Graham guardian., 1915-08-27
GOOD ROADS IDEA GROW
ING

ment that is growing so fast all over
the United States is shown by the
bond issues for that purpose that
are being voted in the several
counties of the State.
Last week Gila county by a vote
of two to one decided to issue road
bonds in the sum of $500, 900, and
the good work will commence there
as soon as the money becomes avail
able.
Mohave county has already eX'
pended the proceeds of $4,000
bond issue and is now voting on an
other issue the same size.
Coconino county is discussing an
issue and will probably vote on the
subject next month. Navajo county
will soon vote on a 100000 bond
issue. Apache county has just sold
q second issue of Sl25,000.
Yuma county recently sold $780,
700 worth of bonds and Pinal has
just disposed of $150OOO worth.
Cochise and Pima are at present
deciding how large an issue each of
them shall put on the market. ln
fact, Maricopa and Graham are the
only Arizona counties that have evil
denced no interest in good roads.
Our own county of Greenlee for
several years has been expending
large sums of money in constructing
highways and it is claimed has the
best built roads in the State. The
1915 bond issue of $3.50, 900 is almost
exhausted, but as soon as there is
some assurance that the government
will build forest road another bond
issue will probably be made to build
a connecting line with that national
highway.
The State is also contributing
literally by helping to build bridges
and construct roads on designated
State wide highways. 1t is also
furnishing convict labor for road
building.
The national government is also
building roads and bridges where
the highways cross the national
forests. In 1916 the forest service
will probably construct road thru
Greenlee county costing $3.50, 900 or
$lOO,OO0.
In a few years the State of Ari-
zona will be covered with network
of fine highways that for practical
value and scenic beauty cannot be
equalIed in the United States.
Arizona will then supplant her
less favored but more highly ad-
vertised neighbor on the west and
will become the mecca of the world $
tourists. Clifton Mining journal.
Whenever an article appears in
any of the State papers relative to
building good roads, much is said Of
each county that is going ahead with
this work ,and Graham county invari-
ably appears with Maricopa county,
as the only two counties in the State
that do nothing towards building
new roads.
The above article tells story of
progress that Graham county might
we'll pattern after. Other counties
have issued bonds and have built
fine highways and feeders, and in
several instances, having spent all
their road funds, are preparing for
a new issue of bonds to build more
roads. But nothing of the kind is
occurring in dear old Graham; we
come in on the tail end of the pro-
gressive procession when it comes
to road building, not because we
don't want good roads. rather it is
that we are sleeping, not awake to
our own opportunities and better
ments thakare sure to come with
good roads in the county.
Good roads have accomplished
much for California; have helped
wonderfully in adding to the states
prosperity; increased its population
and industries. What was done by
good roads in California can also
be done in Arizona, and the pity of
IL all is that there are progressive
counties In our State which are kept
back by Graham county and Mari.
copa county.