Arizona republican., 1918-07-27
MINES BROUGHT ID STATE GREAT PART
 IF IT'S RAILROADS

The publication of the valuation of the railroads of the state for the pur- pose of taxation, as given out recently. shows some very interesting figures on the valuation of the various railroads and the reasons for their existence.
 The total railroad mileage of Arizona is 2,347.36 miles, valued at S9S,416,663. The main lines of the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe were built across the state between 30 and 40 years old, 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 eXten- sions, no industry in the state can really claim credit for their existence. The mileage represented by these two main lines is SS6.02 miles, with val luation of s56, 14S, ,6S0.
 The scenic beauties of Arizona were responsible for the building of 63.5S miles of road valued at s1,0S0,S60, the Grand Canyon railroad. The lumber in- dustry brought 5 miles, valued at $250 000 this being the lowest valuation per mile of any of the roads in the state. Agriculture brought the Phoe- nix Buckeye line. 92 miles long, and valued at s3,O37,9S0, while the balance of 1.25016 miles, having valuation of S37, ,S99,143 is due to mining.
 The Congress, Poland. Grown King. Clara Consolidated and other mines in that district brought the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix system into being. The United Verde was responsible for the narrow gauge into Jerome and the standard gauge into Clarkdale The Ray Consolidated, Superior, Christmas, ha building of the Arizona Eastern and the Pearce mines entced it south from Cochise. The Old Dominion furnished the incentive 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 & New Mexico were called into being 1 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 main line road. With the exception of Flagstaff Winslow and Yuma and a part of Tue son, every populous town in the state came into being responsive to the mines and the railroads which they built.
 One does not usually think of the large mine operators as railroad oper- ators, but when it is considered tha, almost half of the railroad mileage and valuation in Arizona is due to the min- ing interests, and that primarily but one-tenth is due to all other interests put together, the realization comes ir their general development.
 The largest railroad builder among the mine operators is the Phelps Dodge corporation, which alone has brought 25 per cent of the roads of the state that are due to the mines. 2S0 miles with valuation of s11.285. 120. These
 roads also have the reputation of hay ing the cleanest and best road bed. It is interesting to note the number of agricultural districts in the stat,
 whose prosperity is chiefly due to tn,
 existence of the railroads which tn, mines brought. The Gila Valley on tn, Ariozna Eastern, the Sulphur Spring!
 Valley on the Fl Paso & Southwestern
 the fine farming country around Dun
 can on the New Mexico and Arizona aod numerous others. Of course it i
 not entirely one sided. as agriculture i necessary to the improvement of min ing camps: one is necessary to the oth
 CT and their interests are closely inter woven.