Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-01-16

places of many have been filled. but
restoration of these positions in all
cases would seriously disturb economic
conditions. What then is to be done?
The federal government urges this and
every other state to embark on the
construction CT public work on large
scale, laying particular emphasis on
the reclamation of land and the build
ing of roads. In furtherance of this
most worthy idea, Secretary of the In
terror Lane, has recommended to con-
gress for enactment bill known as
The Soldiers Settlement Act" with
the provisions of which, doubtless you
arc familiar. In brief the measure
provides for joint cooperation by fed
eral and state governments to Pro
vide employement and home for sol
der. sailors and marines, under which
the state shall furnish the land and the
United States the funds: with an al
tentative proposition so that the states
may participate further in furnishing
funds and also in supervising the en-
ployment and settlement of these
lands
The irrigation projects in the upper
and lower ella valleys, the San Carlos
storage project. the Parker project on
the Colorado and others OF lesser i'm
pOrtance capaDIe or retaining in the
aggregate of not less than half mil
lion acres, could, with government aid,
provide homes for many of the soldiers,
according to the reports submitted to
this office by the state land commits
| sioner. There is not enough state land
| OF the desired character available and
| therefore, resort must be had to acre
age either under federal or private
ownership. This is a matter, however
| that with care can be satisfactorily
worked out. The point is that the
problem confronts US. but money be-
/ y6nd the bond limitation is necessary
/ to solve it. \ conference is to be held
in Salt Lake City the 18th of this
( month which will be attended by repre-
/ SentativeS from all the arid and semi
arid states. Plans will be outlined for
cooperation with the federal govern
ment for the reclamation and develop
| ment of lands within the Colorado
river drainage area. l have appointed
Il representative degelation. which. no
doubt, will return with many valuable
ideas which can be utilized in the
framing of legislation designed to meet
local conditions.
There have been many suggestions
relative to the action the state should
take. but I confidently expect that
some feasible plan will be the out
| growth of this conference, and there
fore. perhaps at q, later date | will of
fer some concrete ideas on the subject.
The necessity of good roads is axio-
matte and calls for no argument Cali
fornia. our sister commonwealth, has
materially enhanced her prosperity
with her great highway system. Today
California is the worlds greatest play
ND . Il
tourists are attracted not only by its
scenic beauty, but also by reason of
the fact that natures wonders are
easily accessible over the finest roads
in the world. Nature likewise has been
prodiSal with her gifts to Arizona
The Grand Canyon-that awe-inspir-
ing chasm painted in wonderful colors
| by the Master Artist of the Universe.
the Painted Desert, the Petrified For
est and the Roosevelt dam are only a
few of the many attractions We can
offer tourists. But they cannot be en-
jOyed by the people of the state or
I turned to commercial advantage unless
good roads lead to them. Good roads
are synonymous with good business
They are like sound Investments in
the first instance calling for the eX-
penditure of much money but yielding
large future returns Transportation
! costs are materially decreased and the
producer-either farm, ranch, range or
mine-is correspondence benefited
| from a financial standpoint
I have discussed the road question
at greater length in another part of
! this message, but touch upon it here
simply to make clear my position that
the bonded debt limitation is a serious
handicap to our progress. Neither can
We take advantage of the proposal OF
the secretary of the interior with this
obstacle in our way. There are also
other projects which make imperative
the removal of the bond limitation.
The period of reconstruction is at hand
We can neither sidestep our duty, nor
avoid travelling the great road leading
to our destiny. We must build wisely
and well, content not with meeting the
demand of the present, but with an eve
single to the problems and conditions
of the future. If the foundation is not
of durable material, the structure
erected thereon cannot be permanent.
ON plans must be 50 drawn that the