Arizona republican., 1920-05-26
ROAD CONSTRUCTION HERE NOT HAMMERED SERIOUSLY AS IN EAST

While shortage and high cost of abor, shortage of railway cars and un- certainty of transportation and lack of competition in bidding are handicaping road construction in Arizona, the situa- lion here is not as serious as in many other states. In addition to these handicaps many others confront road commissioners, many having been forced to abandon their proposed pro- gram.
 This is the situation that exists in New York, according to a letter sent Governor Smith by Frederick Stuart Green, road commissioner, a copy of which was forwarded Thomas Mad dock. state engineer, yesterday.
 The letter follows:
 To His Excellency, Gov. Alfred F.
 Smith, and the Taxpayers of the
 State of New York:
 In November, 1919, this commission outlined it's road construction policy for 1920 and published program of individual roads proposed to be con- structed- This program was based on and with the hope that conditions would not be materially different from those of 1919.
 In accordance with that published program four lettings have been held covering TO highways, but only 30 ac- ceptable bids were received. and these lettings showed that there was little or no competition among contra ctors. Tn the last letting of April 15, including , new highways, only five acceptable proposals were received. Since then there have been sharp advances in the cost of materials.
 After a careful analysis of the situa- ton it is evident that it is not good business or for the best interests of the state to continue the proposed program, this rrlfc SiO has dnfa7-F1offlaH withdraw all roads advertised for new construction in the letting of May 3 and wishes to announce that there will be no further new roads offered for con struction until the situation shows a decided change for the better.
 Advertisements for maintenance work will be continued and it is pro- posed to devote every energy of the department to the completion of exist ing construction contracts and the maintenance and repair of our present road system.
 The conditions which have forced this commission to defer new construc- ton are briefly al follows:
 Shortage and high cost of labor.
 Shortage of railway cars and uncer- tainty of transportation.
 Lack of competition in bidding
 Seemingly unjustifiable advance in cost of materials.
 Commercial quarries restricting out put and in some instances closing down
 Necessity of assuring-by utilizing labor which would otherwise be di- verted to new work-the completion of the maintenance program which be- cause of the present condition of our highways is an economic necessity and more essential than new construction
 The obligation of the state to pro- tect existing contracts from labor shortage by not offering new work al advanced prices in competition, thus nsuFing the completion of all existing contracts. At present there are 1Ss uncompleted but active contracts witl approximately 600 miles unfinished. II he policy is pursued of constantly in sreasing estimates and permitting con- tractors to bid against themselves al sver increasing prices, the same condi- ton would be created that existed from 1915 to 1919. when there were broker down and abandoned contracts, repre-