Arizona republican., 1922-04-04
Nothing But Good in Thi. Rill

We feel that if all the members of the
fully understood the situation with respect to
Substitute House Bill a. which barely escaped indefi-
mite postponement yesterday there would not be
than two votes against it and those two would be
given for reasons which those members definitely
understand that the politicians may somehow obtain
control of the Martcopa county program.
The bill is essentially Maricopa county bill. Its
only effect upon all the other counties is to relieve
them of county highway commissions. which another
bill proposes to do by the repeal of the county high
way commission act. abolishing, with others. the
Maricopa county commission something four out of
every five citizens of the county do not want done
The people OF Maricopa county except very
small group whose interests selfish or political
approved the work of the Maricopa county high
way commission. They believe that the commission
by its close supervision of the work from the
tion of specifications un the paved roads have been
opened for travel by their fight for lower freight
rates and lower priced materials, have saved the
county some hundreds of thousands OF dollars.
The commission consists Of five members. Sub
stitute House Bill - it possible to reduce that
number to three something that is not opposed
Perhaps commission of three would be efficient
as a committee of ffve. But Maricopa wants COM
mission We understand that other county does
and under this bill it could not have unless It
had to be expended a highway fund OF $fooo,oOo.
Nothing more than this contemplated in
the original House Bill 49, But substitute the
ent bill was offered covering another matter OF great
Importance to this county but affecting in way
any other county. The contract for the completion
of the highway program which is now being per-
will leave surplus of several hundred thous-
and dollars which under the existing law would have
to remain under the control Of the commission until
the contract should be completed. The commission
would then automatically pass away and the surplus
fund would go into the county road fund to be
disposed of by the board of supervisors.
But the contract will not be completed before
the end Of the year in the meantime the surplus
would be idle 1t is desired that this surplus be made
at once available for by the board Of supervisors.
SO that they may begin connecting the county high
way project with functions OF county roads of other
counties 1t is proposed. though, to meet continsen-
oies of the county highway program that 100000 OF
the surplus retained under the control OF the conf
mission as contingent fund.
Now this is something that everybody concerned
desires-the board of supervisors, the highway COM
mission the people OF this county and the people or
the adjoining counties There is nothing in the prop
ositon inimical to any interest.
There was another feature of the substitute, 4
oviso continuing contracts which have already been
entered into and which in progress. There was
validating clause the effect of which not quite
dear and which yesterday stricken out of the
biil
We can think of no reason why any senator
should hesitate after once the purpose Of con-
structive and meritorious a measure has been made
dear to vote for it.
We have said that it affects only Maricopa
county We should have said that it directly affects
only this county, but in lesser degree it beneficaiy
affects every adjoining county and only little more
remotely beneficially affects every county in the
state in that it proposes hasten the construction Of
1 great link of an Arizona system of highways.