The Coconino sun., 1925-02-06
ABOUT THE MORMON LAKE STATE PARK

The road is year by year being improved. Twen-
ty-five thousand dollars year is being spent by
the forest service on the road from Mormon lake
down past Stoneman lake to the rim at the county
line That is passable road now, much OF 1t
very good.
Motorists desiring to come from any part of the
state to Mormon lake to fish or camp had no trou-
BILE last year getting there. There was a constant
population of thousand so people there fol
several months That there will be many more
there this year is indicated by the fact that the
forest service office here has applications fo1
nearly so additional cottage sites and three hote
sites probably all of which will be granted.
The lake is getting splendid advertising. The
room there is practically unlimited. One may
build cottage without cost for site, or stick up
a tent, and stay the year around If he pleases.
There is no restriction on either hunting or fish
ING other than imposed by the State game laws
There is no restriction Of any other kind imposed
except care of fires. There is a railroad to the
lake, of value should any emergency arise. There
are scores of woodsmen there to save life and
property in case Of forest fire.
The timber at the edge of the lake and as fai
back as anyone would care to go for camping is
protected against cutting
1t is hard to imagine any added advantages that
might accrue to any person IN Arizona or to any
camper at Mormon lake by having the lake region
made state park. 1t is easy to imagine a lot of
disadvantages.
First the expense. With nearly half of the
lake shore privately owned, the state it is hardly
likely would appropriate money to buy out those
holdings. If it were decided to take several miles
of timber all around the lake into the proposed
park, as reported to be part of the plan, thus
compelling the Flagstaff Lumber company to SuS
pend operations for long time and build new
and longer railroad, will the state undertake to
reasonably compensate the company? 1t would
have to.
The argument of the proponents of the plan is
that declaring the lake state park will give the
state an excuse to appropriate money to make
boulevards of the roads approaching and encir
cling the lake.
Why does the state need to go such a long way
for an excuse? 1t is spending money on other
roads in the state of no more even OF less import
ance. If, as generally conceded, Mormon lake has
greater resort potentialties than any other spot III
the state and should be enjoyed by all of the peo
pie in the state, then neither the state legislature
nor the state highway department needs any ad-
ditiona reasons why state funds fairly and adj
vantageously be spent on those roads
There is no intent here in Flagstaff to un-
kindly criticize those originating and backing the
plan to make Mormon lake state park. They are
to be commended on their good judgment in realiz
ing its value to all of the people of the state and
on their evident desire to make it as well known
and as accessible as possible to every citizen of
the state.
But it is felt in Flagstaff, with seeming una
nimity, that the park plan will not give the people
of Arizona anything more than they now have:
that involved is great expense that probably
mao not Do6n realized Dy Ine proponents OF the
plan; that if the proposition were carried through
and, as has been suggested several miles in all
directions from the lake brought within the park
the expense would be SO high to the state as prac
tically to be prohbitive and would very likely by
Gripping big industry, greatly harm Flagstaff
and COconino county.
Flagstaff people simply regard the plan as too
costly on the one hand and on the other hand as
promising nothing much in the way of return on
the cost
Flagstaff people also, it may be noted in con-
clusion, are very little disturbed over the matter
realizing that all kinds of formalities even to get
ting presidential proclamation, must be gone
through before the lake and surrounding country
could be taken from the control of the u S. forest
service and transferred to that of the state.
The cities of Flagstaff and Winslow, in the
northern part of our state, are doing a great deal
for themselves in the way of civic improvement.
Flagstaff recently voted bonds to supply adequate
water service and is now interested in the relief
of the housing shortage. Winslow plans to en-
large It's gas plant, assuring such service as its
citizens should enjoy. Southern Arizona is pleas
ed to note these facts, for our state as whole
must prepare to take care of an influx of home
seekers in the next few years They are coming
to Arizona, and Arizona will act wisely in being
prepared to accommodate them when they arrive.
Tombstone Epitaph
The answer to when is the best time to adver-
tlse?" iS-noW. The only exception we can See is
when the business itself isn't ready to expand.
The times" haven't much bearing on the ques-
ton. All times are good times to let people know