Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1920-01-10
SATURDAY MORNING. JANUARY 10. 1920.
Discretion is the salt, and fancy,
the sugar of life; the one preserves,
the other sWeetens it. -Bovee.
The Proposed County Highways


County Highway Commission Tor the immense road
building program which this county undertaken.
No body of in AIaricops county has ever
been called upon make more important decision
than which the highway commission has to make
in considering bids. When consider the fact
that assuming there 100000 of irrigated
lands Marcopa county and that the bond issue
Of four million represents a debt against each
IF practically thirteen dollars. appreciate how
vital the of the highway commission on this
road question every taxpayer in the county.
is we'll known The Republican has long been
a consistent advocate well established
permanent highways. preferably cement con-
crete similar the roads now being laid so
successfully California, a highway composed of
cement concrete which laid unpatented
mixture proved OF asphaltc concrete or
bitun1inous concrete we today. and have been,
consistently opposed roads with loose compressed
rock base roads laid under patents which in
yoIve a large royalty.
What the people want is that type permanent
which will give them the maximum service and
life at the minimum OF expense believe that
il is the of opinion of the engineers of
experience highway construction that the cement
concrete road laid under proper specifications, and
with thoroughgoing honest inspection is the type
Of viii give the best results for the money
involved.
The highway commission met with very hard
problem in their endeavors TO work out such a
sonable cement viii put them in posi-
cement a
their
The specifications for cement concrete roads
provide, very properly. that what is known a
l-2-4 mix of cement concrete, six inches in thick
eighteen width there shall be las
barrels per cubic yard. This
26o4 barrels of cement mile, if the entire
rs miles of the project built of cement
under these specifications. 10000 barrels
81 cement would be used. If sixteen foot road,
which understand the commission proposes is
quilt, this amount OF viii be reduced pro-
,ortionately.
quite probable on many
feeder which heavy traffic
involved the commission could lay advantage
asphatic bitumnous concrete road. unpatented.
all heavily travelled highways
cement probably 500, 900 barrels
would be used in the project.
The present this Maricopa
county points from points of manufacture in Cali
sornia and Texas is s640 per ton. The commission
very properly been endeavoring obtain a
, $500 per Administration on
he definite understanding that this purely
for a public improvement purpose. and shall not
apply commercially.
The development brought about through the con-
sruction of this road system will be
advantage to the railroads, earnestly hope
hat they may grant the request of the highway
commission. they o saving over the
present rate would be involved of 45c per barrel
Sl.104 per mile, and if 220 miles of the project or
practically so cent Of the entire mileage
built of cement concrete this reduced con-
would a saving of construc-
ion $4,000
There is question in the world that the people
Of this county. rule, relying getting
the main highways cement concrete, there
also question in the world that they behind
The commission in their efforts bring about a
reduction in the this important
public project.
We believe, in view of Importance of
the results involved in the decision commits
sion the type of roads the received
next Monday, that the best thing could do would
De call into consultation engineers large
experience in highway construction whose sound
advice would be of value them decision.
We believe that Mr. Mcdonald head the Federal
Highway Bureau would allot a import
consultation on this matter perhaps Mr..
Darlington, the present head California High
Say Commission, a of very large experience and
sound judgment could be induced consult with the
commission at this time. Such would certainly
DC of assistance at this critical
period.
Divided Counsel