The Coconino sun., 1924-08-15
A CHANCE FOR COCONINO
SAYS MIAMI SILVER BELT

The Miami Silver Belt of Gila
county has this to say of the road
situation in Coconino county:
"Col. Fred Breen, who makes the
Coconino Sun shine, stated in a recent
interview with Phoenix newspaper
men:
"'Another big factor in the OPP
timism of Flagstaff is the tourist
business. Understand we do not
rely on the tourist business for
our success. But from business
standpoint you cannot overlook
the tremendous flow of automo-
biles going through Flagstaff
every day. Some stay few days
and others just put up for the
night, but they all stop here. The
natural scenic beauties of our
section appeals to all; they hear
about Flagstaff before they reach
here and they go away talking
about it.
"'One thing that pleases US is
the increased number of Arizona
visitors coming our way. We ap-
preciate all business, but it is
pleasing to know that our home
state is awake to the advantages
of northern Arizona
"Flagstaff is the capital of the sum-
mer tourist country of Arizona. Most
of the people of this state who go
north during the summer season to
the Grand Canyon, Mormon Lake, the
Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest,
the White mountains, and the numer-
Gus other points of attraction in that
great playground country, touch at
Flagstaff on their trip.
''The people of Flagstaff, including
Col. Breen, are keenly aware of the
commercial value to them of their To-
cation as a sort of hub for this travel.
"But they have overlooked a bet
for many years, in that they have
shown little interest in getting good
connecting road through Flagstaff to
the northern boundary of Gila county
to join the excellent roads from that
point south through this district. Res
idents of Gila, Graham, Pinal, Cochise
and to some extent those of Greenlee
and Maricopa counties often essay to
take a short cut north through Pine
to Flagstaff. Most of them return
with their bitter criticism of the con-
dition of the roads north of Gila
county in Coconino county. The bad
roads are largely in the Coconino ma
tional forest.
Doubtless travel from these south
ern counties to the Grand Canyon,
Mormon Lake and other points north
would be greatly increased if there
was a good road south from Flagstaff
to the north line of Gila county.
Flagstaff would see a much greater
volume of traffic developed if that
road were built. People from the
southern part of the state find it a
hard task to get to Flagstaff and the
canyon. Either they must go around
the world by way of Prescott, or
travel the Indifferent road by way of
the Pine shortcut.
''The apathy of Flagstaff people to-
wards the improvement of this road,
which is so much to their interest. is
not understandable to Gila county
folks who have constructed fine
right up to the south line of
Coconino county.
"Col. Breen expresses qualification
that Arizonans in increased numbers
are this year visiting his part of the
state The colonel would have the
pleasure of seeing that flood of visit
ors to his native heath greatly aug
mented if there were good connecting
roads to the south of Coconino county.
The hardships of travelling over those
roads deter large numbers of our peo-
pie from visiting that section.
"The fault lies largely with the for
est service through failure to build a
good road through the Coconino ma
tional forest.
"Col. Breen and the Flagstaff folks
should use their good offices and in
fluence with the powers that be in the
forestry office towards getting road
across the reserve. If that connection
is established, they will be well repaid
for their efforts through increased
tourist traffic from the southeastern