Editorials

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Published in the Interest of Good Roads by the ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

JOHN C. MCPHEE, Editor

CIVILIZATION FOLLOWS THE IMPROVED HIGHWAY

Vol. XII

B. B. MOEUR, Governor of Arizona ARIZONA STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION SHELTON G. DOWELL, Chairman, Douglas J. W. ANGLE, Vice-Chairman, Tucson E. C. SEALE, Commissioner, Prescott JACOB BARTH, Commissioner, St. Johns

C. E. ADDAMS, Commissioner, Phoenix

C. C. JARRETT. Secretary. Mesa A. I. WINSETT, Assistant Attorney General, Special Counsel GENERAL OFFICE T. S. O'CONNELL, State Highway Engineer SID SMYTH, Deputy State Engineer D. B. HUTCHINS, Vehicle Superintendent J. S. MILLS, Engineer of Estimates H. C. HATCHER, Statistical Engineer

R. A. HOFFMAN, Bridge Engineer

W. M. MURRAY Superintendent of Stores

B. V. MILLER, Engineer of Plans

M. L. WHEELER, Chief Accountant

J. W. POWERS, Engineer of Materials

C. R. MCDOWELL, Patrol Superintendent

W. L. CARPENTER, Superintendent of Equipment

A. C. SI EBOTH. Right-of-Way Agent

SWAN A. ERICKSON, Engineer of Certification

W. F. FRERICKS, Purchasing Agent

FIELD ENGINEERS

GEORGE B. SHAFFER. District Engineer District No. 1

R. C. PERKINS, District Engineer District No. 3

F. N. GRANT, District Engineer District No. 2

W. R. HUTCHINS, District Engineer District No. 4

PERCY JONES Chief Locating Engineer

WRITERS' PROJECT EDITION

Approximately 50 Arizonans during the last year have been at work compiling the Arizona section of "The American Guide," major unit of the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration. This issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS was edited and prepared by a staff from the project. The articles appearing herein are taken from the files of the American Guide.

The Guide is to be a significant bit of Americana, unique in the literary field. More than an encyclopedia, it will present, without exaggeration or puff-phrases, the extraordinary scenic and travel attractions of America, plus the important historical lore of each region. It is a book long needed, destined to render a service to all the people for the next half century at least.

More important than the finished book, however, will be the benefits received by the workers themselves. Each of the 50 has received a modest wage-in no sense commensurate with the talents drawn upon, but enough for maintaining health and self-respect.

That wage, however, is still not the major consideration. Most of those 50 workers have been able to work out a per-sonal rehabilitation-an adjustment of individual emotions and temperaments, so that they can fit normally into society again.

sonal rehabilitation-an adjustment of individual emotions and temperaments, so that they can fit normally into society again.

A few instances of individual progress have been outstanding. One young author, almost destitute emotionally as well as financially, received from the Writer's Project just the necessary "lift" which undoubtedly will mold his entire career-and it may well be one of real distinction. His salary for six months was but a pittance, but it enabled him to have mental calm during spare time, and he used it to complete a novel. The first publisher to see the novel bought it, paid him a substantial advance in royalties, commended it as a book of outstanding literary merit.

Several more workers have been able to "square around" after a few weeks on the Writers' Project, recoup their abilities to do creative thinking and fit back into private in-

(Continued on Page 14)

APPRECIATION

To the Editor of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS: Ingratitude is the unpardonable sin.

We are grateful to those who have made the Writers' Proj-ect possible, and we want them--and the public at large-to know it.

We feel that we are giving value received for the salaries we earn, but we are thankful for the chance. Our appreciation extends not only to the Government officials in Washington, but also to State officials and others here at home. From Governor Moeur on down, public-spirited Arizonans have been gracious in aiding this project and in keeping it non-political.

It has been most encouraging.

If you can print this word of thanks from us we will appreciate that, too.

Respectfully, Workers on "The American Guide," Arizona Division.

The Editor is grateful for the above note of thanks. Most Americans are indeed appreciative of assistance given then., in whatever form it may be. Public projects of this sort are in no sense charity; those writers work for every cent they are paid. But they appreciate the chance to do constructive work, and it is heartening to have them say so. Therein lies true Americanism.

OUR COVER PICTURE

Scenic Canyon Lake in Central Arizona, one of the chain of man-made lakes which provide life-giving water for the great Salt River Valley irrigation system. Photo by Norman G. Wallace.

On the right: 1-New construction five miles South of Cameron; 2-New oil pavement on the Bisbee-Fort Huachuca highway; 3-Beginning of construction on Wickenburg underpass; 4-Heavy construction, Valentine Crozier Canyon; 5-Kingman-Boulder Dam Highway, five miles South of the Dam; 6-Reconstruction between Jerome and Clarkdale; 7-The Woods oil mix machine at work West of Coldwater; 8-Painting the "life line" center stripe near Grand Canyon; Inset-New bridge over the Hassayampa river at Wickenburg.