Deming graphic., 1920-08-17
WE CAN BUILD ROADS

Secretary Asplund Of the Taxpayers
Assoc alton Of New Mexico writes that
he would have MS understand that his
organization Is not opposed 10 good
roads Perhaps we did not read the
statement issued by the associa tion
carefully, at least we did not get" the
plan he outlines in his commun cation
for meeting the federal appropriation
The Graphic has favored the assocla-
tion In Its work in every way and re-
sorted to m Id criticism only when It
seemed that good roads were being dis
cOuraged ON the score OF expense. when
the state Is losing millions yearly be-
cause the farmers In the mountains
keting their crops. True, materials
and labor are high and bonds are beg
ging, but when will these factors cease
to exercise determining influence on
whether we shall have good roads or
bad roads, The factors mentioned are
certainly Overestimated, for Arizona
finds no difficulty in financing its
ROADS, and II Is common knowledge In
southern New Mexico that prosperity
begins at the Arizona.New Mexico
border and II doesn't smile our way.
The Graphic believes that we must
build our roads at any cost and as
quickly as conservative financing viii
allow.
The Graphic stated that II doesn't
know enough about the bond issue tC
pass judgment ON the proposal until
due investigation has been made. The
Graphic objected only to the tone OF
the associations propaganda, which
was calculated to make onr conserva-
tive citizens believe that there should
he cessation in the building Of good
roads on account of the factors men
toned New Mexico Is not likely Ia
spend too much on public improve
mentS of any sort. much less good
roads. This doesn't mean that the
state doesn't waste lot Of money on
public Institutions that provide jobs
for the faithful. The Graphic is for
the elimination of waste, but retrench'
ment that would cripple road building
just gets our goat"
Following Is the communication re-
ferred tO before:
Santa Fe y. NJ. Aug. II, 1920.
McsSrs. Ely x Ramsey.
Publishers, Deming Graphic,
Deming, n. NJ.
Gentlemen:
Your editorial in the Deming Graph
ic Of July Goth, makes me wonder
whether or not you have read care
fully the statement made by the Tax
payers Association with reference tC
the $2,OO0,000 bond issue to be voted
on next fall. In going over our state
ment carefully, | fail to find any JUS
tification for the inference that the
Taxpayers Association is against good
roads. What the Taxpayers, Associa'
tion opposes Is the financing or roads
along unbusinesslike lines. In the
statement issued we attempted TO show
that the issuing of S2,OOOOO in road
bonds at the present time, under condi.
tions as they are and with provisions
rs outlined in the law, New MeXicc
would he paying too much for heI
whistle" The statement might be
subjected TO serious criticism were II
not for the fact that we pointed out the
method whereby federal aid allotments
could be met by continuing the present
three mill county tax levy for one year
1t is not the policy Of the Taxpayers
Association to work In opposition to
any needed improvements or To run
counter to the wishes Of n majority OF
the good people Of New Mexico. we
are In favor of continuous policy OF
building and maintaining good roads
such Il policy per
sistently pursued for period Of ten
years on pay as you go basis" viii
we believe, result In more and better
roads than will policy Of attempting
to build roads during n period OF q
few years when costs OF material and
labor are at a figure that makes IL al
most impossible for the richest state
in the union to succeed in such at
tempts.
Under separate cover | am sending
you a copy Of the Evening Herald OF
July l3. and call your attention TO the
second paragraph thereof.
Yours very truly,