Vehicle Registration Increases

Page Sixteen ARIZONA HIGHWAYS APRIL, 1929 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS

PUBLISHED IN THE INTEREST OF GOOD ROADS BY THE

ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

VOL. V. APRIL, 1929 No. 4

ARIZONA STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION

Jas. F. McDonald, I. P. McBride, Chairman, Globe Monte Mansfield, Vice-Chairman, Bisbee Commissioner, Tucson W. R. Wayland, Samuel R. Trengove, Commissioner, Phoenix Commissioner, Prescott

M. C. Hankins, Secretary, Phoenix

GENERAL OFFICE

W. W. Lane ......State Highway Engineer C. C. Small W. R. Hutchins, Deputy State Engineer Office Engineer E. M. Whitworth, M. H. Hasler, Vehicle Superintendent Equipment Engineer R. A. Hoffman, J. W. Powers, Bridge Engineer Engineer of Materials E. V. Miller, J. S. Mills, Engineer of Plans Engineer of Estimates

J. P. Dillon Ira W. Wagnon, Right-of-Way Agent

Purchasing Agent R. L. Jones, A. H. Lind, Superintendent Stores Chief Accountant

FIELD ENGINEERS

R. C. Perkins T. S. O'Connell, Construction Engineer Construction Engineer, Northern District Southern District F. N. Grant, Percy Jones, Maintenance Engineer Maintenance Engineer, Northern District Southern District.

Geo. B. Shaffer, Paving Engineer

VINCENT J. KEATING, EDITOR

Subscription rates, $1.00 per year. Single copy 10 cents Advertising rates furnished on request Address All Communications to Editor ARIZONA HIGHWAYS PHOENIX, ARIZONA ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

THE GENTLE APACHE

A few days ago we received a letter from some dweller in the far east, Iowa possibly, asking if it were safe for travelers to visit the Indian reservations of Arizona. We replied that after reading the dailies of some of our great cities we were convineed that an Arizona Indian Reservation was the safest place on earth.

It may act as a disappointment when the traveler to our clime first views the noble red man of today. Buttoned into a blue denim Levi and his reservation he is not as picturesque as of yore, but infinitely more inocuous. We who live in Arizona prefer him that way. Now when he feels the cosmic urge strong upon him he may descend upon the ranches bordering his reservation and sate his blood lust by butchering a sheep or cow.

About three years ago we were motoring through the Apache Reservation when suddenly a fierce warrior blocked our path right arm acting as semaphore, the straight black hair outlining a face of incredible cruelty. We confess to a moment of panic. A scalpless future faced us until we noticed the battered tin can in the noble red man's left hand and we breathed again, realizing that he was thoroughly civilized and had learned from his white brother the gentle art of "bumming gas" for his decrepit flivver. With the wrongs of our state strong upon us we rolled on and left him to his fate. Possibly the last Indian tragedy to be written into the history of Arizona occurred about two years ago. Wishing that our reading public may be thoroughly apprised of the perils which lie in wait for the traveling public we feel impelled to relate the incident.

APRIL, 1929 A party of motorists, six or seven in number, left Flagstaff on one of the less frequented roads, traveling south. About fifteen or twenty miles from Flagstaff, on topping a hill overlooking a broad mesa, what was their horror to see a group of several hundred savages, half naked, in all the horrid panoply of war paint and feathers, tomahawk and scalping knife, engaged in some hideous rite of their kind. The howls of the Indians apparently drowned the noise of the motor and the tourists felt that so far they were unobserved. They drove the car off the road into the sheltering wayside bushes while they themselves sought shelter in the neighboring rocks, from which they watched, terror-stricken their relentless foes. All afternoon the yells, war-whoops and dances continued, and only with the coming of night did the uproar cease. The fugitives were afraid to venture forth, however, not knowing what ambush they might encounter. They were in a truly desperate plight, without food or water, no camping facilities, not even a fire-arm with which, in case of capture, they might insure to themselves a merciful death and escape torture and the stake.

It was finally decided that, under cover of darkness, one of the younger members of the party be sent back to Flagstaff for aid. Lest the noise of the motor disclose their whereabouts, it was decided that the journey be made on foot. It was a dreadful journev. Not daring to keep the highway for fear he might run into one of the Indian Scouts the messenger traveled nearly all night. About dawn he staggered into the town, and on reporting the plight of his friends, met ready assistance. A large party hastened to rescue the beleagured ones and deal summary justice to their invaders. But alas! It was too late. The motion picture outfit had changed location and the "savages" were gone.

Registration of motor vehicles in the United States totalled 24,493,124 in 1928, according to figures collected by the U. S. Bureau of Public Roads. This is an increase of 1,359,883 over 1927, or 5.9 per cent. In addition 148,169 trailers and 117,946 motorcycles were registered.

For the first time one state went over the two million mark, New York, with 2,083,942. Next in rank are California with 1,799,890, Ohio with 1,649,699, Pennsylvania with 1,642,207, Illinois with 1,504,359, Michigan with 1,249,221 and Texas with 1,214,297. Minnesota had 673,573.

New York collected a total of $34,306,706 in license taxes. Pennsylvania comes second with $27,113,777, Michigan third with $20,056,848, Texas fourth with $17,701,251 and Illinois fifth with $15,521,530. Total registration fees, penalties, permit charges, etc., for all the states were $322,630,025.

ANNUAL REPORT ARIZONA AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION

Indeed (Continued from page 15) dece of motorists in a marked degree, and upon this sure foundation is funetioning with credit to the club and with profit to the policy holders.

The increase in the volume of business handled by this department has been very marked indeed. While it is yet too early to give reliable statistics. it is very evident that this will be one of the most important departments of the club. Not only are we saving our members considerable money, but losses are adjusted without the usual delay and members are saved much inconvenience.

MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT

This department is now functioning better and more efficiently than ever before, and new members are being added daily. This work is being thoroughly systematized and carried on in a business like manner. It is our purpose to establish branches at different strategic points throughout the state at the earliest possible date. In the list of hotels and garages we have enrolled practically all of the more desirable establishments. The work of the theft bureau has been carried on through the club, but has not yet reached sufficient volume to warrant the establishment of a special department. We have paid a number of rewards for the recovery of members' cars and have cooperated with the peace officers throughout the state. A large number of the peace officers have expressed their appreciation of the helpful service of the club in this particular branch of work.

THEFT BUREAU TOURING DEPARTMENT

Sixteen branches of the touring department have been established in the various chambers of commerce throughout the state. These in addition to headquarters, have handled thousands of calls for touring information. This department has been particularly fortunate in being able to interest the tourists in Arizona, and to keep them in the state for a much longer period than heretofore. Many of the tourists, after remaining for a time, have become permanent residents of Arizona, and many others have made investments aggregating a very large amount. Through our close connection with all the leading motor clubs, we have direct contact with hundreds of thousands of motorists, and the efficiency with which every branch of this department has cooperated in this work, has resulted in the most profitable season that Arizona has ever experienced. If the club performed no other function than the work of its touring department, it has repaid Arizona many times the entire cost of the club to date.

This association is unique, in that it has been able to harmonize the work of its touring department and to combine the same with that of the several chambers of commerce into a very efficient organization, the benefits of which have been widely distributed, reaching every section of the state. In no other state has the automobile club and the chambers of commerce worked so harmoniously together, each assisting the other, resulting in a real saving and an outstanding accomplishment for Arizona.

Not only has it taken care of a very large number of calls at the various offices, but has handled thousands of telephone calls and has answered hundreds of inquiries from all parts of the country.

It has also collected and distributed a large amount of data concerning recreation areas, furnishing tourists and members planning vacation trips, with accurate data regarding the routes and available accommodations.

TOURING DEPARTMENT

Quantities of literature consisting of circulars, pamphlets and booklets, descriptive of Arizona have been distributed by this department, in addition to the large amount sent by mail in answer to numerous inquiries.

Photos and data have been furnished some of the clubs in the large cities of the middle west for publication in their National Tour books. Articles describing interesting side trips from the main highways in Arizona have been prepared and have been broadcasted through the courtesy of the A.A.A. clubs. The value of this work must be apparent to every citizen of Arizona..

ROUTE AND MAP SERVICE

Considerable time and money has been expended in bringing this service up to the high standard which it has attained. The very latest state map has been provided and great care has been exercised in supplying accurate information essential to the tourist. Nothing has been overlooked and we have had numerous compliments from other clubs and from the tourists upon the accuracy of the information supplied on our map. More than 60,000 Arizona state maps have been distributed during the year without charge. A good indication of the value of our state map is the demand forthe same by other clubs, e. g., we have recently filled an order from the California State Automobile Association for 2000 copies. In addition, we have distributed many thousand A.A.A. maps, covering the entire United States and Canada.

NEWS AND MAGAZINE DEPT.

Through contract with the Arizona State Highway Department, we have secured space in the "Arizona Highways" in which our road bulletin and other matter of interest to our members is published This has been supplemented by Detour Bulletins, appearing regularly in newspapers throughout the state. Recently, we have established an additional Bulletin service, regarding detours and other matters concerning the highways, which is distributed to our touring branches, emergency service stations, garages and official hotels. This fills a long felt want in furnishing up-to-the minute information regard the highways. All of our touring branches and emergency road service stations are instructed to immediately send us reports regarding any unusual road conditions in their particular territory. Thus, we are able to give accurate information regarding any highway.

EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE DEPT

This service has been of inestimable benefit to our members and members of recognized automobile clubs, traveling in the state. We have received some complaints and upon investigating, almost every one of these was found to be without justification. In addition, we have received a number of letters from all over the United States, speaking in high terms of the efficient and courteous treatment received from our emergency road service stations.

It is with great satisfaction that we are able to point with pride to the enviable record that has been established by our emergency stations. This has been recognized by the A.A.A. headquarters at Washington, through the favorable reports sent in by their field representatives, who have made a careful check of the work of this department in Arizona. The promptness with which our service cars have responded and the thoroughly efficient service rendered is worthy of special mention. During the recent Casa Grande Pageant, our patrol service rendered valuable emergency service to a number of people, which was highly apprciated.

It has not been possible for us to enumerate