Bisbee daily review., 1919-02-23
900 Road Fund to
 Be AUdiLGbLe at Once

PHOENIX. Ariz.. Feb. 22-A nos sible fund of S3,4OO. 900 for road an6 bridge building in the state. S4OO .OOC of which, in all likelihood. will he immediately available, and employ, ment for 500 more men within inc next 60 days, was the situation as out lined today by Representatives M Delbridge Of Bisbee.
 Delbridge gave the estimates in an, | swer to a question as to whether the Cochise delegation in sthe legislature would press for action on the telegram rom Bisbee read yesterday, urging a levy of S3.OOO,OOO this year for road construction 10 take care of the un- employment situation. which, the tele- 1 gram said. was serious and becoming more critical.
 The $3,4OO.OOO possible road fund mentioned by the Bisbee representa- | tive Is made up as follows: S2OO. 900 in ] a senate emergency bill which is ex- pected to receive prompt action in the house and which is being aDproDri- ated to match S200.OOO of federal gov ernment funds. CT S4OO. 900 in all: an other road appropriation measure for state roads carrying $1.5OO.OOO and the enabling bill, which will allow coun- ties to levy up to two mills on the dollar for road purposes to work in conjunction with the government.
 Federal Aid Available
 If the limit of two mills is mi on by the counties, Delbridse says. 1t would provide another million and a half to add to the states million and a half, all of which would be available when the taxes come in next fall. The immediate funds would come from the states emergency bill for S2OO. 900 and the federal appropriation to match
 Delb-ldge went over the road build ing possibilities with State Engineer HolmQuist- from whom. he asserts. he learned that with present equip- ment and funds the state could em- plOy not to exceed more than 200 men on its highways and bridge cOnstruc- ton
 Holmquist- however. pointed out that plans for new road out of Yuma. which twice had been rejected by the federal government. had been altered third time and were waiting ap- prOval at Washington The engineer said he felt sure they would be ap- proved as changed. and if they went through he would be able to take care of another 4G0 men on that project making a total of 600 men for whom work would be available in the near future
 No especial funds have been set aside 10 cooperate with the federal government on the Yuma road. but it was DeibridSe's TpiniOn that the SsOO.- 900 measure now in the legislature would be applied to that work
 HClmquist said that the approval of the Yuma road plans by the federal authorities would mean that the state would have to acquire new equipment. but he estimated that this all could be gotten together and work started within 60 days from the date Wash ingtOn endorsed the plans
 422 Now Working
 According to DeIhTidge. HOlmuuiSt estimated that he had 422 men em- plOyed in six road gangs throughout the state. as follows:
 Tempe highway. and S6-IOO miles in all. two miles finished. 100 men.
 Mesa and Superior road, Surfscing work for a total of 30 miles. s0 miles of which Is yet to be completed. 60 men This project also includes a bridge tO be built over Queen creek. on which the estimate Is S25.uOO
 Tombstone road, three miles. s0 men.
 Clifton and SOlomOnyiIle road. S5