Arizona republican., 1917-03-01

1t proposes a dollars worth of roads every dollar
invested. 1t meets the objections of many to liberal
appropriations for roads the ground that such
appropriations only that money is to be
wasted in carelessness, ignorance
We speaking of the bill creating county high
way commissions. introduced into the senate last
Saturday by the committee agriculture irrigation
and roads, and into the house Monday. by Mr..
FARES of ella county
The appointment of such commission is to be
precedent to election the proposition of issuing
bonds under the provisions Of existing W.
Under the pending bill, the commission is to be APP
pointed least ninety days before the election The
commission will consist of three members appointed
by the board of supervisors for of two years
but they be removable by the supervisors
The commissioners be freehoders and residents
of the county In the of the failure the road
bonds to carry the commission expires automatically
A member of the board of supervisors be
member of the commission Though the commissioners
to serve without compensation they required
to give bond for the faithful performance of their
duties
Such conditions, it may be seen. would attract
only who have genuine interest in the public
service, of responsibility who not only con-
cerned in the business of good also in the
conservation of the public funds The commissioner
ship would be which small CRATER or the
who does not look beyond the salary would not
want
The duties the commission win begin with its
organization The will be an investigation of the
main highways of the county and such other roads
be specified in the call election A map
shall be prepared showing location of these high
ways, and such other data shall gathered as the
commission may deem necessary.
The commission may employ a competent en-
gneer and for the preparation the maps
and data which least twenty days before the cleo
ton shall be Incorporated in a detailed statement to
the board of supervisors which shall make publica-
ton of the report least before the cleo
ton.
An amendment to the present law relating to road
bond issues is found in the following provision: NO
defect irreguarty omission in any Of the pro-
ceedings prior the calling of such election shall
affect the validity Of bonds" For the purposes
Of the bond election the board of supervisors may
establish bond election precnts
The bonds, if voted shall be sold in the manner
already prescribed by law and the proceeds shall be
put into special Highway Improvement Fund
to be devoted exclusively purpose though any
surplus is to be turned into the general fund All
money expended in highway improvements shall be
paid by the county treasurer on orders from the
highway commission.
The commission shall determine the character Of
the improvements 10 be made. shall prepare plans and
advertise for bids and shall require bonds from con-
tractors The commission shall file semi annual de-
tailed statements the board Of supervisors COW
ering all the commissions proceedings and operations
In this bill the public interests are thoroughly
safe guarded and way is pointed out for the con-
sruction Of permanent good roads along systema tic
lines Such a commission would accept office under
the terms Of the bill would to it that the good
roads fund was spent where would do the greatest
good 70 the greatest number and that wherever it
might be spent. there would be fun value returned
for il