The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-10-24
ATTORNEY GENERAL
 WRITES OPINION

WnIlE0 UTNlUN
 Wiley E. Jones, attorney general of Arizona has written an opinion citing the law governing state road work, and has forwarded the same to the various boards of supervisors. It reads as follows:
 Board of Supervisors
 Gentlemen:
 The law of Arizona which author izes you to let state highway con- tracts for the construction of any state highway or bridge or extension done by the days wage system at your option, is found in paragraph 5124, Revised Statutes of Arizona, 1913 and reads as follows:
 ''5124. Upon the adoption by the board of control or the board of su- pervisors, under whose directions the work is to be done, of the plans and specifications fer the ccrstruc. tion of any state highway or bridge, or extension thereof, it shall be op- tional with the board of control or board of supervisors, as the case may be, to have any or all work provided for by this act done either by contract or under wage system In case the work IS to be done by contract, it shall be the duty of the said board of control, or board of supervisors to advertise in a news paper published in such county, where the proposed work is located, for sealed proposals for the doing of such work. Such notices shall be given for at least thirty days prior to the opening of such sealed pro- posals, which shall be directed toI the said board of control or the board of supervisors as the case may be and marked state highway con- tract. Upon the opening of such the contract for the work -hall be let to the lowest responsi- ble bidder; provided, however, that the said board of control, or board of supervisors shall have the right to reject any and all bids and may proceed to construct said worl. un- der their own supervision, without contract: !r' >taae the % 1tract is awarded, as herein provided, the successful bidder shall enter into such a contract with the State of Arizona, or the county in which the work is to be done, as may be pre- trol or the board of supervisors, a copy of which shan accompany the plans and specifications. The sue lcessful bidder shall alsof file with the said board of control or the board of supervisors, good and sufficient bond, payable to the State of Arizona, or to the county in a sum not less than twenty-five per cent of the contract price of said work, conditioned upon the faithful performance of said contract''
 Vast responsibilities devolve upon ing the enormous fund of state moneys to be expended in state high way construction. You cannot be too vigilant You must guard against graft and padded payrolls and scan every item of expenditure and ap- prove no item until you are abso- lutely sure it is correct and that it is an honest expenditure. You are chosen by the people of your county and charged with financial respOn sibility which you cannot evade and am sure I voice your sentiments in calling your attention to the gray ity of your duty. The people of Ari- zona demand prompt construction of our state highways, and in pushing this important work with all possi- ble dispatch, do not allow the work of any grafter to get past your vigi- lant eyes.
 This letter refers to the eXpendi- State Road Tax Fund.-, mentioned in our statutes. You should be equally vigilant in the expenditure of your county road tax fund
 A copy of this letter goes to the board of directors of state institu- tions who have like responsibilities in the expenditure twenty five per cent of the State Road Tax Fund, under said paragraph 5124 above set forth as successors of the board of control
 Yours very truly,
 WILEY D. JONES,