ARIZONA HIGHWAY COMMISSION NOTES

The Arizona State Highway Commission met in regular session in its offices in the Highway Building at 10:00 A. M., January 4, 1939. Those present were: Chairman Dowell, Vice-Chairman Angle, Commissioners Langmade, Scott and Seale; also, the State Engineer, Howard S. Reed, the Acting Secretary, Mary Foudy Clinton, and Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch.

The Tentative Minutes of December 22, 1938, were approved as read.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, who had received concurrence from the Bureau of Public Roads, it was moved by Commissioner Seale, seconded by Commissioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be accepted and the contract on the Kingman-Needles Highway, FAGH 85-A (1) (1938), Kingman-Boulder Dam Highway, FA 123-D (1) (1939) be awarded to the low bidder, Tanner Construction Company, Phoenix, in the amount of $209,780.21.

The State Engineer read a communication from the newly-appointed Superintendent of the Arizona Highway Patrol, W. T. Allen, to which was attached a request from the former Superintendent Thomas Rumans for a two weeks vacation with full pay, as he had not at any time during the preceding year had a vacation.

After discussion of the situation and review of the minutes pertaining to similar requests, and upon recommendation of the State Engineer that this request be granted, it was moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Seale, that Mr. Rumans be continued in service for two weeks at full pay to assist the new Superintendent of the Patrol in his duties. This was put to a vote and Commissioners Dowell, Scott and Langmade voted "no," stating their reason for so doing was because the budget for the Highway Patrol is now $2,110 in the red.

The State Engineer read a letter from the Las Vegas, Nevada, Chamber of Commerce, regarding the numbering of the completed hard-surfaced highway from the Boulder Highway at Railroad Pass south to the town of Searchlight, Nevada, as U. S. 93. They asked for an opinion on their suggestion that the Boulder Dam-Kingman road, which now bears the designation of U. S. 93, be designated as U. S. 93 East, and the Railroad Pass-Searchlight-Needles road be designated as U. S. 93 West. The Commission concurred in the State Engineer's recommendation that Arizona should not surrender this number, but that a new number should be given the road in Nevada, and the matter was left in the State Engineer's hands.

The State Engineer read a letter from W. C. Markham, Executive Secretary of the American Association of State Highway Officials, under date of December 21, 1938, in reply to one from the State Engineer under date of December 13th requesting the extension of U. S. 62. Mr. Markham stated this matter would come before the members of the Executive Committee at its meeting next June.

The Commission went into executive session at 10:30 A. M., and reconvened at 10:45 A. M., in open session, all members present.

The Acting Secretary read a resolution passed by the Board of Supervisors of Apache County, requesting the Highway Commission to set the necessary forces to work in Apache County to utilize the budgeted sums of money that were set up by the Highway Commission to be spent on roads in Apache County.

Dewey Farr, of Apache County, appeared before the Commission and, speaking on behalf of the citizens of Apache County, repeated the request contained in the resolution, saying they are interested at the present time in work on Highway 61 and 81; particularly from Concho west to the wye, which is extremely hazardous in wet weather, and needs surfacing very badly, and also from St. Johns to Sanders. Commissioner Scott asked Mr. Farr if the citizens wanted WPA Projects started on these roads and Mr. Farr replied in the affirmative. It was moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and unanimously carried, that the District Engineer be instructed to open up projects on Highway 61 and 81, providing labor for same is furnished by the W. P. А.

State Engineer Reed presented a bulletin from the Bureau of Public Roads, regarding money allotted the states for the year 1939-1940. Arizona receives $1,423,400 for Regular Federal Aid; $213,510 for Secondary or Feeder Roads; and $125,461 for Grade Crossings. Total $1,762,371.

Commissioner Seale brought up the subject of the Central Avenue Underpass and State Engineer Reed advised that the appraisers for the City have selected five citizens naming George Mickle as Chairman. This board is to meet January 7th for its first meeting. It will receive suggestions from the property owners and also from the appraisers for the city. If they come to a satisfactory agreement, it will be submitted to the Court for confirmation. This obviates any court action in reference to condemnation suits.

The State Engineer presented a letter from the Board of Supervisors of Navajo County, under date of December 25, 1938, requesting cooperation of the Highway Department in the dismantling of the steel highway bridge over the Little Colorado River on U. S. 66, at Winslow. It was suggested by Commissioner Seale, and concurred in by the rest of the Commission that the State Engineer confer with the Indian Service and the Navajo County Officials, as to just what is desired in this matter, for future action by the Highway Commission.

Chairman Dowell referred to the present status of A. F. E. 8755-Mesa Grade Separation. The State Engineer said that Mr. Wilson, General Superintendent of the Southern Pacific Railroad had made inquiries concerning the rights of way on said project and he felt there would be no difficulties whatever presented on this question. All matters should be cleared without any delay. Plans are being made now and will be available within a very short time. This project is the next on the program of grade separations. The State Engineer presented a communication from the National Park Service concerning a permanent travel exhibit and museum that is being installed in the rotunda of their New York Office and asking for an exhibit from the Highway Department and as there is no set date for its receipt in New York, definite action on the same was deferred until the next meeting of the Commission.

The State Engineer read a communication from Dr. Hewes, Regional Director of the Bureau of Public Roads, containing a quotation from Thos H. MacDonald, Chief of the Bureau, concerning a School for Soil Experts that is to be conducted in Sacramento, California, by the Bureau beginning January 14, 1939. This school will be limited to thirty members and Mr. Reed recommended that Julian Powers, head of the Materials Division, and two of his assistants, H. H. Brown and L. R. Brown, be sent from this Department. It was moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and unanimously carried, that the State Engineer be authorized to send these three delegates to Sacramento.

The State Engineer read two communications, one from J. M. Allen and one from Bruce Randle, both janitors in the employ of the State Highway Department, requesting they be paid wages due them under the minimum wage scale for common labor as specified in the wage rates set by the Highway Department in June, 1937. It was moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that State Engineer Reed and Assistant Attorney General Lynch investigate this matter and make a report at the next meeting of the Highway Commission.

As the members of the Commission had an appointment with Governor R. T. Jones at 11:30 A. M., the meeting was recessed at 11:15 A. M., January 4, 1939, to reconvene at 2:00 P. M., the same date.

The Commission reconvened in open session at 2:00 P. M., all members present.

A letter addressed to Chairman Dowell from W. S. Salisbury, Deputy Sheriff of San Francisco, under date of November 20, 1938, concerning a device for sealing the license plates to vehicles, was turned over to the State Engineer for conference with the Superintendent of the Motor Vehicle Division and report.

District Engineer W. R. Hutchins appeared before the Commission and requested that permission be given for the blading of the dirt road, which is about five miles in length, lying within the boundaries of the Military Reservation of Fort Huachuca. This road comes out of Nogales over Highway 82 and enters the reservation on the east side, coming out on the north. Permission has been given by the Commander in Charge of Fort Huachuca to use this road as a State Highway. Upon recommendation by the State Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and unanimously carried, that if permission is given by the Commanding Officer at Fort Huachuca, subject to approval by the Attorney General, the Highway Department maintain this five-mile stretch of dirt road.

The State Engineer presented an invitation from Mayor Rossi of San Francisco addressed to the Members of the American Association of State Highway Officials in Convention assembled in Dallas, Texas, to "A Congress of Construction and Road Show" to be held at San Francisco March 5-10, 1939, and sponsored by American Road Builders' Associated Equipment Distributors, Assn. General Contractors of America, and Western Association of State Highway Engineers. The letter requested information as to reservations required. It was suggested by Commissioner Seale, and concurred in by the rest of the Commission that the State Engineer write Mayor Rossi, accepting the invitation on behalf of the Highway Department and stating that reservations would be made later for the delegates attending from Arizona.

Allen the new Superintendent of the Highway Patrol appeared before the Commission and presented two letters from himself to the Highway Commission, making certain requests. A copy of each of these letters was given to each Commissioner.

Chairman Dowell asked Superintendent Allen, in view of the fact that the Commission is the body that sets the rules and pays the salaries for the Highway Patrol, to present his plans for the future. Superintendent Allen stated that there are nine new patrolmen who are in school at the present time being drilled on the Highway Code and on enforcement of same; on first aid; on contacting the public, and upon their actions on the Highways. Four of these new patrolmen are from Maricopa County and the other five from various counties of the State. Seven of the new patrolmen are ex-officers and will go through school very fast.

Commissioner Angle suggested that should any new patrolmen be put on at any future date, they be given their training and schooling before they are placed on the payroll.

Chairman Dowell asked Mr. Allen to submit to the Commission for its approval, the rules and regulations by which he intended to run the Patrol Division.

As the budget for the Patrol Department in now $2100 in the red, Superintendent Allen was asked by Chairman Dowell what his plans are for economy. Mr. Allen stated he did not plan to reduce his force as he did not believe in curtailing the efficiency of the Department, but that he did intend to watch the traveling expense and reduce the indebtedness in that way.

Chairman Dowell brought out the fact that the public is complaining that the Patrolmen are not on the road enough. Superintendent Allen agreed that this is so and that the order has already gone out verbally that the Patrolmen are to stay on the Highways; that most of the violations of traffic laws are committed on the State Highways and not in the incorporated towns, and for that reason the Patrolmen are to stay out on the Highways where they belong. He said they are being instructed to give all aid and assistance possible to motorists. He concluded by saying that he had been a Traffic Officer in Maricopa County for eight years and understood the traffic problems thoroughly.

Chairman Dowell, on behalf of himself and other members of the Commission, stated they wished to cooperate with Superintendent Allen to the fullest extent.

The Commission went into Executive Session at 2:50 P. M., and reconvened at 4:05 P. M., the same date, all members present.

It was moved by Commissioner Angle, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and unanimously carried, that the State Highway Engineer make a complete investigation of the requests preferred by the new Superintendent and report to the Commission at its next meeting.

Commissioner Seale made a report on the meeting in Flagstaff on December 28, 1938, attended by representative citizens from Coconino and Navajo Counties and by Commissioners Langmade, Scott, and himself, State Engineer Reed and District Engineers Van Horn and Grant, of the State Highway Department. This meeting was with particular reference to the needs of Highway 66.

The State Engineer presented a report of the survey that had been made outlining the physical aspects of the Highway from the New Mexico State line to Seligman, with particular reference to that section from Flagstaff to Seligman. Several recommendations were made and resolutions were presented and passed, recommending the order in which the work is to be done on the highway, under the 1939-1940 budget.

There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Commission adjourned at 4:25 P. M., January 4, 1939, to convene again at 10:00 A. M., January 14, 1939.

JANUARY 14, 1939

The Arizona State Highway Commission met in regular session in its offices in the Highway Building at 10:00 A. M., January 14, 1939. Those present at roll call were: Chairman Dowell, Vice-Chairman Angle, Commissioners Scott and Seale; also the State Engineer, Howard S. Reed, the Acting Secretary, Mary Foudy Clinton, and Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch. Commissioner Langmade arrived later, at 10:40 Α. Μ.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, who had received concurrence from the Bureau of Public Roads, it was moved by Commissioner Seale, seconded by Commissioner Angle, and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be accepted and the contract on the Superior-Miami Highway, F. A. 16 (2) (1939) A. F. E. 7018, be awarded to the low bidder, W. E. Orr, Phoenix, in the amount of $119,511.74, subject to the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Public Roads.

The State Engineer introduced Major Geo. MacDonald, Representative in the State Legislature from Santa Cruz County. Major MacDonald was making inquiry with reference to the status of the Department's request that the portion of Highway 82 from Fort Huachuca to Nogales be included in the Federal Aid System. Mr. Reed told him that the Origin and Destination study had been forwarded to the Bureau of Public Roads for action and is now being awaited.

Concerning the Central Avenue Under-pass, State Engineer Reed told the Commission all matters were proceeding in good shape. The City of Phoenix filed the necessary condemnation suits for rights of way last week and were sanguine that matters would be brought to a head immediately. Everything is satisfactory as far as the Santa Fe Rail-road is concerned. The Southern Pacific Railroad is making one or two little ob-jections but they will soon be ironed out and as soon as an agreement is reached between the property owners and the city, the whole thing will be cleared up.

Concerning the exhibit to be sent the National Park Service for their permanent travel exhibit and museum, Mr. Reed presented a sketch prepared by George Avey of the Plans Division, showing highways and interesting points throughout Arizona. It was moved by Commissioner Scott, seconded by Commissioner Seale, and unanimously carried, that the State Engineer be authorized to develop the project presented and forward same to the exhibit in New York.

W. T. Allen, Superintendent of the Arizona Highway Patrol, appeared before the Commission and reported that the new Patrolmen, who had been in school, were now ready to go out on their duties.

Commissioner Langmade requested a report from the Motor Vehicle Superintendent regarding the falling off of the fees collected, and the reason for the same. Mr. Davis and Mr. Corbell of the Motor Vehicle Department appeared before the Commission and Mr. Davis stated that the drop in the revenues on the gas tax was caused by the drop in general business conditions from this time last year, but that the drop in registration fees was caused by the lateness of many of the large trucking concerns in registering their vehicles. Word had gone out to them to get their registrations in as soon as possible and there had been quite as response during the last two days. If registrations were not all in by the deadline, operations of the trucks not registered, would be immediately stopped.

The Commission requested the Motor Vehicle Superintendent to contact the different counties for percentage of licenses purchased to date.

State Engineer Reed told the Commission that, as a result of the meeting in Reno of the Western Association of State Highway Officials, where the question of truck regulation had come up, it was anticipated that this question would be presented to the Legislature of the different states. In view of that fact, he felt that an examination of the Motor Vehicle Law should be made with the correction in mind of any difficulties that might exist at the present time. Following discussion with reference to these matters, the State Engineer was directed to have an examination made of the Highway Code, with the thought in mind that such matters needing correction should be presented to the State Legislature.

The Commission went into Executive Session at 12:05 P. M., and reconvened in open session at 12:30 P. M., all members present.

It was recommended by the Commission that the State Engineer work in conjunction with the Motor Vehicle Superintendent and the Attorney General to provide a committee for study of legislation.

It was recommended by Commissioner Angle and concurred in by the rest of the Commission that as the present arrangement is very unsatisfactory, it should be determined whether or not the Highway Patrol should remain under the jurisdiction of the Governor and the Highway Commission, or whether it be handled solely by the Commission, or by the Governor, and that legislation concerning same be introduced.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, the State Highway Commission approved the requests of the Superintendent of the Highway Patrol with reference to the change in title from Captain to Assistant Superintendent; also, for the elimination of the title of Corporal and the promotion of one man previously holding that title, to that of Sergeant. The Commission disapproved the requests of the Superintendent of the Highway Patrol that the Assistant Superintendent be paid $300 per month, stating the budget, as set up in July, 1938, be conformed to with reference to salary schedule.

Recommendation was made by the Commission that the speed limit on Highway 87 South of Chandler, be changed from 45 to 50 miles per hour.

No other business being brought before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 12:45 P. M., January 14, 1939, to meet again at 10:00 A. M., January 31, 1939, or subject to call.