New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-07-29
BETTER HIGHWAY BOOSTERS
MEET IN SANTA FE;
INDORSE BOND ISSUE
(By Guthrie Smith)


various organizations OF five import
ant counties, are heartily in favor OF
the proposed constitutional amend
ment which, if ratified, will authorize
an issue OF 100000 for roads in
New Mexico. These good roads ad-
vocates held a convention in Santa
Fe on Wednesday afternoon and ev-
ening, under call of the Santa Fe
chamber OF commerce, upon request
OF the Las Vegas chamber OF CON-
merce.
The resolution endorsing the prop
osed amendment, as drafted by the
resolutions committee, was adopted
by unanimous vote. The resolutions
committee appointed by Chairman
Twitchell was composed of Clarence
lden, OF San Miguel, chairman; Col.
d. X. B. Sellers, of Bernalillo; Char
les Springer, of ColfaX; B. Seller,
of Santa Fe; Charles c. Closson, of
Santa Fe; and J. Frank Curns, of
Mora.
Col, Twitchell, president of the San
ia Fe chamber OF commerce, called
the meeting to order. He was i'm
medately elected chairman OF the
convention. Walter NJ, DanburP,
secretary of the Santa Fe organiza-
tion, was elected secretary,
Robert J, Taupert, representing the
Las Vegas chamber OF commerce,
automobile division, made the open
ing statement from the floor, des-
cribing the purposes of the meeting,
as he understood them. He declared
that while the situation was critical,
so lar as business over the Santa Fe
Trail and Las Vegas interests were
concerned, their delegation felt no
desire to find fault with the state
highway commission, but desired
most earnestly to cooperate in every
way possible in an intelligent effort
to bring about an improvement in
road conditions in the areas affect
ed.
Charles Springer, chairman, Eugene
kempenich, secretary, and l., A. Gil
lett. engineer, of the state highway
commission. all were present and
spoke in presenting the problems that
confront the commission. Mr.,
Springer said that it was impossible
for the commission to maintain what
did not exist; that the commission
often had been harShly criticised for
failure to maintain roads in given
localities, when in fact, there was no
road to maintain. Such so-called
roads, after heavy rains. were indeed
he admitted would re-
main so until roads are constructed
Mr.. Kempenich said that the prop
aganda being put out from from some
sources, intended to defeat the bonds,
was being built upon an insecure
foundation. He referred, for one
thing, to the resolution adopted by
the Albuquerque chamber of COM
merce, which is unfavorable to the
bonds. He said this resolution was
prepared by representatives of GER
tain interests that are seeking to de-
feat the amendment that it was pas
sed by little group of directors, in
star chamber session. that the direct
ors did not dare submit the resolu-
ton to the members of the organiza-
ton, in open meeting. II. B. Wat /
kins, secretary of the Albuquerque
chamber OF commerce, was present
as a delegate while Mr. Kempenich
was speaking. Just a few minutes
before, Mr.. Watkins had urged all
persons interested in maintaining a
i've community, to support the cham ,
Der of commerce or other commercial (
organization.
Mr.. Gilett explained the plan OF
he patrols that were put on main
enance work about a year and
lalf ago. He showed that all the
roubles with poor roads have been
IN so-called roads that have never
,cen constructed
Sitting down the various arguments
hat were made and statements put
MO the record, it appeared that the
most urgent need now is immediate
nd temporary relief on the Santa Fe
'r1il. which Col Sellers declared is
he route that has been recognized
~ the Automobile Club OF Southern
,alifornia, which is the largest and
0ost powerful organization Of the
-ind In the world
Specifically. there is a bad stretch
ciwcen Fultan and Tccolote. in San
iiguei county, a distance OF p miles
This is on the highway between San
"a Fe and Las Vegas 1t is covered
y a federal aid project that viii be
e 10 a contractor some time in Aug 1
ST. But what is wanted IS imme-
late relief and this Mr.. Gillctt pro- !
ii,cd TO furnish by putting a main /
-nance crew on the job at once. 10
no fhct worst spots into passable {
ondition. i
Another sore spot" is the stretch ]
etween Watrous and Wagon Mound.
distance Of 20 miles. in Mora coun- I
y. This also Mr Gillett promised
D have looked after al once by a 7
'7inteuance crew. r
In trying to get right down 10 hard {
an and find out precisely what was [
eeded, Chairman Twitchell appoint !
d a committee Of one from each c
ouutv. TO confer with the commits c
on. and explain what was needed. ,
hat committee was composed OF Col
ellers. OF Bernalillo: Walter NJ Dan 1
urg Of Santa Fe: Robert !. Taup- a
II. Of San Miguel: DR.. w T. Brown. t
: Mora: f F. Johnson. of Colfax. Il
In order to give time for this COM
littee to hold a conference, and for S
le resolutions committee to perform
: work. an adjournment or recess
as taken late in the afternoon. Work
as resumed at a dinner that was
rived at the De Vargas hotel at 80 I
clock.
The afternoon session was held in d
ie Paris Theatre. Delegates were I
caring ribbons badges which were F
.ttered: New Mexicans-Let's get p
'gether- Adopt amendment No. II e
} build a road between your town S
I'd ours State Record"