Along the Highways and Byways

This, our Christmas issue, is the final book of volume XV of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS. It represents the twelfth issue of the year Nineteen Thirty Nine and as we close it we look back upon a year of editing that has been more fun than marbles. We have tried to make each issue truly representative of the grandest state in America . . . Arizona . . . and it has been our constant endeavor to portray Arizona-scenic, industrial, historical-accurately and well. We are rather proud of our state, proud to show it off "pretty," proud to have you know and see it as we know and see it.

As we say, the year has been more fun than marbles (Editor's Note: And they pay you for doing it!) Through our pages have passed the work of many people-writers, photographers, artists. In the reproduction of this work has appeared the excellent handicraft of our printers, the good gentlemen of the Courier up Prescott way, our engravers, those excellent hands at the Republic & Gazette Engravery and the Phoenix Engraving company, and those lithographing gents at the latter plant. We always sing the praises of those who have taken our material and presented it in such nice form. Printers can make or break an editorial staff easier than anything. We can truthfully say our printers are the best ever. (Note to the printers: A Merry Christmas!) We have received some nice letters from readers all over the country, from Canada and from abroad, commenting on our book. For such thoughtfulness are we exceedingly grateful as we are pleased to know of the magazine's reception. All of our mail has been fun and for that do we voice our appreciation as the year Thirty Nine draws to a close.

We would also like to express our thanks as we close the volume for another year to all those thoughtful and gracious men and women whose interest in the magazine has added so much to our pages. To these members of "our happy family" goes the credit of this book-for photography, articles, poems and sketches-the sum total of which has been, we believe, a rather complete portrayal of Arizona. Without such interest our pages would be very dull, indeed. In reviewing our cover portraits of Arizona for the past year, two have elicited more-than-normal comment. One was the donkey picture in March, by Max Kegley, and the other a view of the large falls in Havasu Canyon by Josef Muench.

We have shown the work of many of Arizona's outstanding photographers in our pages these past twelve months. Curiously enough, Milton Snow's portrait of the "Navajo Boy" in August issue drew, perhaps, most comment of our pictorials. We sincerely hope our photographer-contributors continue with us.

We have had some interesting articles in these pages all of which have added to the value and color of the book. One of these articles, "Brotherhood of Snakes," by Mrs. White Mountain Smith, was reproduced in part by World Digest of November-December, 1939. Others have found their way into other publications. Few of our articles are received on assignment. Interested people find interesting things to write about in this state-and there you have a magazine ready for the press.

As a single feature we believe our "Arizona Sketch Book" has maintained a sustained popularity with our readers. One such feature, the etchings by George Elbert Burr, in August issue, was possibly our most successful feature of the year. Our only omission was that we did not have ten times more magazines to fill the demand.

tion has made and is making great strides in the develop-ment of motor travel in the north, and we hope the next year will see a similar organ-ization developed in Southern Arizona and finally an asso-ciation formed for the promo-tion of statewide travel. Arizona is the perfect travel and vacationland. By our united efforts we can succeed in making the world familiar with our attractions and recre-ational possibilities.

As we review the year we wish to say that we are proud to be a part of the organiza-tion responsible for the build-ing and maintenance of the highways of Arizona. And we wish to express publicly our appreciation for the interest and encouragement shown in our publications department by members of the Arizona highway commission and the state engineer. No one could have better bosses than we have, and if ARIZONA HIGHWAYS enjoys any success much of that is due to these gentlemen for their interest and support and enthusiasm.

We hope to be with you again soon with another book, the beginning of a New Year and a new volume. Until then Season's Greetings and Happy Traveling to everyone.... R. C.