The copper era and Morenci leader., 1916-09-29

connecting highways, it will serve to develop a section rich in natural re- sources. For it's 2,000,OO0,OO0 and more feet of timber within this coun- ty it will provide access to a market. It will render accessible large areas of agricultural land upon which can be utilized the waters of Blue and Eagle Rivers and part of the waters of Black River. These waters of con- siderable volume now running to waste will be stored for irrigation, fluming and the development of cleo trical energy.
 Located on the divide between the Blue and Eagle rivers, this proposed highway will serve scores of ranchers representing investments in live stock and real estate assessed at very nearly $1,000,000.00.
 The Clifton-Morenci Mining Dis trict, at the southern terminus of the road, has population of approxi- mately 16,000 in radius of 1-2 miles and an assessed valuation of over $2S, ,000 ,000e0' This Mining District is now using annually 20,000,000 feet, B. M., of lumber and mining timber, paying from S9 to S12.50 per m freight charges.
 (c) 1. The proposed road is locate ed in the northern half of Greenlee county, Arizona, and, with the excep- | tion of eight miles, is entirely within the Apache National Forest. (See ac- ] companying map of Greenlee county) 1 g. From the Town of Morenci it runs in a northerly direction up Chase Creek to the divide between the Blue and Eagle Rivers, thence along the divide to the northern boundary of Greenlee County at a point approximately seven miles south west of the Town of Alpine in Apache county. It will be approximately seventy miles in length, and the road gradient should not exceed six per cent. No estimate has been made Of it's probable cost.
 B. in addition to furnishing short connecting link between Northern and Southern Arizona and New Mex ico, it will connect the Clifton-Mo- renci-Metcalf district with numerous small communities and ranches on the water sheds of the San Francisco, B ue Eagle and Black rivers
 (d) The County of Greenlee pro- poses to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of Agri- culture for the construction of this cad from Morenci to the northern boundary of Greenlee county with the understanding that each party to the qzreement is to furnish fifty per cent Of the total cost of location and con- struction.
 Immediately following the signing of this agreement, Greenlee County proposes to take the necessary steps to begin and complete the construc- tion of the road from Morenci to the Southern boundary of the Apache Ma ticnal Forest, with the understanding that the Secretary of Agriculture will prosecute the construction of the road on the Apache Forest with equal promptness. The location and con- struction between Morenci and the Apache Forest will be done by and at the expense of Greenlee County, and the amount expended thereon will be considered as part of the fifty per cent to be contributed by said county toward the aggregate cost of the completion of the highway.
 When the Secretary of Agriculture has expended a similar amount in location and construction of this road upon the Forest. then the County of Greenlee proposes to enter into such an arrangement for the fur ther prosecution of the work as may be satisfactory to the Secretary of Agriculture to complete construction of the road on the Apache Forest, each party to the agreement furnish ing fifty per cent of the total cost of such location and construction.
 Greenlee county has an area of 1900 square miles, with an assessed valuation of $32,O00,00O. In pro portion to area and road mileage, it is in A ri- zona. Its people are in favor of the construction of permanent highways, having twice approved the issuance of bonds for such purpose. At the General Election in 1914 it was the only county in the State that voted favorably on the proposed State bond tissue of S5,000,000. %. In 1915 they approved by a vote of nearly 2 to 1 a bond issue of $150,000 for road con- struction, and it is generally conced- ed that Greenlee county has for years lead all the other counties of the State in permanent road construc- ton and in economy of cost thereof. |.
 We desire particularly to call the attention of the Honorable Secretary of Agriculture to the following facts and conditions:
 1. The largest unbroken, virgin forest, rich in natural resources, lies within the boundaries of the Apache md Datil reservations.
 }. On the southern boundary of these reservations is one of the larg- est mining districts of the state; af- fording a ready market for all forest products. particularly lumber.
 3 The proposed Morenci-Metcalf Springerville Highway will be the North and South connection between the two translate East and West highways, and will become a strong link in our State and interstate high way system.
 4. The Board of Supervisors, the Greenlee County Chamber of Com merce and the taxpayers of this coun- ty are ready and willing to cooperate