Weekly journal-miner., 1918-07-31
RAILROADS COME IN HE WAKE
 OF MINES
(From Tuesdays Gaily.)

The publication of the valuation Of the railroads of the state for the pur- pose of taxation, as given out recent ly, shows some very interesting fig ures on the valuation of the various railroads and the reasons for their existence.
 The total railroad mileage of Ari- zona is 2,347.36 miles, valued at $9S,- 416,663. The main lines of the South ern Pacific and the Santa Fe were built across the state between 30 and 40 years ago, not for the purpose of serving Arizona, but as a means of reaching the west coast, and while these main lines have served as the basis for further railroad extensions. no industry in the state can really claim credit for their existence. The mileage represented by these two main lines is SS6.O2 mines, with a val nation of S56,14S,6S0.
 The scenic beauties of Arizona were responsible for the building of 63 5S miles of road valued at S1 ,0SO,- S6O. the Grand Canyon railroad. The lumber industry brought $ miles, val ued at S25O,OO0, this being the low est valuation per mile of any of the roads in the state. Agriculture brought the Phoenix-Buckeye line, @ miles long, and valued at S3.O3I, : 9S0. while the balance of l.25OIo miles having a valuation of S37 ,S99,- 143 IS due to mining.
 The Congress, Poland, Grown King, Clara Consolidated and other mines in this district brought the Santa Fc. Prescott X Phoenix system into being. The United, Verde was responsible for the narrow guage into Jerome and the standard guage into Clarkdale. The Ray Consolidated, Superior, Christmas, and London properties caused the building ot the Arizona Eastern and the Pearce mines enticed it south from Cochise. The Old Dominion furnished the incen- tive for the Arizona Eastern from Bowie. later heightened by the Miami and Inspiration. The Imperial mine coaxed the railroad south from Red Rock. and the lines Of the Arizona X New Mexico were called into beng by the Clifton mines. The New Cor nelia made necessary the line from Gila Bend to Ajo. while the Phelps Dodge properties brought the Fl Paso & Southwestern, another man line road. With the exception of Flagstaff. Winslow and Yuma and Dart of Tucson. every populous town in the state came into being respon- sivc to the mines and the railroads which they built.
 One does notusually think of the large mine operators as railroad oper- ators. but when it is considered that almost half of the railroad mileage and valuation in Arizona IS due to the mining interests, and that primar- ilv but one-tenth Is due to all other interests put together. the realization comes in their general development
 The largest railroad builder among the mine operators is the Phelps Dodge corporation, which alone has brought 2 per cent of the roads oi the state that are due to the mines, 2SO miles. with a valuation Of Sll,- 2S512O. These roads also have the reputation of having the cleancst and best road bed.
 It is interesting to note the num- Der of agricultural districts in the state whose prosperity is chiefly due to the existence of railroads which the mines brought The Gila Valley on the Arizona Eastern, the Sulphur Springs Valley on the Fl Paso X Southwestern. the fine farming coun- try around Duncan on the New Mex ico and Arizona. and numerous oth- CTS. Of course it is not entirely ono sided. as agriculture is necessary to the improvement of mining capps:: one is necessary to the other and their interests are closely interwoven.