DO YOU BELIEVE IN SIGNS?

JUNE, 1932 It is heard from those who have had experience.

Mr. Fred Black, proprietor of the Diamond Rock Lodge, situated on Buffalo Creek, one of the branches of the Black River, claims that the trout fishing this year is better than it has been for a number of years and that his guests, mostly from Phoenix and Prescott, are catching large ones.

All streams and lakes on the Apache National Forest are open to fishing. with the exception of the River Reservoir of Greer and the Little Colorado for one-half mile above and below the same. On the Apache reservation all streams are open, with the exception of the heads, and nearly all are sign-posted.

The guests of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Patterson of Sprucedale Lodge at Espero, about thirty miles south of Springerville, are well satisfied with the fishing at that point. Many of their guests are seeking trout streams located away from the beaten path, where they are establishing camps and intend to remain for some time.

Ed Lynn, proprietor of the Apache Tavern Hotel at Springerville, modestly proclaims himself an inexperienced fisherman and could catch no fish at all at first. He finally took lessons from an old time fisherman and after that he had no trouble catching the limit within a short period of time. Most of the trout caught by him measured from nine to twelve inches and were of the Rainbow and native variety.

There are many delightful lodges scattered through the mountains, where excellent accommodations and food may be obtained. A few of these are: The Greer Lodge at Greer; Steinberger's Ranch on the Little Colorado near Springerville; Diamond Rock Lodge on Buffalo Creek (post-office Springerville); Sprucedale Lodge at Espero; White Mountain Lodge at Nutriosa; Tenney's Lodge at Alpine Coronado Lodge at Alpine, and Bill Johnson's ranch on the Blue.

Many vacationists are finding it convenient to stop at the Apache Tavern and other hotels in Springerville or at the different camp grounds, from which places they make trips to the many points of interest, such as the Bottom-less Crater Lake, or "Sacred Lake of the Zunis"; the Apache Indian Reservation; the Zuni Indian villages north of St. Johns, the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. Also to the Valley of Dwarfed Trees, K. P. Point on the Coronado Trail, where a view may be had into Old Mexico, and to Lyman Lake between Springerville and St. Johns, where perch and other fishing may be had. Also all fishermen are welcome to fish at Becker Lake, two and a half How many persons are there who, observing an act of vandalism in the nature of road sign destruction, will take it upon themselves to bring the offender to justice? And yet this same person would not hesitate to defend his own property against similar depredations. It never seems to dawn upon the average citizen that a road sign is as much his property and responsibility as his home, and that he should defend it against defacement or destruction as quickly as he would resent the heaving of bricks through his windows or the mutilation of his trees or lawn. The average citizen forgets that part of his tax money pays for road signs and they are not cheap.

Too often those who deliberately deface and destroy road signs go unpunished, not because there is no law for the protection of the people's property, but due to the fact that the possible observer is too indifferent to report the offense to the proper authorities.

This indifference is inexcusable. Not until the traveling taxpayer is brought to realize that this particular form of vandalism is a direct tax upon his pocket-book, may we hope for better co-operation, less maintenance cost, less destruction and the efficient maintenance of the adopted standards for the erection and care of road signs.

These signs are erected along our highways for the protection, warning, direction and benefit of the traveling public; and any defacement or destruction increases the hazard of traveling and may cause serious accidents.

The signing of the highway is not done at haphazard. Each sign location is studied for the proper angle, that it may best serve its intended purpose. The cost of the signs is high, and if the public will but co-operate in the way of protection and information leading to the apprehension of the moron who destroys these safeguards, the burden of maintenance wlli be decreased to a noticeable degree.

True, there are many who travel our highways who do not believe in signs, also there are many "blind" drivers. One of the sign foreman had a ludicrous experience not long ago with one of these "blind" drivers the type which sees but observes not. The foreman had been engaged repainting and furbishing a standard "sharp-curve" sign at a dangerous place in the road, when a heavy car, driven by a woman, swerved around the curve and left the road, overturning and pinning the occupants beneath the car. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and after being hauled from beneath the car and allowed to regain her normal composure, the driver insisted she had not seen the sign; if she had the accident would not have occurred. She further insisted that some one would have to be sued, although she was undecided just whom, but someone would have to pay for the damage to her car and ruffled feelings. All this in an accident for which she alone was responsible. The foreman, after it was all over, decided that Darwin didn't know the half of it.

This accident happened to have an amusing side; but too often the tragic element is brought to us when road-signs are ignored or destroyed.

Let us have your co-operation in the protection of our signs.

CLEAN ROADSIDES INVITE TRAVEL

About the most contemptible of the many people who misuse public property is the person who uses the public roadside as a dumping ground for rubbish. It is hardly necessary to call attention to the disgusting variety of junk which litters our highways in spite of the efforts of those whose work it is to keep things tidy. Within the last few weeks, we have noticed everything from tin cans to discarded bedsteads and stoves strewn along the roads.

Without question, the offenders make use of the quickest and easiest method of disposal. Nothing could be simpler than to load a carton of refuse into the family car, go for a joy ride and then kick the stuff out enroute.

But society pays a stiff price for the thoughtlessness of individuals. Our highway system is one of the finest in the country. Great sums have been spent not only on the building of the roads but on the clearing and beautification of right of way. Our trunk routes are the show windows through which visitors from other states view our great resources. What a pity, then, that the great resource of roadside beauty should be marred by slovenly, unthinking people who would never dream of leaving litter on their own lawns yet who dump it without compunction in the front yard of the state.

miles from Springerville, upon receiving a permit from the owners.

Equipment may be secured, wearing apparel, groceries, fishing licenses, permits to fish on the Apache Reservation, and all necessary information, at Springerville.