The copper era and Morenci leader. [volume] (Clifton, Ariz.) 1911-1929, 1919-12-19
(By S. c. Redd)

For several years we believe that
Greenlee County has enjoyed having
the best highways of any county in
Arizona. This is source of pride
and qualification to every one but
we hope that it will not be a source
of contentment to any one. We must
realize that we are one of the small
est counties, and have the smallest
road system, while we are compara-
lively very rich county, 1t is true
that the roads from Clifton to Nor
enci Metcalf and Duncan. are fine
roads, but are these roads enough?
Do they really develop all the re-
sources of the county? The High
way Commission; proposes to con
struct a road up Wards Canon and
to build concrete structures over all
the waterways between Clifton and
Franklin, which will practically per-
feet the main artery of the county;
they also are building the road from
Morenci to the pump station on
IdSlO IllfCl. Although Ilio lOou
does not benefit the entire county
as does the road to Franklin, it is n
great boon to the people in Morenci
and a direct benefit to the Morenci
Water Company and to various small
interests in Gold Gulch between Nor
enci and Eagle River. 1t is also
proposed to build a road up the
Frisco River, which will be a direct
benefit to the town of Clifton, as
well as to the people living up the
river. 1t will be the greatest chance
for recreation for the children in
the warm weather possible and an
outing for the grown-ups as well.
The supervisors are constructing
one of the most important roads for
the improvement of the district pos
sible The road to Springerville.
when opened up, will develop a larg-
er part of the county than is now
covered by the present road system.
It will give access to the best For
est Reserve in the whole state. The
beautiful country and climate OF the
region through which this road will
pass will be unsurpassed in the sfhO,e
West And the tourist traffic that
will come through Clifton on account
OF this road will be enormous.
Do not let us be contented when
the above projects ARE completed.
These roads, when completed, will
have to be maintained, and as traffic
increases, they will have to be i'm
proved. Other roads will come Up
for consideration, the most important
of vi ich probably, will be the Mog-
ollon road. With various interests in
Grant County antagonistic to this pro-
ject at present, it will be very diff
cult to put through now; but the time
will soon come when the construc-
ton of this road will be imperative.
II the figures given us by the Mine
managers at Mogollon are exact we
can believe that they could have con-
structed the road through Grant Coun-
tv on their own initiative and the
saving to them in transportation
charges already would have paid for
+he construction Besides, there
would be a large amount of tourist
traffic diverted at Deming, through
Silver City. which item, our friends at
Silver City. seem to have overlooked.
Other counties in the state have
ro+od and ra voting bOnd issues that
run into millions. preparing to build
roads Of the highest standards, in
great many cases to pave some of the
roads so built as well as pave some
of the roads already built, and which
are unable to keep up under present
traffic All Of these counties are
striving hard to get a share of the
Federal Aid, which will greatly in
crease the funds they propose to
spend. It is true that we will get
between. seventy FIVE and one hundred
thousand dollars, a very fair amount
considering the amount of money we
have available. but a small portion OF
tbe total allowance for the state OF
Arizona which is nearly four million
dollars. If we sit still as we are. in
q few years. Green1ee County will be
wav behind in the standard of its
roads. Let us keep the standard we
have always had and keep ahead. Our