Arizona republican., 1920-11-24

sno not until Fob. 10 did We finally get approval Of 40 cent per ton rate on stone aggregate, which cut the rate in slLece at that time to approximately gram.
 We re-advertised and received bids on March 10 but one bid was pre- senteo-oy Warren Bros This bid was ne9ected and we again called for bids april zz, at which time we received bids from Warren Bros, Twohy Bros. and few small concerns. and awarded tne contract to Twohy Bros Co on May g.
 The highway commission was at no ume annoyed by criticism, if there was such, as we knew that such criticism was made with the best of intentions. We also knew that to make a declara- tion in public as to what we intended 70 do or were trying to do, would prove most costly to the taxpayers of our county. We sought and received com petition in the various types of road way and accepted the contract which we deemed the best, everything being Considered. The ten days delay from Aprily 22 to May was caused by the time required to compute the unit prices submitted by the various bidders and the time consumed by attorneys to ad- wise us fntelligently as to the legality of bids submitted. The highway com mission did not think at that time, nor cd they now, that any time was wasted in taking ten days to arrive at a definite conclusion, as we believe that a contract involving $4,00O, 900 rlghtfully demands the fullest consid- eration before final action is taken. As we absolutely refused to divulge what we were trying to do. we are now able to show you the result of our idea at the beginning in planning the highway system of this county. You have seen today, being done what the highway commission were trying to do. You have seen in operation our idea Of constructing our highways, and in no other manner in our judgment could these roadways be constructed in any reasonable length of time. There can be no question as to the contractors ability to complete the entire program within the period specified in his con- tract
 To more fully protect the interests of the taxpayers of the county. the highway commission has required all inspectors, as well as other employees holding any position of responsibility. 10 give bond to the county. We have not done this through fear of any of those employees embedding any of the roads. but rather to support such let tern of recommendation as they may have. and if for any reason they cannot obtain bond from any reputable bond ing house. we do not want their serv- Ices. From personal experience in busi- ness we always found this method the best recommendation.
 It is we'll xnwn to all present that the most uncertain conditions that have existed in this country for many years was from July, 1919. to March, 1920, which resulted in the most difficulty In securing any number of contractors who might be responsible, to bid on the construction of our entire program of roads.
 Secretary A. F. Jones of the com mission supplemented the remarks of the chairman by presenting a copy of a report by the commission to the hoard of supervisors outlining briefly the operations of the commission:
 The following is a copy of the report of the commission to the board of su- pervisors read by Secretary Jones:
 May 12, 1920. Board of Supervisors of Maricopa Ce.
 Phoenix, Ariz.
 Gentlemen:
 Early in the month of March. 1919 tho highway commission was appointed hy your honorable body to submit mar
 
 copa county. We based our estimated cost upon the state of California cos of construction at that time. As al will concede. there has been consid erable advance in road material ant construction during the past year. .Th' incentive for road construction througl out the country was largely based upoi the necessity of creating labor for tn Unemployed. as the best authorities il the country assumed that when wa industries closed down there would b a vast population thrown out of em ployment. and in order to afford tn opportunity for obtaining a livelihoo for the supposed unemployed, whic was an assured fact. based upon condi tons as they were then, the questio Of constructing highways was the fore most argument with governing bodie business organizations and the pres throughout the country. 1t seems tn reverse conditions have existed, inas much as labor became more scare than during the war industries as we as a sharp advance in all materials fC construction work resulting in pr6 portionate advance in price by cor struction companies.
 After receiving bids on the 22d April. 1920. 4or the construction of ti authorized program of highways MarlCOpa county, We Ilnu mat the D of Twohy Brothers for completed roaC ways, including culverts, will COT struct roadways in mileage, of cemei concrete, in the following widths al thiclnesses.
 Six Inches ThiclS-16 1t. roadways, miles; it. roadways. 100 miles. IT tai. 16S miles.
 Five Inches Thick--16 it. roadway s2 miles: ft. roadways, 100 miles. T tai. 1S2 miles.
 Four Inches ThiclS-16 1t. roadway 1Of miles; it. roadways, 100 miles. T tai, POI miles.
 The exact mileage of the road pr gram, as laid out by the highway cor mission. when the surveys are cor plete, amounts to 283 miles.
 If roadways should be construct inches thick, the funds availab would leave 115 miles of the progrs unimproved If constructed 5 inch thick, would leave 101 miles unin proved; if constructed 4 inches Ihi' would leave S2 miles unimproved.
 To complete the program of roa as laid out, of cement concrete, 10 ft wide and inches thick, for the I naining 115 miles, would require 5 a6s,l4s.9O: for the 1D1 miles 16 f, wide, but 5 inches thick, would reqf $2.557, ,93s12; for the S2 miles, 16 f. wide, but inches thick, would requ 31,825, ,924.34 These figures are eli mating federal aid from our progri and allowing $266,000 for overhead complete the 2S3 miles of roadway;