Arizona republican., 1919-11-16

one that calls for the utmost delibera-
ton on the part Of those who have
the handling of it.
The commission declines to make
any estimate concerning the probable
date Of completion Of the work and
the probable piece of highway to be
completed first.
No bids are shut out, the commission
says, small bidders having an equal
chance with the larger ones, but it is
his belief that the size of the work
at hand will be too great for small
bidders to manage financially or other
wise.
The following statement is submit
ted by the commission:
Preface to Advertise
Now that the supreme court of
the state has ruled on the laws gov
erning the construction of highways in
the counties of Arizona, the highway
commission for Maricopa county Is
preparing today an advertisement
calling for rock, sand, gravel and &C.
ment. 1t may seem to many citizens
who have been very much interested in
the beginning Of construction of roads
in our county, that there has been
great deal of delay; but on reflection,
the skeptical will discern that there
has been no time lost in the proceed
ings of the commission towards the
beginning Of active construction of
highways.
First, there was no money in the
treasury until September % and the
commission had no authority to ad-
vertise for bids on any material ac-
cording to the state law which governs
their action, until money was on hand
Immediately on the receipt of the
county treasurer of the funds for high
way construction, the commission ad-
vertised for all aggregates entering
into the construction of highways.
When the time arrived for entering
into contract with parties who bid on
such aggregates, the district attorney
advised that in his opinion the law
was too ambiguous to permit of fol-
lowing the lines upon which the COM
mission had been acting, although ad-
vised legally so to act.
Further, when the casual observer
takes into consideration the conglom-
crate mass required to build a mile
of road he will no doubt casually re-
fleet on being guilty of making haste
not justified. We find that the follow
ing is required for road eighteen feet
wide and six inches thick if built OF
cement: 2768 barrels of cement; 1881
cubic yards of rock and gravel; S45
/ cubic yards of sand. 1t is up to some
one either private parties or public
! to install a plant capable of produc-
J ing rock, sand and gravel in n GUAM
tity equal to from 1900 to 1000 cubic
:. yards day if progress is to be made
: in an economical manner in the con-
struction of our highways.
,, Not Doing Any Guessing
While intentions make good news
. items, we believe the commission il
J correct in their attitude not to cues:
at the time when actual construction
OF roads may be begun, as time mus
elapse to permit of installing a rocl
and gravel plant of sufficient capacit,
to deliver aggregates, stone, etc, tt
construct our roads in an economical
, manner; and if the general public 1.
DESTROYS of having their funds accur.
ing from the bond issue, spent in tn,
most business-like manner, they mus
have patience to permit of equipmen
being gathered together to proceed fl
a business-like way; if not, to suffe
a loss which will make great inroad
/ in absorbing the proceeds of thei
bond issues for which they expec
roads.
And not until the decision of thu
supreme court was rendered, ant
available only yesterday, did the com
mission have unquestioned authorit,
to proceed along the lines they hav
in mind to get the most roads for tn
money available"