Bisbee daily review., 1921-07-03
BANKHEAD ROAD
BEST To COAST
Future of Southwest Depends
To Great Extent On Auto
Traffic Through State

Recognizing the actual decisive
status of the recent $35O,O0O appro-
priation of the California legislature
for completion of the Bankhead high
day section lying between San Ber-
nardino and Yuma, via Holtville, Bis
bee supporters of the great oceanic
ocean road rejoice in the realization
that the crisis in its life has passed
and that its perpetuity is no longer
in the visionary state.
Constituting the only great trans
continental highway finding its Ioca-
ton in southern New Mexico and Ari-
oZna. 1t provides the shortest and
best route between west Texas points
and California by motor car and when
another II months have elapsed it
will have become a true boulevard
with many stretches of paved roau
and highest class highway construc-
tion Incorporated into every mile of it.
Considerable comment has for the
past week been current locally in Cir
cles deeply convinced that the future
of the wonderful southwest lies large
ly in great intra and Interstate thor
oughfares for automobile traffic. Gen
eral sentiment expressed is that no
more satisfactory method for cement
ing together the interests and feel
ings of the southwestern states ex-
lists than by provision of such high
ways as the now-certain Bankneau
route, to make easy rapid transit by
the ordinary citizens of the widely
separated yet closely connected COM
munities.
California Backing
The argument rendered as rule
for this widespread confidence in the
future of the Bankhead highway cites
the recognition in very determined
manner of the route by the state of
| California, and this officially by leg
islative appropriation. One of the
chief factors in the tentative success
of the transcontinental road up to
that time, it is pointed out, had been
the hoped-for recognition by Califor-
mia. This was probably the single ele-
ment which could have been respon-
sible for the defeat of the victory.
The Importance of this recognition
| lies i'm the fact that California is one
of the terminal states of the road and
had either both or one of these refut-
ed the road by failure to appropriate
funds for its completion, thus signi-
| tying their belief in it's value, it would
/ probably have suffered lessening of
its brilliancy within few years.
The bill signed by Governor Ste
phens of California allots $3.50 900 for
the building of paved road from San
| Demanding to Yuma, by way of ToIt-
| vile, an important link in the high
way, particularly in view of the very
poor condition in which it has been
permitted TO remain for many years.
II lis reputed that it state had con-
stituted one of the weakest arguments
lin favor of eventual recognition of
The highway. The money for the new
road. which will be by way of Holt
vile, also recognized as an important
point on the highway, will be avail
able for the construction immedi-
ately.
Federal Aid
An equal sum of federal aid. It is
understood, will be provided to match
the fund, making the total sum 800,
900. There is also reported to be
St'oh duOluST DOHt
issue for roads in California
Not only is the news ,of the signin,
of the bill by Governor Stephens o.
California OF encouragement to thes,
boosting the Bankhead road, but t.
hackers of three. other transcontinen
tai routes which converge at the Col
orado river crossing at Yuma. Thes,
routes are the Ocean-to-Ocean high
way, Old Trails route and Southern
Ocean-to-Ocean highway In fact
general optimism in highway circle!
of the future of southern transconti
mental routes is melted.
| Information has just reached Bis
bee that the American Automobile as
n ISOLATION, the Blue Book company ant
the Automobile Clubs of America
have each agreed to make every ef
fort TO advertise the Bankhead rout,
and to divert all travel possible to il
The Bankhead National Highway as
! sociation also has supplied the infor
nation that 975 miles of this read ha
been approved for various improve
s ment projects by the road department