Arizona republican., 1921-01-26
NEED OF EFFORT ID REPAIR OLD
 TRAIL IS SHOWN
s. P. Official Declares Rail- road Has Been Forced To Stop Sending Tourists Over Apache Trail

concerning the condition of the Apache Trail have been made to officials of the Southern Pacific Railroad com pany that it has been forced to dis continue ell its advertising of the fam ous highway from Roosevelt to Phoe- nix, and urging chat the people of this section make every effort. with what assistance they may be able to get from the railroad company and other interested organizations, to put this highway in such shape that it may again take It's place among the great scenic roads of the west. Press Bancroft, district freight and passenger agent for tho Southern Pacific and Arizona Eastern railways, explained at the weekly meeting of the Kiwanis club yesterday at the |. M. c. A. why the Southern Pacific cannot undertake 70 repair the highway at It's own ex- pense. Bancroft's speech and expIana- ton came as an interesting feature of tho trado-t talks instituted lately by the club.
 Phoenix is undoubtedly a commer- cial center. said Bancroft in opening hls remarks. "but it is well to remem- Der that repeated tests have shown that over long distances and grades the truck cannot compete with the railroad. This is particularly true of the country
 
 Phoenix, but this particular highway, mentioned ais it has been before the members of the Kiwanis clubs, leads rasn aturally Go consideration of the Apache Trail in aspects other than commercial
 There Is perhaps no highway in the west. and especially in the southern part of the west, that has the attraction for the tourist that is possessed by the Apache Trail, and there Is perhaps no highway in the west that is in such bad condition.
 There is an impression that the Southern Pacific railroad win put the tratl in shape because of the benefits that accrue to it through the tourists who come to Arizona to go over it. This impression has been brought about by the fact that the railroad has advertised the trail extensively. The facts. however, are these;
 Five years ago officials of the southern Pacific met with the people of Phoenix and the Globe Miami dis tlict to consider the feasibility of open iug the trail for tourist travel and ad- Ncrtising it throughout the country. Vt that time the chamber of commerce and other organizations. together with prominent citizens of both localities, declared they would do all in their power to put the trail into the best of shape and keep 1t in that condition.
 t''On the strength of this the South crn Pacific began an advertising cam pnisn concerning the Apache Trail, and the results of that advertising are just beginning to be felt. for the advertise ing of such a thing requires time before it can bring returns. During the months of December January, Febru- ary, March. and April of last year an average of 800 passengers were taken over the trail and into Phoenix. But so many were the complaints that came 10 tho railroad officials concerning the roughness of the trail and the fatigue caused by the trip over it that the com pany has been forced to discontinue it's advertising. Tourists are now taken to the Roosevelt Dam from Globe and then back again. missing all the scenic wonders of tho trail from the dam into Phoenix, and losing also the opportu- nity. after seeing the Roosevelt dam, tC sec the progress of the water in the Salt River valley and Co mark the won. derful transformation it has brought about. Incidentally. Phoenix is losing tho benefits of all that tourist travel.
 The Southern Pacific is not getting enough returns out of the trail to war rant the expenditure of keeping 1t up and it is doubtful If it ever will. It f paying s5 more to stage companies fo carrying tourists to the dam than othe travellers arc assessed. Despite this however, the company knows the wort of the trail You will remember tha at the end of an excursion conducte by tho Brooklyn Eagle some time az the 125 members of the party votc that of all the wonders they had see in the west the Yellowstone Park cam first and the Apache Trail second.
 Tt is a mistake to let the trail re main fin it's present condition. Tn remedy is for all the localities interest ca in the trail to get together on plan to put 1t into condition, in the cer tainty that the railroads and other in terested organizations will assist ther to the utmost"
 Tho Kiwanis club meeting yesterda war featured by the introduction ( four new members. who were welcome Co Kiwanis by Attorney Earl Drak The new Kiwanians arc Leo Weave secretary of the Builders Exchange ID. F. Rogers, secretary of the Deacon ess hospital: Dr. James Stavely. pastC of the First Methodist church, an Harry L. Goss, X-ray diagnostlcian.
 The meeting was opened by Pres dent Royal w. Lescher with the ar nouncement that the roster will
 
 have not had their names put in coi rectly have this last opportunity make changes. He also requested men berg to be careful about their gues slips, as they must be used by the SCI retary Tn making out his bills to men bers at the end of the month.
 The guests of the meeting were thu introduced, after which Leo Weav ana Gene Nettleton rendered a fe musical selections with piano ar drums. and then Guy Alsap, of q Donofrio Confectionery company, tot charge of the meeting as chairman the day
 Tho attendance prize was won Earl Drake. It was a book present by Weston Carpenter, professor
 manual training The prize next we win be given by c. W. Goodman. al tho trade talk will be made by Ja Daniels.
 Following Bancrofts remarks J.
 Sexon secretary of the Y. M. c. A., l the Kiwanls in song. after which the was a roll call. The following gues were present at the luncheon:
 Francis E. Daly. A. Hendersc Stockton: Judge D. S. Clark, Per Merethew. W. c. Hornberger, s.
 White. Pasadena: James Logic. pu fisher of the Douglas Dispatch; Robe F. Ward. representing The Republic in Chicago and New York; EdV Murphy and Gene NettletOn.
 BS.o9 FsvoSngr- A wholesome. ClesuSir