The Coconino sun., 1925-01-16

upon the board of supervisors of Co
conino county apportioning $4,000 to
the fund, the Oak Creek road is fl
nanced.
In the discussion following Captain
! Wright's talk, Joe B. Kellam, chair
man county board of supervisors, was
first called on by George 7. Herring
ton, program chairman for the day.
Mr.. Kellam expressed appreciation of
the good-fellowship he found in Ro
tary, alluded to the failure to sell
Bright Angel trail aud consequent loss
to this county of money the sale
would have afforded toward our road
building program; then said ne be
lieves the Oak Creek road is the most
important Individual road project call
ing for immediate solution.
The connection it would afford with
the south part of the state makes it
a good business proposition for Flag
staff to cooperate in its building, Mr.
KelIam said. Practically all Of the
money, he said, will be spent this side
Of the Oak Creek bridge. In reply to
question, Mr.. Kellam said that the
supervisors do not feel that the super
visors should put up all the money to
he raised in this county, because they
felt it unfair to the west end of the
county. He believed the interest
shown in the Verde valley towns
should be met with evidence Of a like
interest in Flagstaff.
While Mr.. Kellam did not say SO at
the Rotary club, it is known that he
was instrumental in getting prominent
men of Clarkdale and surrounding
towns interested in the plan and Sc
cured their pledge of $500 during a
recent visit he made there.
Frank B. Goodman, former county
engineer, told of the previous tenta
tive agreement with the U. S. bureau
of public roads by which this county
was to pay for the preliminary usr-
yey, after which the Oak Creek high
way was to be built by the govern |
ment. But, he said, the bureau of
public roads can't see the difference !
between an ordinary road and a
highway; therefore
the cost of the Oak Greek road was
estimated by the bureau at S8G0,000, |
too great sum to be considered.
Mr.. Goodman said the Oak Greek !
road is Of utmost Importance to north /
ern Arizona. No money is at present |
available from the forest service for
the road, nor will be for some time to !
come. The work proposed to be done |
with the $4,000 will be along the |
route of the government survey and |
of the link will join it to
the Verde valley-Fossil creek road |
The road through Oak Creek will be
The most direct route from El Paeo |
to Grand Canyon and Gila and Yava-
pai counties VIII boost for travel |
that way, he said.
w. H. Switzer, DR.. a. j: Mackey |
and Mr. Harrington took part in the
discussion and on suggestion of Dr.
Maokey, Vice President John @
Thomas Of the Rotary club appointed |
Mr.. Harrington, e. G. Miller and L. |
w. Cress a committee to meet with a !
similar committee from the Junior |
chamber Of commerce and formulate
plans for raising the $2500 required |
from Flagstaff.
Captain Wright headed the list with
$50.
Mr.. Kellam feels that once there is
q lot Of travel over the Oak Greek |
highway, interest in it, because of its |
directness and wonderful scenic |
beauty, will become SO great that |
there will be boosters in all parts of !
the state for public funds to improve
it. and that thus the burden for its
general development viii not have to
be altogether borne by this county,
which already has more than its share /
Of road expense to take care Of.