The copper era and Morenci leader., 1921-01-21

state could be utilized to excellent in gratifying the desire of these men for homes. Direct taxation would prove too burdensome in the financing of such an undertaking, but with the bonded debt limitation re- moved, feasible plan, devoid of such objection, could be formulated. The fourth state legislature enacted soldiers settlement act, but it's opera tion was contingent upon congress adopting the Lane or some bill of similar purport. As congress failed to do it's part, the Arizona law has serV- ed no other purpose than to cucumber the statute books. Although there is no direct, there certainly is an i'm piled obligation on the part of the state of Arizona to reward in subs tantial way the men whose valorous representation made possible the peace and blessings We enjoy today. I would. therefore, urge that your ear nest consideration be given to this recommendation.
 The Road Problem
 There is a remarkable unanimity of sentiment existing as to the ne cessity of good roads, but wide di- vergence of opinion, however, as to whether the supervisory authority, not only as to routes but expenditures should be vested in the state engin
 ger, or a commission. My views on the subject were placed before the last legislature in the following Ian guage: aF
 q would suggest that the full con trol of our state highways be placed in the hands of a road commission
 consisting of five persons servin:s
 without pay. The term of office should
 be five years, the appointments being
 So regulated that there would be only ! one member of the board changed each year. This would insure per
 manency of the commission and would i free it from the possibility of having | it's plans and organization changed at l each gubernatorial election. The LOm
 missieners should employ the state
 engineer and have full authority over
 the state highway department, thus
 taking that appointment out of politics. The salary of the state engineer
 should be fixed at figure insuring
 the best road engineering talent 4 available.
 Senate bill No. IT, you will recall
 was passed and handed to me for ap
 proval. The main features of the
 measure were good. Had there not
 been incorporated therein provision divesting the executive of his Drer.
 ogative. of appointment but at the same time holding him responsible for the efficient conduct of the de. pertinent, no hesitancy on my part would have been manifested in sign
 ing the bill
 Overtures Ignored
 It was then, and still is a source o : regret to me, that the attitude assum ed was that politics should outweigh :, Ee best interests of the s-:.te Al
 Cvertures on my part to secure con
 structive legislation of this characteI 9 were ignored, and I was compelled f to veto bill which, eliminating it. one main and several minor objec n tionable features, would have at leas V given the opportunity of putting i
 and the principle involved to tn, I test.
 The record of accomplishment dur , ing the past two years in road con u struction is notable one and com mensurate with the progress made il 5 other lines of public endeavor an' general progress. A large majorit, of the counties, alive to the economi necessity of good roads, through bon
 issues, cooperate with the highwa department. Federal aid in a 1arg - amount was secured, thus practicall - for the first time taking advantag $ of the offer of the federal govern $ ment, and through it's financial as II sistance adding to an appreciable ez tent to the mileage constructed. It Q not necessary, except in a broad Q general way, to cite details, these be ing available to your body in the b. d ennial report of the state enginee o As I said two years ago, the onl answer to the criticisms then so free ,s ly offered as to my veto action woul :, be roads" That answer I am no ia making.
 During the past two years PA . miles of highway have been grad z ed, drained and gravel or caiiehe
 ~AI.