Arizona republican., 1921-04-19
MANY IDLE MEN MAY GE I WORK LIN STATE ROADS
Plan of Cooperation Be tween the State and Counties May Go Far to Remedy Unemployment Situation

Many idle men will be put to work on the Superior Miami highway, if plans of cooperation between the state highway department and the supervisors of Gila county are car ried into effect. as now seems likely These plans call for the use of coun- ty forces and equipment on a section of the road near the Miami end, thus supplementing the employment which will be given under the contract re- gently awarded to S. Y. Faucett for the construction of one mile of heavy road building. It is hoped to have the county advance funds sufficient to carry on the work until July 1, when 75 per cent road funds will be available.
 This cooperation between state and county is in line with the gen eral policy of the state engineer to start construction work throughout the state as soon as possible, thus aiding in the solution of the unem- ployment problem.
 As a further step in this direction the highway department has taken up with the federal bureau of public roads the possibility of allowing con- tracts to be let on federal aid prof ects, with the provision that one third of the estimate may be paid in county bonds. Some of the counties have been unable to sell their road bonds, but under the proposed ar engagement this would not interfere with the letting of contracts and Im- mediate construction A similar situ- ation with reference to city paving has been met in a like manner. In view of the fact that federal funds are not as a rule available until three or four months after the completion of the work, it is believed that the federal road authorities will be will | ing to accede to the plan suggested Favorable consideration would mean much for Apache county at this time The county bonds have not
 been sold, but If permission is se- cured to pay off the contractors In part in bonds. it will mean the con- struction of s75.000 worth of roads
 Building Is Resumed
 l Furnishing employment for a mum Der of carpenters and concrete work CTS, the department has resumed con- struction on the two-story office building at the central storage yards of the department. This work was shut down iast fall, owing to a short age of funds. It has been resumed under a novel offer of the men thaf they would be willing to work unti July 1, without a pay day, preferrins regular employment with deferred pay to idleness which otherwise would have been their lot. This plar
 had it's inception with Foreman J. C
 Webb. who had charge of the publi' service hospital work at Tucson.
 A large amount of second han' lumber, which has been used on vari ous bridge jobs, will be used in tn construction, thereby materially re
 ducing the costs. The basement an'
 first floor of concrete was finisha
 last year. The superstructure vii be a skeleton reinforced concrete with hollow tile or concrete curtai' walls.
 This building is needed not onl,
 for the office force of the highwa,
 department but to house the stat
 land department. and other office
 now occupying crowded quarters a
 the capitol building. The land de
 partment is occupying a bungalow
 on the capitol grounds. a building