ARIZONA HIGHWAY COMMISSION NOTES

MARCH 10, 1939 The Arizona State Highway Commission met in regular session at 2:00 P. M., March 10, 1939. Those present were: Chairman Procter, Vice-Chairman Moore, Commissioners Marley, Bledsoe and Owens; also State Engineer W. R. Hutchins, Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch and Assistant Secretary, M. C. Hankins.

The Tentative Minutes of March 3, 1939, were approved as read.

Awarding of bids received March 10, 1939, on 200,000 lithographed State Highway Road Maps for 1939.

Upon recommendation of State Engineer Hutchins, who had received prior recommendation from E. V. Miller, the Plans Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe, and unanimously carried, that the contract for the 1939 road maps be awarded to the low bidder, the Arizona Printers, Inc., Phoenix, in the amount of $3,477.

A letter from Special Counsel, addressed to the State Engineer, under date of March 6, 1939, re the request preferred by the Conyes Freight Lines at the meeting of March 3, 1939, was read by Assistant Secretary Hankins. This letter stated that while the imposition of registration fees and heavy unladen weight fees upon the trucks used over this small stretch of highway during the year would work an unduly heavy burden upon the truck lines, nevertheless no legal justification could be found for the plan proposed by the company. Upon question from the Chairman, Mr. Lynch recommended this matter should be taken care of by the Motor Vehicle Division. Thereupon it was moved by Vice-Chairman Moore, seconded by Commissioner Marley and unanimously carried, that if there is any further action to be taken, same be taken by the proper Department.

The Assistant Secretary read a letter from the Right of Way Agent to the State Engineer, regarding the sale of two parcels of land which had been used by the State for maintenance camp sites, but now are no longer needed for any highway purposes, and requesting authorization for the sale of these tracts of land be made. Resolutions regarding same were read. Vice-Chairman Moore moved that this Resolution be adopted and the matter be placed in the hands of the State Engineer for appraisal and sale of the land in question. This was seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe and unanimously carried.

It was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Moore and unanimously carried, that the salary of the State Highway Engineer be set at Sixty-five Hundred ($6500.00) Dollars per year.

It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe and unanimously carried that the salary of the Assistant State Highway Engineer be set at Fifty-five Hundred ($5500.00) Dollars per year.

Audience was given by the Commission to a delegation from Aguila, headed by Mr. Milton Ray, Secretary of the Aguila Road Committee. He introduced Mr. Bryan Akers of Phoenix, who spoke of the many benefits that would accrue to the State through the building of the AguilaAlamo-Kingman Highway. These would include additional tourist trade, the opening up of mineral deposits and would also bring much trade to Phoenix and Tucson and other Arizona points, which now goes to California.

Others speaking briefly in behalf of this Highway were: J. S. Coupal, Secretary of the Small Mine Operators' Association, Wm. C. Joyner, Clyde Hilliard, President of the Aquila Road Committee, J. A. McDonald, merchant, E. W. Hudson of Tempe, Fred Walters, Aguila, V. A. Powell, cattleman, Aguila, and Y. M. Martin.

Mr. Percy Jones, Chief Locating Engineer of the Highway Department, in conformance with the request preferred by the Commission at the meeting of March 3, 1939, had filed with the State Engineer a report on this proposed highway and the surveys now being made by the Highway Department and by the Reclamation Service. He was called before the Commission and showed them on a large contour map details of the different routes considered for the extension of Highway 93.

In closing, Mr. Ray petitioned the Commission to set up enough in the budget to make this survey, stating that the $10,000 already set up was insufficient. Upon question, Mr. Jones said that $10,000 was not enough to make this survey. It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe and unanimously carried, that this matter be taken under advisement and study and same be referred to the proper Department.

A telegram from Ramon Yocupicio, Governor of Sonora, Mexico, to Senators Coxon and Minotto, under date of March 7, 1939, was read by State Engineer Hutchins. This was in regard to the building of a road from Sonoyta to the Gulf of Mexico, to connect with a road from Ajo to Sonoyta in Arizona. This road has already been designated a State Route and will comprise about 38 miles of road to be built by the State Highway Department. The Commission asked Mr. Hutchins to reply to this telegram.

The State Engineer referred to a letter received from Frank Grubb, Forest Supervisor of the Crook National Forest, asking the use of Highway trucks in which to transport W. P. A. Highway workers in the vicinity of Globe and Miami to Forest fires that might break out in the Crook National Forest. Mr. Hutchins recommended that this request be granted with the stipulation that the State Highway Department's drivers be used. It was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and carried unanimously, that the State Engineer coperate with the Forest Service and W. P. A. in this request.

Reference was made to a letter written by Mr. Horace Wood and W. R. Hutchins, requesting construction of a highway from Hassayampa to Hope, which will connect with the Parker Highway. The State Engineer told the Commission that Mr. Jones, the Locating Engineer, was making a report on this matter, and was asked by the Commission to have this report presented to them at a later date.

A letter from H. P. Watkins, the Secretary of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and addressed to the Chairman of the Highway Commission, was referred to the Commission. This letter requested that funds be set up in the 1939-40 budget to be applied on State Highway 81 South; on State Highway 81 North, between Safford and Clifton; and on U. S. Highway 70 from Duncan west to Globe. The State Engineer was authorized to reply to Mr. Watkins.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 3:45 P. M., to meet again at 10:00 A. M. on March 24, 1939, or subject to call.

MARCH 17, 1939

The Arizona Highway Commission met in Special Session in its offices in the Highway Building, at 12:30 P. M., March 17, 1939. Those present were: Chairman Procter, Vice-Chairman Moore, Commissioners Bledsoe, Owens and Marley; also Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch, State Highway Engineer W. R. Hutchins and Assistant Secretary M. C. Hankins.

The Chairman stated that the first in the order of business to come before the Commission was the appointment of a Secretary of the Highway Commission. State Highway Engineer Hutchins recommended that the duties of the Secretary to the Highway Commission be extended to include the position of Chief Accountant, having supervision of all Highway Department financial operations both as to Revenue and Expenditures. It was regularly moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be approved and that M. L. Wheeler be and is hereby appointed Secretary of the State Highway Commission and Chief Accountant of the State Highway Department and that the salary of Mr. Wheeler be set at Forty-eight Hundred ($4,800.00) Dollars per annum, effective on or before April 1, 1939.

W. T. Allen, Superintendent of the Highway Patrol, having preferred a request to the State Engineer that authorization be given by the Highway Commission to change the color of all Patrol cars from copper color to black, it was moved by Commissioner Bledsoe, second-ed by Commissioner Moore and unanimously carried, that the color of the Patrol cars be changed from copper to block and that each carry the proper insignia on the back, designating same as a Patrol car.

An action having been taken by the former Commission, on January 14, 1939, approving the request of the Superintendent of the Highway Patrol that the title of Jack Buzzard be changed from Captain to Assistant Superintendent of the Highway Patrol, it was now moved by Com-missioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Owens and unanimously carried, that the salary of the Assistant Superintendent of the Highway Patrol be raised from $225.00 per month to $275.00 per month.

Reference was made by Chairman Procter to House Bill 205, which had been passed by both Houses of the Fourteenth Legislature and was now on the Governor's desk for signature or veto, and stated that a Resolution had been prepared by Special Counsel of the Arizona State Highway Department in reference to the subject matter of this Bill. Assistant Secretary Hankins then read the Resolution to the Commission. It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Commissioner Moore and unanimously carried, that the Resolution as read be adopted, duly signed by the members of the State Highway Commission, and forwarded to Governor Jones for his consideration, and that copies be also furnished to the State Auditor and the Press.

No further business being brought before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 12:45 P. M. to meet at 10:00 A. M. on March 24, 1989, or subject to the call of the Chair.

MARCH 24, 1939

The Arizona State Highway Commission met in Regular Session in its offices in the Highway Building, at 2:00 P. M., March 24, 1939. Those present were: Chairman J. M. Procter, ViceChairman R. E. Moore, Commissioners F. C. Bledsoe, Kemper Marley and L. B. Owens; also State Engineer W. R. Hutchins, Assistant Attorney General A. R. Lynch, Secretary M. L. Wheeler and Assistant Secretary, M. C. Hankins.

The Tentative Minutes of March 10, 1939 and March 17, 1939, were approved as read.

Awarding of contract on Kirkland Junction-Bagdad Highway, F. A. S. 4-A (1) (1939) A. F. E. 638.

It was recommended by State Engineer Hutchins that the contract on the bridge across the Santa Maria River, Kirkland Junction-Bagdad Highway, F. A. S. 4-A (1) (1939), be awarded to the low bidder, the Phoenix-Tempe Stone Co., in the amount of $42,190.58. It was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Moore and unanimously carried, that the recommendation of the State Engineer be accepted.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously carried, that the award on Item No. 1, Two Ford Cars, DeLuxe Fodor Sedan Type, be made to the lowest bidder, Ersel Garrison, Cottonwood, in the sum of $1591.76.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and unanimously carried, that the award on Item No. 2, One Model 61 Five Passenger Buick, be held in abeyance.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Bledsoe, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously carried, that the award on Item No. 3, One Automobile with 1 Ton Pickup Body, be made to the lowest bidder, Consolidated Motors, Phoenix, in the amount of $724.84.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously carried, that the award on Item 4, One Portable Air Compressor, be made to the lowest bidder meeting the Specifications, whose bid was properly submitted, Veermeersch, Co., Phoenix, in the amount of $1991.04.

A resolution transferring funds in the amount of $176,355.71 from A. F. E. 8416, F. A. P. 94-F, Tucson-Florence (Tucson-Marana), to A. F. E. 8608, F. A. P. 130-C, Benson-Steins Pass (Bowie to 130-B), was presented to the Commis-sion. It was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Owens, and unanimously carried, that said Resolution be adopted.

Mr. George V. McCormick, representing the Town Council of Tempe, appeared before the Commission and requested permission from that body to erect a memorial to the late Dr. B. B. Moeur, family doctor of Tempe and former Governor of the State of Arizona, this monument to be erected in the parkway north of Tempe Bridge, where Van Buren Street connects with the Scottsdale road. The City of Tempe proposed to furnish the monument and material for erection of same if the State Highway Department would furnish the labor.

Chairman Procter stated the Commission would take the matter under advisement.

Mr. Chris Totten, Secretary of the Lumbermen's Association, again brought to the Commission the request that cedar posts and posts of native wood be used on the Highways in place of steel posts. As the making of cedar posts is an Arizona industry and furnishes a living for several hundred men in the state, who might otherwise be on relief, it was felt, he said, that wherever possible to do so, these posts should be used.

Mr. Arthur Upson, Director of the Southwestern Range and Experiment Station, was also present, and spoke of numerous tests that had been conducted by the Forest Service for durability of different woods in contact with the soil; also of the appropriation Senator Hay-den was instrumental in obtaining for the Experiment Station for investigations including the durability and suitability of cedar for highway fences.

Others appearing before the Commission in the interest of cedar posts for use on the Highways, were M. C. Harden, of the Harden Post Camp, Hayden, and Floyd Wishart of Payson, who brought a sample of each type of post, cedar and steel.

Chairman Procter thanked the members of this committee for their presentation of the case and stated the Commission was exceedingly interested in the use of Arizona products wherever possible. The State Engineer was requested to make investigation and report.

H. P. Watkins, Secretary of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, introduced Glenn Hoopes, Chairman of that organization, Mr. E. D. Householder and Mr. W. E. Waldron. Mr. Watkins spoke once more in the interest of Highway 81 South, from Safford to Bowie Junction, and asked that the amount of $50,000.00 agreed by the former Commission to be expended on this road when averages accrued up to this amount, be now used and that further sums be set up for this road in the 1939-1940 budget. Mr. Watkins also asked for consideration of Highway 81 North, from Safford to Clifton and requested the Highway Department make a survey of the most feasible route between these two points and start construction this coming year if possible, as this is an extremely important artery. He asked the consideration of the Highway Commission for the straightening and realigning of Highway 70 from Safford to Globe.

Mr. John L. Larrieu, Justice of the Peace from Tombstone, asked the Commission that the stretch of road from Sonoita Junction towards Fairbanks, be paved or oiled and straightened. The dust causes extreme danger, he said, to bus loads of school children and motorists who pass over this stretch daily.

Mr. Vernon L. Clark, representing the Phoenix to Los Angeles Airline Highway Association, asked the Commission's consideration of a road from Perryville to Quartzsite, which would shorten considerably the distance between these two cities.

A letter from W. J. Graham, Secretary of the Senate, Fourteenth Legislature, was read, transmitting three Senate Resolutions, viz: Senate Resolution No. 1-requesting the State Highway Commission to designate the Aguila-Kingman Road as a State Highway; Senate Resolution No. 4-recommending the use of copper in the construction and maintenance of highways; and Senate Resolution No. 5-requesting the State Highway Commission to designate as a secondary route a highway from West Chandler to the northern boundary of the Papago Indian Reservation, via Maricopa and Casa Grande. These were received by the Commission, to be placed on file and receipt acknowledged by the Secretary. Senator Wm. Coxon of Casa Grande was present and spoke in behalf of the aforementioned Senate Resolution No. 5, proposing that the highway be built along the old railroad right-of-way now relinquished by the Southern Pacific Co., stating it would furnish an outlet to the Maricopa agricultural district and shorten the distance between Tucson and Phoenix.

Letters to the Commission were presented by Assistant Secretary Hankins: from Yuma-Mesa Fruit Growers Association regarding improvements of Highway 95 from Eighth Street in the valley to 16th Street on the mesa, Yuma County; from the Board of Supervisors of Yuma County recommending a survey from Wenden to the Alamo Bridge site; from the Wintersburg Civic Planners, Horace Wood, Vice-President, regarding the Hassayampa cut-off.

Mr. Milton Ray of Aguila spoke in behalf of the Aguila-Alamo-Kingman Highway.

Letter was read from the Oatman Council of the Arizona Small Mine Operators Association, also a Resolution from the Board of Directors of the Oatman-Goldroad Chamber of Commerce, asking the Commission that early action be taken on the improving and shortening of Highway 66 between Kingman, Arizona and Needles, California. These were received by the Commission, to be acknowledged and filed.

The Commission adjourned at 3:15 P. M., to meet again on March 25th.

MARCH 25, 1939

The Arizona State Highway Commission convened at 12:20 P. M., March 25, 1939, in its offices in the Highway Building, all members present. Present also, were State Highway Engineer Hutchins, Secretary Wheeler, Assistant Secretary Hankins and Assistant Attorney General Lynch.

As Governor Jones had designated the week beginning March 26, 1939, as "plant a tree" week, it was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe and unanimously carried, that a Resolution be adopted, authorizing and directing the Landscape Engineer of the State Highway Department to furnish and deliver certain trees from the State nursery for planting adjacent to or on the state highways. The Secretary was directed to mail a copy of said Resolution to each Chamber of Commerce in the State.

It was moved by Commissioner Owens, seconded by Commissioner Moore, and unanimously carried, that M. C. Hankins be appointed Assistant Secretary of the State Highway Commission, said appointment to be effective from March 1, 1939, at a salary of $225.00 per month. There being no further business to come before the meeting, the Commission adjourned at 12:30 P. M., to meet again at Prescott, Arizona, on March 27, 1939, at 10:30 A. M., to make an inspection of the highways in the Eastern and Northern part of the State.

MARCH 30, 1939

The Arizona State Highway Commission met in special session at 11:10 A. M., March 30, 1939, in its offices in the Highway Building. Those present were Chairman Procter, Vice-Chairman Moore, Commissioners Marley and Bledsoe, Commissioner Owens absent. Also present were State Highway Engineer Hutchins, Secretary Wheeler, Assistant Attorney General Lynch and Assistant Secretary Hankins.

Upon recommendation of the State Engineer, it was moved by Commissioner Marley, seconded by Commissioner Moore and unanimously carried, that the award on 6,000 gallons of white traffic lacquer and 200 gallons of thinner be made to the low bidder, Dan P. Maher of San Francisco, in the amount of $6,780.00.

State Engineer Hutchins brought to the attention of the Commission a right of way matter involving the trading to the State Highway Department of a 25 foot strip of land on each side of Highway 80, in the SE of Section 25, 148, 13E, owned by Mr. McGlamery of Tucson, for two parcels of land lying in the 400 foot right of way in the same section. Said parcels of land lie outside of the 150 foot right of way. The Right of Way Department is unable to furnish a Resolution regarding this exchange, due to discrepancies in the plat furnished by Mr. McGlamery and the Highway Department's Plans, necessitating a Field Survey. It was moved by Commissioner Moore, seconded by Commissioner Bledsoe and unanimously carried, that Mr. Hutchins be authorized to investigate this matter and negotiate with Mr. McGlamery in the premises.

No other business coming before the Commission, adjournment was had at 11:15 A. M., the Commission to meet at 9:00 A. M., at Wickenburg, Arizona, on April 4, 1939, for the purpose of making an inspection tour over the highways of the northwestern part of the State.