NEW COMMISSIONERS TAKE UP DUTIES

By M. C. HANKINS, Commission Secretary.

The Arizona State Highway Commission met in special session on March 16, 1931, with the three newly appointed members present. Messrs. C. E. Addams, Phoenix, John B. Hart of Douglas, and Jacob Barth of St. Johns.

Organization was effected by the election of C. E. Addams as chairman and John B. Hart as vice-chairman. The lenght of term of Commissioners C. E. Addams and Jacob Barth is to January 31, 1937. John B. Hart was appointed as commissioner in lieu of James F. McDonald, resigned, term expiring January 31, 1933.

Contract was awarded on the TucsonNogales Highway, F. A. P. No. 86-C and 86-E to Heitsch and Bitten, Nogales, Arizona, low bidder. This construction involves approximately 17 miles of oil processing by the road mix method from the end of the pavement North of Nogales extending North on U. S. 89. Date of completion is June 30, 1931.

This contract awarded on the basis of the employment of Arizona citizens at a minimum wage of $4.00 per day.

The governor transmitted a letter to the highway commission relative to the flooding of the highways by irrigators, particularly, near Chandler and Buckeye. The matter was deferred until information is secured from the Salt River Valley Water Users' association as to their cooperation and advice on the proper method of procedure to eliminate the nuisance.

Ask for New State Roads

A letter was presented from Mr. Harry O. Parks, president of the Sulphur Springs Valley chamber of commerce at Willcox, transmitted to the commissioners' office by the governor, requesting the establishment and location of a highway from Willcox through Aravapai Canyon to Winkleman. No action can be taken at this time.

A letter from the chamber of commerce of Florence was presented requesting the commission to take over the Hunt highway as part of the state system. The chamber of commerce was notified that no action would be taken at this time.

A letter was received from Mr. Wm. Allen Nickerson, Humboldt, together with a petition transmitted from the governor's office, requesting the commission to take over the Black Canyon road to the state system. Petitioners were notified that no action could be taken at this time.

The commission awarded the contract on the Winslow-Holbrook highway, F. A. P. No. 40-C, Schedule 2, to the low bidder, McGinty Construction company, Phoenix. This work involves 1600 feet of grading, draining, and paving out of Winslow east, and the draining and placing of surfacing on approximately three-fourths mile. To be completed by April 30, 1931. Requirements are that Arizona citizens be employed and that a minimum wage be paid in the amount of $4.00 per day.

The commission authorized the transfer of sufficient funds to seal coat the Douglas-Rodeo highway.

State engineer advised that the oil surfacing and widening of the culvert and structures on the Casa Grande-Picacho highway would be ready for construction in about three weeks.

Special Session

The commission met in special session on March 23, 24 and 25, 1931, with all members present except Commissioner Mansfield.

A delegation from Greenlee and GraMost of the trucks we see about the city streets are owned by Arizona concerns for the transportation of their own commodities. Unless special attention is drawn to the fact the average person does not realize that the highways of Arizona have become arteries of transportation that are growing in importance each day and that the tonnage now coming into the state and going out of it in huge trucks that carry half a freight car load of merchandise is reaching a point

Importance of Improved Highways in Transportatishe

Whereas it must be given serious ratio and bridges. This is particularly U.S Yuma, where the newly oil surfaways this kind of traffic. This motor ortat fees of the Motor Vehicle depart the equipment in the above pictures $2

APRIL, 1931 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Page Thirteen

Yuma, where the newly oil surfaways this kind of traffic. This motor ortat fees of the Motor Vehicle depart the equipment in the above pictures $2ham counties appeared before the commission requesting that additional funds be set up in the ensuing budget for the continuation of the widening of the Coronado Trail and also that a survey be made on a new alignment of State Highway No. 71 from the Junction of U. S. 180 east of Solomonvivlle to Clifton. The Commission instructed the state engineer to make a reconnaissance of the proposed new alignment with a view of setting up in the ensuing budget sufficient money for a complete survey and estimate, also consideration will be given for additional money for the widening of the Coronado Trail.

A delegation headed by Mr. John Dobson, President of the Water Users' association, appeared before the commission with reference to a new alignment of U. S. 80 from the Palm Service station, west of Mesa, straight through to Mill avenue at Tempe. State Engineer was instructed to make a preliminary survey on the proposed change so that it may be given consideration in the ensuing budget.

Mr. H. D. Lore of Apache county appeared before the Commission with reference to a proposed road from the bridge site over Puerco to U. S. Highway 66, which is a distance of approximately 5½ miles. This road is through the Petrified Forest and Adamana in Apache county. The matter to be fully investigated by the commission on their trip to Northern Arizona.

The Petrified Forest and Adamana in Apache county. The matter to be fully investigated by the commission on their trip to Northern Arizona.The right-of-way situation at Aguilla on the Wickenburg-Ehrenberg highway was settled by the commission for the alignment to run on the south side of the Santa Fe Railroad tracks, thereby eliminating two overpasses.

Approve Bridge Purchase

The commission approved the tentative agreement for the purchase of the Blythe bridge between California and Arizona in which the agreement will be forwarded immediately to the California commission for their approval in order that immediate construction can start on the Wickenburg-Ehrenberg highway with the release of Federal Aid funds.

A letter was presented from Miss Grace M. Sparkes, secretary of the Yavapai county chamber of commerce, with reference to Senate Bill No. 147 providing for the construction of a bridge across the Verde river or Beaver Creek near Camp Verde, in which the state highway commission is authorized and empowered to proceed with the erection of the bridge, provided that Yavapai county will agree to provide the connecting roadway between Clarkdale, Camp Verde and Fossil Creek. Further consideration to be given the matter in conference with the board of supervisors of Yavapai county and also to secure information from the Paradise Verde association as to probable time when construction will commence on the Verde River dam.

The state engineer was instructed by the commission to make a survey of the proposed road from Showlow to Concho.

Contract was awarded on the PhoenixTempe highway, F. A. P. No. 2-B, approaches to the Tempe bridge, to the low bidder R. H. Martin, Tucson. This work consists of grading, draining, and placing of subgrade stabilizer and is to be completed by June 30, 1931.

All bids on the Ash Fork-Kingman Highway, Ash Fork-Flagstaff, Ash Fork-Prescott, oil processing of approximately 22 miles were rejected on account of the bid on mineral aggregate being too high. A second call followed for new bids which are to be opened April 14, 1931.

Contract on the Holbrook-St. Johns Highway, F. A. P. No. 78-F, was awarded to the low bidder, H. L. Royden. Work consists of grading, draining, and placing of subgrade stabilizer from the town of Holbrook running easterly to-

own in Record Shipment of Arizona Wool to Coast

in the construction of highways . Highway 80 between Phoenix and are being given a severe test under on is reflected in the registration Arizona Highway department. The 74.50 in registration fees to obtain Arizona licenses, exclusive of the personal property tax on the trucks. Incidentally a motor vehicle inspector found two of the trailers in the picture were not registered in Arizona when this shipment started on its way to the coast and it cost $67.00 for plates for them before the load could proceed. It keeps inspectors busy checking freighters into the state who attempt to use our highways with license plates of neighboring states.

Page Fourteen ARIZONA HIGHWAYS APRIL, 1931

toward St. Johns and is to be completed by July 31, 1931. State highway engineer of California, goods.

State Engineer Resigns

State engineer tentatively submitted and the owners of the Ehrenberg bridge The purchasnig agent's name is now his resignation effecitve April 15, 1931. for the joint purchase of the structure followed by the legend "Purchases made Mr. John C. Hall of Eagar and Mr. as the federal government would not from 9:00 a. m., to 12:00 Noon only." Gibbons appeared before the commisapprove the use of federal aid on the This is, however, not an arbitrary rule sion with reference to the controversy highway from Wickenburg unless the and applies to the salesmen who call over the right-of-way on the Coronado states owned the brdige. Agreement on every day for orders. Those who sell Trail in Apache county, between the the joint purchase of the bridge was the department only occasionally, of federal government and Apache county. reached on March 7. This agreement course, may call and discuss their busiState engineer advised that the highway has now been approved by the commisness at any time, but I believe that since department had nothing to do with the sions and legislatures of both states the regular callers have become accuscontroversy as it is a matter entirely beand only the sanction of the federal butomed to the new rule that they are tween the Forest Service through the reau is needed for Arizona to start the uniformly pleased with the present Bureau of Public Roads and the County immediate improvement of the route. practice. of Apache. This is not a part of the state highway system. Work will be expedited by the highWhen competitive bids have been subway department so that all contracts mitted by several firms we usually open The letter of resignation of W. W. may be let on the projects at the earthese bids in the afternoon, at approxiLane, State Engineer, was read and acliest possible moment. This improvemately 2:00 p. m., and the vendors are cepted with regrets with date changed ment will shorten the distance between naturally expected to have a represeneffective as of May 1, 1931. Los Angeles and Arizona points more tative present to ascertain to whom the than any other road in the state as it business was allotted. On March 27, 1931, the Commission met in special session at 10:00 A. M. gives the most direct east and west with all members present. connections and will save many thouThis is a state institution, but I feel sands of dollars to motorists annually, that it should be conducted along lines Thomas S. O'Connell, district engithat now are being paid in the form of conducive to the best interests of all neer, was appointed as state engineer. tolls for crossing the Colorado river. of the people of the state, and I am attempting to carry on the duties of this W. R. Hutchins, office engineer, was transferred to district engineer in the position in identically the same manner South district. as I would were the business my own. E. M. Whitworth, superintendent of the motor vehicle department, was given the added duties of Field Efficiency engineer. The labor investigation was changed by turning over the duties of investigation and the inspection of all contracts regarding the employment of foreign labor to the four Motor Vehicle field inspectors. Plans, specifications, and estimate were reported under way for the construction of the first section of the Bisbee Divide.

Purchasing Department Adopts New Rules For Purchasing of Supplies NORTH DAKOTA

By W. C. JOYNER, Purchasing Agent Effective April 1st the purchasing department notified all vendors whose solicitors regularly call at the depart ment, that hereafter all purchases, unless emergency arises, will be made between the hours of 9:00 a. m. and 12 Noon. Due to the large amount of work necessary in getting out the myriad purchase orders it became absolutely necessary that some regulations be made to avoid the confusion of a large number of sales representatives who called each afternoon. A new sign has been installed in the main entrance requesting salesmen to transact their business with the purchasing department rather than with the heads of different departments. Unfortunately, in many cases during past years salesmen have adopted rather high pressure methods, and this resulted in some cases at least in requisitions being written calling for the particular represented by this salesman. As nearly as possible, every article bought by this department is purchased under competitive bidding, hence the necessity for the rule prohibiting salesmen from persuading supervising heads The North Dakota legislature last month passed a bill increasing the gasoline tax from 3 to 4 cents. The bill will take effect July 1. The tax will be divided 2½ cents to the state highway fund and 1½ cents to the counties. The Wisconsin state senate, by a vote of 22 to 10, passed a bill increasing the tax in that state from 2 to 4 cents. The same bill also repealed the personal property tax on automobiles, but increased the license fee or so called "weight tax."

Agreement To Purchase Blythe Bridge Hastens Arizona Road Program AUTO INCREASE SMALL

(Continued from page 4) Oddie-Colton bill with a possibility of a third being added. Relocation of the highway across one section is contemplated by the department and therefore is not included in this year's program. California has appropriated a half million dollars for the improvement of the highway on the California side to Blythe, and early construction from that side is assured. Following a conference between Governor Hunt and Governor Rolph of Cal ifornia, negotiations were entered into by State Engineer W. W. Lane and Col. Walter E. Garrison, director of the deLast year marked the smallest annual gain in the number of automobiles in use in the United States since the invention of the "horseless carriage," it is noted in reports reaching the Automobile Club of Southern California. There were less than one per cent more machines on the highways than in 1929. The actual increase in numbers was only 160,153, bringing the present total to 26,661,5596. It is pointed out by manufacturers that there is every indication of an increase in the manufacture and sale of cars in 1931.