The Coconino sun., 1924-07-04
SHALL WE REFUSE A CASH DONATION?

SHALL WE REFUSE CASH DONATION?
1t will seem a strange thing if the people of Co
conino county do not realize their opportunity and
make the trade with the government for the
Bright Angel trail at Grand Canyon.
There can be no question in the mind OF bus
mess man as to the good bargain offered by the
government. There are no deep angles to the
question and it does not need the advice of q
lawyer for one to make up ones mind.
The Bright Angel trail brings the county an
annual revenue of about $4,000. The county is
liable for accidents which may occur on the trail
This amount is insufficient to maintain any part
of reasonably good road to Grand Canyon. Nc
logical reason has so far been advanced against
the sale of the trail
The government has appropriated 100000
to be used by the Secretary of the Interior until
expended for
l. The construction of trails within the Crane
Canyon National park;
2. Provided that said sum may be used by the
Secretary of the Interior for the purchase Of
the Bright Angel trail from Coconino county
g. And the secretary is authorized to construct
an approach road from the National Ole
Trails highway to the south boundary OF
said park
A. The secretary may do this under conditions
he may deem proper
Under the conditions of this appropriation the
secretary is allowed wide latitude in the purchase
of the trail the building of other trails or roads
M
wide authority was given the secretary in ordel
that he could come to satisfactory agreement
with the board OF supervisors of CocOnlno county
The board of supervisors is the legal body t,
either make this agreement with the secretary OF
turn it down.
The trail could not be sold to any private party
for half the sum of 100000.
The people of Coconino county want reduction
in taxes, but the county is badly in need of gooe
roads. The government of the United States Of
IoI. H. - l1.,I L IL
donation
The government can build new trail with this
100000 if the secretary sees fit and can not come
to an agreement with the board of supervisors o.
Coconino county.
The government need not build any roads fol
Coconino county, but is willing to do SO in eX
change for taking over the trail.
The policy of the government is and has
been for years, to own all lands within a nationa
park.
Coconino county can stand out against the gov
eminent, but is has all CLOSE and not thing II
the world to gain by such action. Eventually the
government will either own the Bright Angel trai
or one of their own which will make the propert.
owned by Coconino county worthless.
The government is not making any threats l.
has placed most advantageous offer before tho
people. Aside from the offer of 100000, it is
tactily understood that if the deal is made some
$500,000 more will be eventually spent on thE
road in succeeding years.
NO legitimate argument has so Tar been ad
vanced against the trail purchase. Much talk has
prevailed and conjectures as to what the govern
ment will or will not do but no one has so fal
even asked what the secretary will do or intends
to do.
Some few with view of sidestepping, want the
question put up to a vote of the people. The peo
pie feel that no extra expense of an election i;
needed The question will rest with the new boaN
of supervisors.
If a candidate for supervisor is against the sale
of the trail, the voter knows how to vote
If candidate for supervisor is for the sale Of
the trail, the voter knows how to vote
This is representative form of government
and the board of supervisors are supposed to rep
resent the people in its business affairs If they
do not know what the people want they have M
business in office. 1
If the people must decide all questions for The |
supervisors by vote why not do away with thu |
supervisors and do all our business by elections O.
mass meetings?
1t may be the people of Coconino county are Sc
dead to their interests to let this Opportun
lty pass sleeping their rights until it is too l
late but going to doubt it until it is proven
If there was any possible financial injury to any
one, objection could be understood, but it is ex
tremely difficult to understand why we should re |
fuse big donation from the government.
-O-
Our democratic friends are playing in the re
verse this year Everybody in the party was nom 4
mated except William Jennings Bryan. Probably |
his off year, but his brother Charley was put il
as pinch hitter for w. J. just to keep the family
name before the public.