Arizona republican., 1920-08-08
MAY BUILD HUGE OBSERVATORY ON NORTHERN PEAK
Road from Flagstaff to San Francisco Peak Is Now Building - Expect Great Observatory to Be Estab- lished

Stems are being taken toward the es- tablishment of the greatest observa- tory in the world on San Francisco Peak in the northern part or Arlzona, according to George w. Harben, for merly assistant attorney general Of Arizona, who recently has been ap- pointed judge advocate fer the mili- tary department of the state
 For several years the government has been considering San Francisco Peak as an ideal site for an observa- tory because of it's height and the clarity of the air. but was handicapped in it's plans because no road leads to the summit according to Major Har- ben. That drawback is now being re- moved by a group of men who are un- dertaking to build a good highway direct from Flagstaff to the top of San Francisco Peak, distance Of about 13 miles. This roadway probably will be cut out roughly by the first of October, and finally prepared for au- tomobile traffic by spring.
 Col John Weatherford owner of ex- tensive properties in Flagstaff and the Salt River Valley, is credited by Major Harben with promoting this road building project and has associated with him such men as Colonel Mur- phy, who built the railroad from Ash Ford to Phoenix, and Colonel Calhoun, a West Point graduate and one of the first engineers to be sent to France by General Pershing- Colonel Calhoun is supervising the survey of the road and has established camp on San Francisco peak from which he sends seismographic signals to Flagstaff telling of the progress of the work
 Major Harben said there was every reason to believe that from a powerful telescope on the summit of San Fran cisco Peak, observations could be made which would definitely establish whether or not Mars and other planets were inhabited
 May Be Greatest Observatory.
 "The atmosphere above the San Francisco Peak is so clear that from the summit very distinct view of the planets can be obtained" Major liar ben explained Looking through a glass from a low altitude Is like look ing through water at the sum- There is a murkiness present which gives the object a certain hazy effect. An observatory located on these peaks would surpass either Greenwich or Mt Lowe and be the greatest in the world"
 But it is not alone to assure the es- tablishment of such an observatory that the road is being built. Colonel Weatherford intends to build a big hotel above the snow line, where a genuine refuge from Arizona heat will be offered, Major Harben said. Guests of the hotel will have an opportunity to experience a round of golf above the clouds and follow the exercise with a plunge in a swimming pool of heat ed water.
 In addition to the government ob- servatory equipment, an additional telescope will be placed in suchS a manner that tourists can get a view of such distant points as Pike's Peak, the San Bernardino mountains, the Grand Canyon, practically all of the state of Arizona, and portions of Cali fornia, New Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado. Utah and old Mex leo, Major Harben declared.
 The federal forest service has grant ed a 25-year permit for the construc- ton of the road and the establishment of the mountain resort, and has grant ed the privilege of renewal.
 During 1919. life insurance companie. in the United States wrote new policie. amounting to $s,7oo. .o00,o o0o-