The Coconino sun., 1923-06-22
GOD HELPS THOSE
WHO HELP THEMSELVES

All for the want of a horseshoe a
battle was lost at one old time away
back in dim history.
Because of a lack Of progressive
foresight a railroad from Flagstaff
to Grand Canyon was lost.
Now it appears merely for the want
of an expenditure of from $4,000 to
$4,000 on the repair of a road north
of Kayenta, Flagstaff is in position
to lose all the benefits of the big Gil
boom now on in that section of the
country.
They may strike oil or they may
not strike oil. That is not the peril
nent question at this time Men with
means believe oil is there and are will
ing to spend their money in testing it
out. In the meantime these men
want to do business with and through
Flagstaff. They need an expenditure
of about $4,000 on repairing the road
in order to get to Flagstaff.
The companies going into that field
with machinery and equipment are not
doing it on a stock ceiling basis, nor
are they asking Flagstaff to assist
them in financing their development
work.
1t would be to their advantage in
reaching Flagstaff if few miles of
road were repaired. They favor Flag
staff because of general road condi-
tions and want to make it their trad
ing point. =,
If they never strike oil they will
spend hundreds of thousands in the
next few years just to prove it is not
there.
Three big outfits are now drilling
and three more are putting their
equipment on the ground and getting
ready for drilling.
It would appear that these oil COM
panies, we'll known in the financial
world, are not throwing away their
money without a previous expert in
vestigation of the ground.
If they do strike o1i-Flagsta1f
wants to be on the main highway. II
is understood that Gallup, with full
understanding of the proposition, IS
willing to spend $4,000 or more for
road building, if they can secure this
business.
Therefore, brethren, let us sit IN
silent prayer, hoping they won't strike
oil lest we are agonized by the money
we have lost, rather than spend a cent
on venture, which might by divine
providence. come our way anyhow.
Lee Newman, formerly sheriff OF
Navajo county, now OF Biuff CITY,
Utah, while in Flagstaff Tuesday
said relative to the new oil fields now
being developed in the north: The big
men now operating in that field are
anxious to come to Flagstaff for many
reasons, including the fact that roads
north into Utah are ro.l " vksh many
mountains to climb. AZ Mr.. Clark, one
Of the big operators, has spent con-
siderable money on a 12-mile strip OF
road to connect him up with what is
known as the Flagstaff well being put
down by Cramner & Wilson, in hopes
that the road from there on to Flag
staff will be put in repair. The state
of Utah is spending about $4,000 on
the roads north in order to keep busl-
ness north, but oil men are all anxious
to come to Flagstaff if it is made
possible for them to do so," declared
Newman.
"My ranch is only about so miles
from this field. They already have
oil at Mexican Hat and this well is
furnishing crude oil and gasoline for
the other drilling outfits. Indications
are good and the big companies are
spending money to get it. Aside from
the possibilities of this oil field, a lit
tie repair on the Coconino county
road would open up big tourist travel
straight through to Flagstaff from
Colorado and Utah. Monument Valley
is a sight second only to Grand Can
yon and thousands go there who would
come on through if they were advised
the road was opened he said.