The Coconino sun., 1921-01-21
THE REASON FOR SOME BAD ROADS

In speaking of the road conditions in Arizona the Douglas International makes the following very pertinent statement:
 "One of the very worst pieces of road in the state is in the San Carlos and White Mountain Indian reservations, between Rice Station on the south, and the northern reservation boundary, somewhere in Navajo county Between these points tribe of Indians, protected by the United States government and as much, or more, under the care of Illinois representatives and senators in congress as under those from Arizona. The reservation sits in the most beautiful part of the state. In it's boundaries is contained the best trout fishing, the best hunting and the best camp ing locations in Arizona. Yet when citizen of the state of Arizona, of any other state in the union, goes upon the reservation to fish he or she must pay fee of twenty-five cents day to en- joy the sport. A fee is also exacted in the case of hunting. On the reservation the long and red taped arm of the Indian Service of the United States government holds sway. The agent is comparable to the old-time factor who once held sway in those territories held by Hudsons Bay Company in Canada. On the reservation an In- dian is sacred especially when it comes to mat ter in dispute between white man and red skin The government, with all of its power, jumps to the defense of Poor Lo
 Within the confines of the reservation is a terrible stretch of highway. It is through road. It is the feeder for central Arizona from the east. Yet it is usually in such horrible condition that to negotiate it the tourist must sacrifice all idea of comfort and safety for himself and his vehicle. He goes into the reservation and over the road praying that the great god of chance may stay with him. He may meet with accident and be held up by Uncle Sam's charges; he may run out of water on the top of grade and, upon asking passing Indian for drink, will in all probabil- ity be met with grunt.
 "The people of Arizona resent the manner in which the Indian reservations in the state are ad- ministered We do not believe the people desire that the redskin be deprived of anything that is justly his He is entitled to consideration, but he is not entitled to be placed in the position of the time-honored dog in the manager by lot of sentimentalists who live in the far east and who consider the question of Indians and their rights from purely abstract standpoint He is not en- titled to hold land, to the loss of the people as whole, that is doing him little or no good. He is not entitled to obstruct progress as in the matter of through highway from central Arizona to the New Mexican border. And yet all of these things are in effect at the present time.
 Congress owes some consideration to the people who live adjacent to Indian reservations. They should be made easy of access to the people and administered much as the forest service handles the forest reserves of the country. They should be conserved not only for the white but also for the red man. In the matter of the road across the White Mountain Indian reservation congress or the Indian service or both, owe it to the people of Arizona to construct good pass able highway along that route"