The Coconino sun., 1923-10-19
GOVERNOR SPONSORS
new SCENIC ROUTE TO
OPEN ARIZONA STRIP

Governor Hunt is back in his of
flee, following trip into the
Arizona strip. The trip was planned
primarily for the purpose of study
ing game problems but will likely
prove more beneficial to the state, as
extending the arteries of travel in
such way as to divert large part
of traffic from the Arrowhead trail,
and provide an entirely new loop-the-
loop route that will draw countless
thousands of tourists to Arizona,
through new scenic highway, des
tined to open up an empire of scenic
wonders and untold wealth as large
in extent as the state Of New York,
and opening for the first time the
channels Of intercourse between Ari-
zona and her sister state to the
north, Utah.
Il am going to stand back of the
proposition calling for appropriations
for the construction of two bridges
across the Colorado river" declared
Governor Hunt. zone will be at
Pierce's ferry near the western bound
airy Of the state, and the other at
Lees ferry south of the polnt where
the Colorado river enters the state
from the north.
With a map Of his recent travels
before him, Governor Hunt pointed
out how and why these two bridges
would be the strategic points of the
proposed highway, which in a general
way would follow the path of his re-
cent journey.
Leaving the Old Trails highway at
Kingman, the highway would point
northward to the Pierce Ferry site,
crossing the Colorado river the road
would continue in a northerly direc-
ton, making connection with the Ar
rowhead trail at Littlefield, located
in the extreme northwestern corner
of the state, thence to st. George and
Hurricane, Utah, from which point
the route would follow the present
auto road to the north rim Of The
canyon. t'rom this point the foad
would turn eastward along the far
famed Nermillion cliffs crossing the
river near Lees Ferry, thence south
ward along the Echo Cliffs to the lit
tie Colorado river bridge at Leupp,
making connection at that point with
a road to Flagstaff. The route de-
scribed takes in the very finest por-
tions of the northern plateau region,
including the Pipe Spring national
monument, just south of the Utah
border and the Kaibab National for
est and game preserve.
In discussing the feasibility of the
route and the recognized necessity Tor
opening up communication with Utah,
oal1o1 ~ m tho
fact that three years ago the highway
omnibus bill carried an appropriation
of 100000 for road from Klngman
to the Colorado and for the construc-
ton of bridge, which item, however,
was vetoed by Governor Campbell.
Estimates of the coast of bridge
at Lees Ferry indicate an expenditure
of S150,000 for a suitable highway
bridge, according to the governor, and
of this amount a portion would prob
ably be borne by the federal govern
ment as the bridge in question would
serve the Navajo Indian reservation.
This was Governor Hunts first trip
into the strip, and he is returning
fully impressed with the wonders of
the country inspected by himself and
party, which included members Of the
university faculty and government Of
ficials.
'eThe scenery is Incompatible" said
the governor. "Its canyons, its petri-
fications, its 100000 acres of virgin
forest of pine spruce and fir all con-
tributed to make it the wonder land
Of the continent. The high plateau is
without running streams though
springs are plentiful. Its rich color
ing, its heavy timber, broken by open
glades, present picture which no
artist can paint"
1t is for these reasons that the
governor is anxious to see road i'm
provement that viii open up these de-
lights for the people of nation.
Though the season was late, more
than 200 machines day were encoun-
tered on the Arrowhead trail. This
route now lies through desert wastes
that could be and would be avoided
with the erection of bridge at
Pierce's Ferry and a good road into
Kingman, in the opinion of the gov
p1'uOT