Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1918-12-01
The Duty of Communities

Not long ago The Republican urged upon the
people of this community the necessity of taking
flying start" after the war. The advice was d-
rocted then rather 10 individuals was pointed out
that those who took places in the front rank would
Ae likely to keep them; that those of the rear would
find it difficult il not impossible, to catch UP. We
were then speaking moro directly of the Importance
ot carly private enterprise.
1t is just important that communities should
Doe forward n this that public enterprises
whose abandonment was forced by the war should be
rosumod and Of these important enterprises there
is none more vital to growth and prosperity than
road building
The government which a year ago though rec
osnzins the need of good roads greater need than
had over been felt, was constrained by the more
pressing needs of "a nation at war to limit highway
improvements. but it has lately removed all restric-
tons regarding the supply and transportation of ma
tcraIs and it is expected that it will shortly modify
if t does not wholly remove the restrictions which
have been placed through the Capital Issues commit
Gee the sales Of bonds for such improvements
a recent statement by the War Priorities board
calls attention to the absolute necessity for improved
highways to supplement transportation systems.
more readily to bring together the products of farm
and mill 20 transportation centers for, for several
years to- come. there will he this country such a
movement Of commodities as we had never
dreamed off,
There lis still another and very powerful rea-
SON why highway Improvement and other public
works construction should be put under way as
quickly possible It is a patriotic duty and an
economic necessity An outlet must be made for the
great volume of labor that viii shortly be restored
Within year million young will come back
rom Europe. More than million viii be returned
from the training camps Of this country. The great
bulk of these men went from farm and shop to the
war or into auxiliary service. Their going created
disturbing vacancy for a time but their places have
all been filled The places of thousands of them have
7ccn taken by women. Thousands Of middle-aged
or older who had been unked in favor of younger
men were rescued from the scrap heap. have shown
their efficiency and have proved to the country its
former wicked waste Of man-power.
These older men and women will in a great meas
ure be retained in the places whore they have made
good SO there must be places made for the soldiers
who are returning to civil life This is problem that
would adjust itself in time, but it will require mme-
date adjustment The situation will not admit of
slow evolutionary processes. 1t is the duty Of every
community TO solve its share of the unemployment
question and it Will be for its own local good that if
solves ii.
1T can solve it only by creating employment and
1T can create it only by the undertaking OF import
ant public works, which will be the more valuable
the more quickly they constructed
The war found this community embarked on
good roads movement The county board super
visors had consented to call bond election for
S2oo00oo Of bonds It met with general favor. es
peeialIy after the appointment Of a committee to
have charge Of the work, 50 that it was made sure
that every dollar would be properly expended and
mat we would be given foot of good roads the
money would buy.
We are an in fun appreciation of the need of
them of the farmers need Of them to bring the pro-
ducts Of This fruitful valley into touch with the con-
sumner in this and other markets Then came the war
and with patriotic sef-denial the project was post
poneo' even before the government had taken steps
tQ postpone an contemplated Improvement
The war is over now and we should with the
least possible delay resume this enterprise which
means so much to the city and the valley
Our Place In the Conference