The Coconino sun., 1924-07-18
FRlvIloUs PROTEST AGAINST TRAIL SALE

TIE question of roads in Coconino county is one
of the most important with which the people have
to deal. Building and maintaining roads IS tne
biggest item of expense against the taxpayers
The people realize this and some few years ago.
the county was bonded for S150,000 for roads.
The government of the United States wants tcs
take over the Bright Angel Trail and give the
county 100000 to help build roads within the
county. Not only that but with the express de
sire and purpose on the part of Congressman Hay-.
den and Congressman Cramton that 10000 ol
more be appropriated later to put on road con
Meeting the Grand Canyon with the Old Trails
Highway.
The secretary of the interior is'al1thorized by a
special act to enter into some agreement with the
board of supervisors of Coeohino county The
county is not forced into any deal or trade sc
that argument is exploded
The secretary may, however, build trail fol
the government from the funds appropriated
That would make the Bright Angel Trail worth
less to the county. The Bright Angel Trail was
never valued at 100000. No person with sgooc7
business judgment would pay that amount for 1t
If the people of Coconino county can get an ap
preparation of $500000 for its road fund by turn
ing over this trail, it will be nightly good trade
We are sure of 100000 and the word of honest.
men that we should have the balance and they vii
do their best to see that we get it. Yellowstone
Park has an outside road leading to that park
which cost the government $4,000. Why woulc,
it not be as liberal with us, knowing that the
greater part of the county is government proper
ty, only about IL per cent of the land privately
owned in Coconino county.
People from all parts of the country are asking
why we have no good road to the Grand Canyon
and those who know of the proposed trade are
wondering what sort of people live here who will
turn down the liberal offer made by the govern
ment.
Some of our short-sighted friends profess not to
see beyond their own front yard. They object be
cause the money is not dumped into the general
fund of the county treasury Probably they would
not accept check from the government. They
would want to handle the actual cash.
The new board of supervisors will handle the
question. The objectors profess to believe the
newly elected board might want to spend the.
money for chewing gum or fireworks, and shoufi
be allowed to if they so desire.
The people of the county would rather have the
money invested in a good road that would be a
credit to the county than have it in the treasury
That's where the bulk of the taxpayers money
goes to, so why profess to believe the government
officials are madeup of crooks and untrustworthy
men whom are out to blk poor old Coconinc
county?
rnent has gone long way trying to help 'Coconf1ee
county if the people here are wise enough to help
themselves instead of being led aStray by selfish
personal feeling of few.
Tourist travel is one of our greatest assets and
it is up to us to protect and help develop it. We
haven't forever to do it in and some day we will
wake up to the fact that we have let great OPP
portunity slip, if we do not get action now.
The government has never taken away the
rights of individuals within parks and tits very
certain they will not start that sort of a thing
at this time
Even the government has some rights that Co
iconino county can not afford to ignore. Taking
into consideration the coltys liability for trail
accidents and the reasonable right of the govern
ment to develop the Grand Canyon national park
with roads and trails is it reasonable to expect
that any sane person would pay anything like
100000 In cash for the trail?
We regret very much that Senator CameronI
feels that it is personal affront for us to advo
cate this trade for the trail but since he has del
MED officially in the Congressional Record, any
financial or personal interest at Grand Canyon
and with some ten personal years of knowledge i
dating back to 1898 over the Great Controversy
we are willing to admit we are for Coconino coun-
ty, live here, vote here, loved here, bought here
and hope to stay here. \
The Coconino Sun has no personal wars. but bel
tween Senator Camerons personal fight against
Coconino county and its interests-we declare for
Coconino county.
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President Coolidge said recently to his depart
ment chiefs Il am for economy. After that II
am for more economy" There is no lnistalting.
his attitude on the subject and it isn't of the old
political variety, but cash and carry sort of d
proposition. He isn't attempting to Influence the
voters of any particular element in sl1e1dff}g flq