Arizona Highway Commission Notes

Arizona Highway Commission Notes JOHN SCOTT NAMED COMMISSIONER

Commissioner John M. Scott looks forward to six years service on the Arizona Highway Commission with two outstanding objectives: Greater safety must be brought to the Arizona Highway system.

Secondary and feeder roads should be developed.

"With a good trunk system already organized, Scott said, Arizona should now turn towards making available better interstate communications. And something must be done to make it safer to ride upon these highways.

Still a month away from his 31st birth day, Scott is the youngest man who has ever sat as a member of the Arizona Highway Commission. Several weeks ago the Senate of the 13th Legislature confirmed Scott's appointment and that of R. G. Langmade, as Gov. R. C. Stanford's first major appointments.

He received an engineering education at Leland Stanford University. He has been a successful oil distributor in northeastern Arizona.

"We have made good provisions to handle the cross-state traffic, and I am sure this has been wisely done," Scott said. "We should further concentrate(Continued on Page 16)

January 30, and February 1, 1937

The Arizona State Highway Commis-sion met in special session in their offices in the Highway Building at 9:00 A. M., January 30, 1937. Those present were: Chairman Dowell, Vice-Chairman Angle, Commissioners Addams, Barth and Seale; also the State Engineer, the Secretary and Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch.

State Engineer O'Connell read a resolution, which he proposed submitting to the Arizona Good Roads Association for adoption in regular assembly January 30, 1937, to be forwarded to Senators Ashurst and Hayden and Representative Murdock, urging Congress to include $2,-500,000 in their appropriation bill for the ensuing fiscal year. The sum of $2,-500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1936 and the sum of $2,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1937, was appropriated under Section 6 of the Hay-den-Cartwright Appropriation Bill of June 18, 1934, for the maintenance and construction of main roads thru unappro-priated and unreserved public lands, non-taxable Indian lands, or other Federal reservations other than forest reserva-tions, and Congress, in passing the Agri-cultural Appropriation Bill for 1937, deemed it advisable to defer this $2,-500,000 appropriation for the fiscal year 1937. The Commission unanimously approved the submitting of the resolution to the Arizona Good Roads Association for adoption.

State Engineer O'Connell recommended, subject to the approval of the Bureau of Public Roads, that the contract on the Mesa-Superior Highway-F. A. P. 7, 2nd Reo. (1937) A. F. E. 8011, be awarded to the low bidder, the Tiffany Construction Company, in the amount of $41,419.83. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Addams, seconded by Commissioner Barth, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be accepted.

State Engineer O'Connell recommended, subject to the approval of the Bureau of Public Roads, that the contract on the Ajo-Gila Bend Highway-W. P. S. S. 120 -A. F. E. 616, be awarded to the low bidder, N. G. Hill and Company, in the amount of $71,982.93. Commissioner Addams asked that the project be extended inasmuch as the budget calls for $90,000 and the bid amounts to $71.-982.95, and State Engineer O'Connell stated the Department will take advantage of the 25% clause in our specifica-tions and extend the project the same as has been done in Mohave County on the Kingman-Boulder Dam Highway. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Addams, seconded by Commissioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be accepted.

Awarding of bids received by the Purchasing Department on January 21, 1937, on Emulsified Asphalt for the Nogales-Tucson Highway, A. F. E. 8966-67.

State Engineer O'Connell informed the Commission that inasmuch as District Engineer W. E. Hutchins was very anxAnxious to get started with this project, he had, on the advice of the Attorney General, allowed the purchase of two car-loads of Emulsified Asphalt, which amounted to less than $2,500, in order that the project might go ahead. Purchasing Agent W. F. Frerichs was called in and he advised the Commission that the two carloads were purchased from the Shell Oil Company, and information furnished by him to the Chairman, showed that the Standard Oil Company had received the most business for the Year 1936 on the distribution of gasoline, road oils and greases. Closely following the Standard Oil Company were the Shell Oil Company, the Texas Company, the Union Oil Company and then the Rio Grande Oil Company: the Continental Oil Company, the General Petroleum Corporation and the Gilmore Oil Company receiving the least amount. Commissioner Addams, stating that he was in favor of giving the business to the concern who had received the least amount of business, made a motion that the bid be awarded to the Gilmore Oil Company, in the amount of $5.462 50. Commissioner Seale stated he would like to see the business divided up due to the fact that the bids are all the same, whereupon. Purchasing Agent Frerichs brought out that it would be better for the Department, particularly as far as delivery is concerned, if the business was not split up among too many companies. Following the Purchasing Agent's statement. Commissioner Seale seconded Commissioner Addams' motion that the bid be awarded to the Gilmore Oil Company, in the amount of $5,462.50, and the motion was unanimously carried.

The Commission recessed at 10:40 A. M., and met again in open session at 11:25 A. M., all members present. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Addams, and unanimously carried, that the Commission follow their usual procedure in the designation of the highway through Parker, and that is, as has been done in Yuma County before, follow the route recommended and requested by the Board of Supervisors of that County.

It was regularly moved by Commissioner Barth, and unanimously carried, that the resolution transferring funds in the amount of $15,515.99, be adopted.

State Engineer O'Connell said he had received several communications from the North praising the work of highway crews during the recent severe snow storms and the Commission asked him to convey their appreciation to these crews for the tireless efforts they put forth during the emergency.

The Secretary read a communication from Mr. Fred H. Bixby concerning the report forwarded to him under date of January 14th pertaining to his request for the installation of a large culvert underneath the pavement on U. S. 80 junction with the Roosevelt Water Conservation Canal, six miles East of Mesa. Mr. Bixby, in this communication, felt that something could be done to overcome the menace which exists where the Apache Trail crosses the Roosevelt Water Conservation District Canal, every time there is an excessive rain on the desert and the highway is flooded, and he of fered to assist the State any way he could in the way of providing fresno teams or hauling sand. He stated he would be in Phoenix the first part of February, at which time, he would endeavor to have a conference with Engi neers of the Department concerning the problem. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Seale, seconded by Com missioner Addams, and unanimously carried, that the District Engineer get in touch with the people concerned and in terested in this matter and work out some solution from a right-of-way, engi neering, drainage, road protection and general protection standpoint; submit ting a detailed cost analysis on what ever is recommended.

The Commission reconvened at 1:55 P. M., January 30, 1937, all members pres ent. Commissioner Addams excused himself at 2:40 P. M.

Afternoon Session

Mrs. J. M. Keith, Secretary of the Ari zona Cattle Growers' Association, ap peared before the Commission concern ing conditions facing the cattlemen in the North due to the heavy snows. Mrs. Keith said she was in receipt of letters, wires and telephone communications stating that various ranchers who had been feeding their cattle, were running out of feed and it was impossible for them to get out to the railroads because the roads were blocked, and inasmuch as the county equipment was not heavy enough to open up the roads into these ranches, they were requesting the Highway Com mission to loan them sufficient equip ment to open up the highways in order that they might get feed into their cat tle. It was regularly moved by ComCommissioner Barth, seconded by Com missioner Addams, and unanimously car ried, that the Chairman of the Boards of Supervisors in the various northern counties, on the advice of the Attorney General, be rented snow removing equip ment, with which to open up the trails into the snow-bound ranches, and there by make it possible to take in the neces sary feed for cattle, providing all ex penses such as the payment of gas and oil and the salary of the operators, are taken care of by the Boards of Super visors. This is as much as the State can legally do to alleviate the existing con ditions.

A resolution from the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce signed by the President and Secretary petitioning the State Highway Department to change their plans so that the highway between Kingman and Chloride, Arizona, may be completed at the earliest possible time and in no event that the full completion of said highway extend beyond the Year 1937, was presented. State Engineer O'Connell explained that the contract for the Kingman-Boulder Dam Highway project recently awarded, was for an amount under our estimate and it will be possible to extend the contract under the 25% clause. State Engineer O'Con nell was requested by Chairman Dowell to write the full details to the Mohave County Chamber of Commerce.

The Secretary read a letter from Mr.

ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

Vernon G. Davis, Speaker of the House of Representatives, asking this Depart ment to cooperate with the chairman of the Committee of Accounting and Busi ness Methods, Banking and Insurance, Corporations, Efficient Government and Constitutional Amendments in a move ment to prepare for this session of the Legislature either recommendations or a concrete program dealing with the problem of state finances, state property accountability, and a uniform system of state control for the State of Arizona with a centralized authority. Chairman Dowell requested that a copy of this com munication be furnished each member of the Commission.

State Engineer O'Connell stated he had received a request from Mr. J. R. Van Horn, State Manager, Arizona Highway Planning Survey, to go into the towns in the State and do the center striping on the through State Routes through the towns; the average cost of this is about $35.00 per mile. To date, the State has had only one agreement with a city that the City should do or maintain the striping and that one agree ment has not proved satisfactory, there fore, inasmuch as there are only about 50 miles of through State Routes in in corporated towns in Arizona, the State Engineer recommended that the High way Department do this maintenance work. It was regularly moved by Com missioner Angle, seconded by Commis sioner Barth, and unanimously carried, that the Highway Department maintain the highways on the Seven per Cent System through incorporated towns in the State of Arizona, provided it is agree able with the cities involved and it is the opinion of the Attorney General that same may be done legally by the High way Department.

The next item considered by the Com mission was proposed legislation. State Engineer O'Connell presented a proposed bill, drafted by the Attorney General's office, allowing the Highway Commission to ask the Attorney General for an at torney or attorneys. Under the present law, the Attorney General can designate only an attorney to the Department, and the Commission was reminded that the legal affairs of the Department have in creased to such an extent, it is impossible for one man to handle them. No ob jection was raised to the submitting of the proposed bill to the Legislature.

Chairman Dowell asked the Assistant Attorney General, Mr. A. R. Lynch, to give an opinion on the status of the High way Commission today and an opinion on their meeting February 1, 1937, at 10:00 Α. Μ., at which time there are supposed to be two new appointees, who as yet have not been confirmed by the State Senate. Attorneys Lynch stated that the appointees, whose terms ex pire January 31, 1937, hold over until their successors are confirmed. Also, the Commission may meet Monday, Feb ruary 1, 1937, instead of January 31, 1937, which falls on a Sunday, in ac cordance with Section 1729. Revised Code of Arizona, 1928; that three members shall constitute a quorum and any action taken shall be legal, provided, all three members agree to vote "aye" on the question. In his opinion, the Commission could not legally organize today (January 30, 1937) as the statutes say, the Highway Commission must organize on the 31st day of January of each odd numbered year. It was agreed by the Commission, at this time, that they would convene at 10:00 A. M., February 1, 1937.

MARCH, 1937

Mr. D. S. Hutchins, Superintendent of the Motor Vehicle Division, submitted proposed legislation to the Commission for their consideration. After hearing a resume of each bill from Mr. Hutchins, the Commission approved without ob jection, the submitting of this proposed legislation to the Arizona State Legisla ture, now in session.

The Arizona State Highway Commission reconvened in their offices in the Highway Building at 2:15 P. M., February 1, 1937. Those present were: Chairman Dowell, Vice-Chairman Angle, Commissioners Barth and Seale, also the State Engineer, the Secretary and Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch.

Commissioner Addams was absent.

Chairman Dowell stated the Commission had been informed that the Arizona State Senate had today (February 1, 1937) confirmed the appointments by the Governor of Arizona of Mr. R. C. Langmade, Phoenix, and Mr. John M. Scott, Holbrook, as Highway Commissioners. Messrs. Scott and Langmade were presented to the Highway Commission by Commissioner Jacob Barth. Mr. Barth stated he had enjoyed being a Highway Commissioner the past six years and expressed appreciation for the cooperation he had received during that time. In behalf of the Commission, Chairman Dowell stated it had been a pleasure to work with Commissioner Barth and he welcomed the new Commissioners.

Mr. Langmade expressed the appreciation of Mr. Scott and himself to the Highway Commission for having deferred the meeting until their appointments were confirmed by the State Senate.

In compliance with Chapter 31, Para graph 1557, Revised Code of Arizona, 1928. Messrs. R. C. Landmade and John M. Scott took their seats as members of the Arizona State Highway Commis sion. Oath of office and bonds as re quired by law were filed with the Secre tary of State. Length of terms of Com missioners R. C. Langmade and John M.

Scott are from February 1, 1987 to Janu ary 31, 1945.

In compliance with Chapter 31, Para graph 1557, Revised Code of Arizona, 1928. The Highway Commission organized as follows: It was regularly moved by Commis sioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and carried, Commissioners Lang made and Scott not voting, that Mr. S. C. Dowell be reelected Chairman of the Highway Commission to serve for two years.

It was regularly moved by Commissioner Seale that Mr. J. W. Angle be re elected Vice-Chairman of the Highway Commission to serve for the ensuing two years. Chairman Dowell released thechair to second the motion, and it was carried, with Commissioners Langmade and Scott not voting.

It was regularly moved by Commissioner Seale, seconded by CommissionerAngle, and carried, Commissioners Lang-

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