HRIZONHHIGHWAYS FEBRUARY • 1951 . THIRTY-FIVE CENTS , l /jJI I\fj

Spring has a good press. The poets make much ado about birds, bees, flowers and the sprightliness of the season. They neglect such mundane subjects as spring house cleaning and overlook the melancholy fact that armies with evil intentions march when the snow melts. We hope our only concern is with flowers, bees and birds and things like that. As for spring house cleaning, just open the doors and let the house air out. Why joust with vacuum cleaners and mops when spring beckons? Spring does a good job of beckoning in the desert land. It is our pleasure to show you some panoramas of the desert and desert plateau country when nature's fashion calls for spring dress. We wish we could promise the most colorful spring ever but the effiorescence of spring depends on the rainfall. We have had a darned dry "dry spell" hereabouts, broken only by a good rain in late January. If the rains keep on, then we can predict a real pretty March, April and May, but who the heck is going to be silly enough to try to tell whether it'll rain. Anyway, we'll promise you grand weather. An Arizona spring can't be beat. The weather had better be perfect! Sometime this month a group of wonderfully agile and extremely well paid young men who answer to the roll call of the Cleveland Indians, and another group of even more agile and even better paid young men who form the New York Yankees baseball team arrive in Tucson and Phoenix for spring training, the latter to get ready to defend the World's Championship, the former to try to bring it to Cleveland. Is it any wonder that we are baseball-minded out here in Arizona with two major league clubs our guests in the middle of the sunny desert? Our congenial colleague, Jerry McLain, gives us some news of spring training in this state and tells us about our good neighbor, Del Webb of Phoenix, co-owner of the Yankees, and how come the Yanks came West this year instead of going to Florida. We might add one more adjective to spring in the desert: lively. An air-minded young man by the name of Al Leach, who re­ ports air news for the Arizona Republic, Phoenix, brings to these pages an account of air travel in Arizona under the title of "Vaga­ bond Wings." This is about the small plane ownei:s who flit about ( flit may not quite be the word) where their fancy wills, to see a lot and do a lot without too much trouble. They say that air travel conquers distance. In this land of big and dreamy distances the air traveler, or vagabond if you wish, has the distance and the weather tailored for his needs, and not only for his needs but for his most vagrant whim. We devote some space herein to a community development of which Arizona is justly proud: the Crippled Children's Clinic in Tucson. We think this story illustrates the kind of town and kind of people you'll find in Tucson: good neighborly, willing to work together for the common good, accepting responsibilities of others as their own to make their community a better place for all. This chapter in the Tucson story is one all communities could study with profit. What has been done in Tucson could be done in any community, if it were done in the Tucson manner and with the Tucson spirit.-R. C.

OPPOSITE PAGE "PmcKLY PEAR" BY JosEF MUENCH. The Prickly Pear is one of the Opuntia genus of Cactacea. There are 260 species of Opimtia (oh-PUN-she-a), of which 88 are found in the United States. Many of these are found in Arizona. The familiar Cholla is included in the genus. Englemann's Prickly Pear, shown here, is one of the large Opuntias found in this state. The plant is a large shrub, six to twelve feet across and from three to fiv e feet tall. Flowers appear in April and May, which turn in July to purple or maroon-purple fruit, much used by Indians in the making of very delectable jams and preserves. where in the area, including Agua Prieta in Sonora, Mexico. Let us go west after Douglas, possibly stopping in at Fort Huachuca. The 40,000 acre reservation, now belonging to the State of Arizona, and the beautiful Huachuca mountain region was being developed as a recreational area with ex­ cellent housing facilities, until the Air Force took over. Then we can go on west to the Nogales International Air­ port, managed by George Oberdorf. With a little advance notice, George can clear us into Mexico in minutes instead of hours, and explain that private fliers can go all the way to Mexico City if they like in any kind of a small airplane for a $10 fee on the plane, and $2.10 per person for a tem­ porary turista permit good for thirty days. Flying possibili­ ties in Old Mexico is a big story in itself. Instead of going into Mexico, let us fly west again across the wonderful desert country to Ajo, which has a fine war­ time air base as an airport, and we can get a good look at a large copper mine operation. • Central Arizona is only a short hop north across Gila Bend's landing strip in completing the tour. Colorado airniinded d to the find toond, Some other day, let us consider the possibilities of a trip erland I. Navajolart iere. west to enjoy the Colorado River country from Yuma to fro1')1, Boulder City, Lake Mead, and the Grand Canyon. En route to Yuma with 5,000 feet of altitude again, we cross the edge of the Estrella mountains, south of Buckeye, and pick up the Southern Pacific railroad tracks if we fly the "iron compass." Few people know about it, but if we like we can turn north from the Hyder area and in about five minutes be able to land most anyplace right in the desert because during the war the army held maneuvers here and long, smooth Desert picnic areas are of easy access to plane owners. gravel stretches can be found easily. . BY AL LEACH This is ideal for rock hounds for here is nearly virgin mineral territory, or for a desert picnic where privacy is as­ Phoenix and fields of Salt River Valley are pretty from air. PHOTOGRAPHS BY HERB MCLAUGHLIN sured. There isn't a soul within miles. We go on to Yuma-it's the marrying town that has many airborne elopers because of no waiting period-there is the Try a pair of wings and really enjoy Arizona's scenic Tombstone, Bisbee-Douglas, Nogales, Ajo, and the country~ big county airport or the Marsh strip along the river and wonders. side in between. Quickly we realize we could spend several within walking distance of the business section. Wings will open vistas of beauties beyond the compre­ days on 'this junket alone-there are so many things we But let us go fishing on the Colorado, instead. Jess Fisher hension of earthbound souls. They bring snow-clad moun­ can do. has cut a landing strip along Martinez Lake a few miles tains, cool pine forests, deep canyons, and the sun-warmed With 5,000 feet of altitude we will enjoy the perfect north of Yuma, and it is possible to hook big bass weighing desert land into incomparable focus. checkerboard of Central Arizona irrigated farmlands, and as much as nine pounds while casting from the airplane. Wings make seconds of miles from the big bass of the notice the many Flying Farmers, who have their own flight Jess has boat and overnight accommodations, or we can Colorado River to the fighting trout in the north and eastern strips. The welcome mat is rolled out always on every one, go up to Cibola where there is another dirt landing spot. uplands of the state, and from the wild game of Old Mexico and it is difficult to fly anywhere in the state without being Cibola is a section of the Colorado which some fishermen to deer on the North Rim. in gliding distance of a farm or a ranch private airport. claim is the best of all. And wings will provide fleet access to wonderful lodges, There are the San Tan mountains to the southeast along One of the best places along the Colorado where an air­ dude ranches, working cattle spreads, or even a lonely desert the path of flight, then Coolidge, the strange Picacho Peak, plane really pays off is at Site Six on Lake Havasu above spot in such pleasant fashion that only the "have-to-be" re­ which is a famed landmark for aerial travelers, and why Parker Dam. It requires nearly a day of hard automobile sponsibilities of life like work and home will keep one from don't we dog-leg and climb over to the 8,000 foot high driving to reach Site Six, yet it is only two hours in the becoming a perpetual vagabond. Catalina mountains, north of Tucson, to see a pine tree be­ slowest airplane from Central Arizona. It is so easy to satisfy the biggest whim imaginable with fore setting down at any of Tucson's several excellent air­ Mr. and Mrs. Vic Spratt own the former air force rest a little airplane in Arizona where the flying weather carries ports for serv(ce and food. camp, and two fine 6,000-foot long runways will handle four­ a standing title of Cavu, ( ceiling and visibility unlimited), a Around Tucson there are several ranches with landing engine aircraft. The airborne fishermen at Spratt's are guarantee that is rarely collected upon. You fly when you strips. The airport operators gladly tell you of accommoda­ numerous all the time so popular has the place become be­ want to go-in Arizona. tions such as Ruth Dailey's Thunderbird Ranch, which the cause of its good accommodations. A list of all the things that can be done with an airplane former Wasp pilot built especially as a Pilot's Roost in the The area around Lake Mead and Boulder (Hoover) Dam in Arizona reels out like a never ending odyssey in color. Let foothills of the Rincons. offers wonderful scenic and sports opportunities for the vaga­ us try an aerial tour in each cardinal direction as an indica­ We can stop at Tombstone's new airport and wander bond on wings. A flight up Boulder Canyon is an experience tion W\th Central Arizona as the starting point-Central Ari­ around the Town-That-Was-Too-Tough-To-Die. At Douglas, in itself and the lake is a jewel ·of beauty from an airplane. zona merely because vagabonds have to start their wander­ Grant MacCurdy welcomes us to Bisbee-Douglas airport, ings from somewhere'.\ and he will offer complete resort facilities right on the base , Today we want to see the south of Arizona: Tucson, down to horses and swimming pool, or transportation any- (Please turn to page thirty-three)

PAGE TWO • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 Some rather unusual coincidences led to this Yankee nix is Del Webb's home town, and that he is eager to show spring training junket to Arizona. off his team to his neighbors and friends. To that extent it There was, for instance, the coincidence of a young was a pleasure to accede to his request for the transfer. I do pitcher whose arm went bad and soured him on baseball, want to emphasize, however, that the Giants will be back and how many years later he became a Yankee owner. ( But in Phoenix in 1952." that's another story, and an interesting one). So Arizona baseball fans will be privileged to sit on the There was the coincidence of Del Webb selecting Phoe­ sidelines and watch the conditioning at Phoenix and Tucson nix to begin a career of which baseball was no counterpart, of some of the American League's finest talent, not to men­ and of his remaining in Phoenix even after he became suc­ tion witnessing the "Grapefruit League" spring exhibition cessful beyond his fondest dreams, even after he startled games in which major leaguers test their pre-season mettle. the sports world with his partnership with Dan Topping in The Yankees play nine of their spring exhibitions in Phoe­ purchase of the Yankees. nix, and the Indians will be in action nine times at Randolph Then there was the coincidence of the friendship of Park in Tucson. Besides Yankee-Indian clashes in both cities, Webb and Topping with affable Horace Stoneham, owner they are scheduled for pre-season tests with the St. Louis of the New York Giants. Browns, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago For it was this friendship that made it possible for Del Cubs. Webb to arrange to bring his Yankees to Phoenix. The Arizona schedule for the Yankees: March 10; 12 and For four seasons Horace Stoneham has moved his Giants April 3, Indians at Tucson; March 11, 13 and April 2, Indians to this oasis in a desert land, and, while Phoenicians ;lways at Phoenix; March 27 and 28, White Sox at Phoenix; March root for the Yankees because of Webb's ownership, they rally 29 and 30, Cubs at Phoenix; March 31 and April 1, Pirates at behind the Giants in every National League race. No doubt Phoenix. the baseball followers in the Arizona capital look upon Con­ The Indians' Arizona schedule: March 10, 12 and April tractor Webb as Mr. Baseball, but they also have a great af­ 3, Yankees at Tucson; March 11, 13 and April 2, Yankees at fection for the likeable Stoneham. Phoenix; March 27 and 28, Browns at Tucson; March 29 and And so sold on Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun is the 30, Pirates at Tucson; March 31 and April 1, Cubs at Tucson. Giants' owner that in agreeing to the one-year "swap" of The "Hot Stove League" has buzzed all winter about the training sites, which sends his club this year to the Yankee Yankees. Were they lucky, or were they really superior camp_ in St. Petersburg, Fla., Stoneham told his friends: champions in beating the Philadelphia Phillies four straight "We have found Phoenix ideal for spring training, and in the 1950 World Series? Well, even Del Webb admits the answer probably lies Del E. Webb, of Phoenix, is president of one of the Nation's important building firms and co-owner of the N. Y. Yankees, the frankly I hesitated a long time before agreeing to this ar­ best in baseball. Because he always wanted to show the Yanks to Phoenix and Arizona, his club is training here this year. rangement. The training field at Phoenix, the weather, and somewhere between the two. The Yanks had their share of the wholehearted support of the Phoenix people have ex­ luck in the Series-as they have had for two straight seasons. ceeded our fondest expectations in each of the four years But they also showed greatness in the sense that they had the Giants have trained here, and the association has been superlative pitching, brilliant fielding and opportune hitting completely happy. from the opening of the season down to the final Series game. "At the same time I have always appreciated that Phoe- The 1950 Yankees may have been a far cry from the

Young Del Webb wanted to be a ball player. 1n;uries cut off a promising career and turned him to contracting. But his love BY JERRY McLAIN for the game has never diminished. Below, left, at 15, with Fresno Power Co.; center, as ?tate leaguer; right, able pitcher.

The "Fightingest Club in Baseball" comes to Arizona's Webb puts on a full-dress presentation, from Joe DiMaggio capital city of Phoenix this February to sharpen its claws to Phil Rizzuto, from Vic Raschi to Jerry Coleman. for the 1951 test of its invincibility on the diamond. Of course, the Yankees won't be the only major league The New York Yankees, with 01' Casey Stengel himself baseball team training under Arizona's sunny spring skies. at the helm, will do their spring training this year in Phoe­ The Cleveland Indians are due to return this month to the nix sunshine, ironing out the kinks, trimming down the mild spring climate afforded at Tucson. poundage and testing the batting eyes for a third consecu­ Other teams are taking notice of Arizona as ideal for tive defense of their American League and world baseball spring training. The San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast championships. League will train for the first time at Yuma, and Head Man Thus will be written new chapters in two different suc­ William Starr has an option on Panther Field there for 1952. cess stories. Folks at Mesa still had high hopes during the winter of For the New York Yankees, this will be their first spring persuading the Oakland Oaks to change their minds about training in the West. possible travel difficulties because of war measures and get And for Del E. Webb, the tall, spare Phoenix building back to Rendezvous Park to tune for defense of that Pacific contractor who owns and operates a half interest in this Coast League championship they annexed after their first fabulous baseball organization, this will be his first oppor­ visit to Mesa last year. If the Oaks are not available, another tunity to show the Bronx Bombers to the home folks. major or minor league club will be sought to make use of Some of the Yankees were out here last spring ... Stengel Mesa's fine training facilities . . . . Yogi Berra ... Bill Dickey ... Frank Crosetti . . . Hank But not even Cleveland's visit to Tucson in the spring of Bauer ... Jim Turner ... Cliff Mapes .. . and a few of the 1949 as the then American League and World Series cham­ others, teaching young players some of the finer points of the pions created the stir among baseball-minded Arizonans ex­ game in a Yankee coaching school. But this time Owner pected to follow arrival of the Yankees this month in Phoenix.

PAGE FOUR • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 to get ready for 1951 baseball season. The Yanks, no! the champs, are coming. This gallant baseball outfit will be in Phoenix for their spring training this year. Down in Tucson another crackerjack club, the Cleveland Indians, will arrive this month

run ever hit in the St. invincible Yankee machines welded together in the past. Since 1901 the Indians have captured the American unexcelled spring training weather, but that few exhibitions hitting, he clouted the longest home They lacked the color and the power of the Murderer's Row, League flag only twice, first in 1920 under the tutelage of in Arizona ever are rained out, and over-all attendance on Helena ball park. is, though, that rather than and some of the Bronx Bombers of the Miller Huggins and Tris Speaker and again in 1948 with Lou Boudreau at the the spring tour-which helps "pay the freight" for training­ "The truth of the matter baseball, I had Joe McCarthy eras. helm. They came close iri 1940 when they were second to will be comparable t o that· gained in any other part of the setting my sights on getting someplace in in 1926 I had But the 1950 Yankees led by Charles Dillon Stengel made Detroit, the only time in eight consecutive years the Yanks nation. quit the game forever," he says t oday. "Back with up for that in a good many other respects. didn't finish at the top of the American League. This spring, for instance, the Yankees will compete in ex­ typhoid fever, and a bad arm. I knew I was through of time to Never was there a Yankee team with more hustle, drive Although they haven't been out of the first division since hibitions against not only the Cleveland Indians, at Tucson, baseball. All told, I was laid up a year. I had a lot and fight. Never was there a Yankee bunch who were greater 1946, the Indians were fourth last season, and Gen. Mgr. but also the C hicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh think. The ten years I spent playing baseball was a great opportunists. They weren't always out front, and they had Hank Greenberg seemed impatiently awaiting the trading Pirates and St. Louis Browns, who train in California. Since education and a wonderful asset. I attribute a lot of my to fight their way back to the top in the torrid stretch drive, season with a view of strengthening the Cleveland club for Manager Stengel resides in Glendale, California, and former­ subsequent success in business t o lessons I learned on the but the current champions never relaxed. the 1951 pennant chase. ly managed the Oakland Oaks, and since Joe DiMaggio hails baseball diamond. But I went to Phoenix as a carpenter, idea of for­ They never removed the pressure from their opponents, The Indians produced the American League's leading from San Francisco, the Yankees are expected to be a b ig and started in t he contracting business with the and they never for one moment indicated they could be pitcher last season in Bob Lemon, who won 23 while losing drawing attraction for exhibitions in those West Coast areas. getting baseball, once and for all. beaten, no matter how slim their lead was at any point. 11 games. It was the first time a Cleveland pitcher achieved Actually Arizona's best chance of becoming a permanent "Until Dan T opping arid I bought the Yankees, I s aw These, then, are the Yankees who are coming to Arizona that fame since John Allen turned the trick in 1937 w ith a spring training s ite for the Yankees lies in the m an who only three games in eighteen years. One in Phoenix, one in in full force-Joe DiMaggio, Phil Rizzuto, Hank Bauer, Gene 15-1 record, and prior to that it was G eorge Uhle's 2 7-11 brings them h ere this month, Del Webb. And t hat brings Washington, D. C., and the first game of the 1939 World Woodling, Yogi Berra, Vic Raschi, Johnny Mize·, Ed Lopat, record in 1926 which led the league. up the s tory - and the Phoenix contractor often has been Series between the Yankees and Cincinnati as a guest of Jerry Coleman, Joe Page, Billy Johnson, Allie Reynolds, Lou Boudreau was the American League's leading bats- · asked the question-of how Webb became one of the owners Judge Kenesaw Landis." Cliff Mapes, Bobby Brown, Tommy Byrne, and all the others, man in 1944 with a .327 average for 150 games. H;is player­ of the famous Yankees. Then how did he happen to buy into the Yankees? including little Billy ( The Kid) Martin, who batted an manager contract with Cleveland still was in force when the Sports writers, since Webb _leaped into national sports "The chance came along and I went for it, strictly from amazing .392 while cavorting at third base for the Phoenix 1950 season ended, but he subsequently was replaced b y prominence in 1945 in joining T opping in the Yankee pur­ a business standpoint!" Senators before he went to Oakland to help the Oaks to a Al Lopez, and the Indians will arrive in Arizona with a new chase, have had a field d ay. They wrote about the purpose­ There's more to the story than that, of course, and here's Pacific Coast League pennant, then graduated to the Yankees pilot at the helm. ful young ballplayer of the early '20s who wound up as one where some of the coincidences enter t he picture. for duty with the championship club of last season. The training camp exchange between the Yankees and of the owners of the greatest b aseball organization in the While busy with World War II construction, Webb was That the Yankees are a super-duper attraction wherever Giants has caused reverberations as far away as Florida. world. They told how he realized the main goal in his life offered an opportunity by Northern California friends who they train, there is no doubt. They have won the American So popular are the Yankees that major Florida tourist to get knee-deep in baseball, not as a pitcher, as he had knew he once played baseball to buy the Oakland O aks for League flag 17 times, and 13 of the 17 times they went on to centers not only are bidding for them, but fighting among hoped, but prominently identified nonetheless with Yanks. $60,000. The contractor consulted his attorneys, and was win the World Series. Only once in 30 years have they themselves o ver where th~ New Yorkers will train. The But that's a b it at variance with the facts. advised the ball club might prove a good business invest­ finished out of the first division in league play. Yanks have a c ontract, with some years yet to run, calling Some thirty years ago, while working in the O akland ment. But construction matters kept Webb in Washington, Led b y two of the game's immortals- Babe Ruth and Lou for their appearance each spring in St. Petersburg, or in lieu shipyards, Webb was a pretty capable pitcher on the ship­ and he passed up the Oakland offer. Gehrig- the Yanks have smashed more records than any club of the Yankees a s uitable major league replacement, in this yard team. Former major leaguers playing with the club It was in Washington, though, that Webb happened upon in baseball history. More than 500 marks - major league, case the Giants. Already the baseball-minded gentry who took quite an interest in Webb and schooled him. "It was a Larry MacPhail, an assistant to the Secretary of War. Leo American League a nd World Series standards - b elong to built a big stadium in Miami for major league exhibitions great opportunity to learn baseball from the ground up," he Durocher had introduced them in 1938, and MacPhail them. For nearly 30 years they have been pacesetters in are making overtures to the Yankees. recalls. "I guess I had more good instruction than most broached to Webb the idea of buying the Yankees. He found batting, fielding and pitching. Arizonans, of course, will try just as hard to persuade young pitchers coming up." Webb receptive as a result of t he contractor's investigation The success of the Yankees has, in fact, been one of the them that they should train in the future permanently in In his "bush league" days Webb was a member of several of the Oakland offer. Webb, with others, then entered into great h andicaps facing Cleveland's Indians, the pride of the Southwest, preferably in Arizona, as soon as they can pennant-winning clubs, once pitched a no-hit game, struck more than a year of discussions on the Yankee purchase. Tucson and all Southern Arizona when spring training time gracefully bow out of St. Petersburg. out 18 m en in another game, and racked up six straight Nothing came of the dickering, w;ith negotiations finally rolls 'round. The Yanks have too often been the team to beat. Their argument will be that Arizona not only provides victories on another occasion to win a championship. As t o stymied because the team was owned by the Jacob Ruppert

PAGE SIX • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 estate, and heirs; their attorneys could not agree on terms. ing at times last season. Then they chuckle as they remind Another of the interested prospective purchasers was you that when the final out was registered, the Yankees still Topping, the New York sportsman whom ·webb had met on were the champions. the West Coast in the '30s. Theirs was a friendship that "Joe DiMaggio wasn't particularly effective as a hitter blossomed on the golf course. They never had seen a base­ until late in the season, but he had the punch when we ball game together. needed it," Owner Webb recalls. "Joe Page had one of his After Webb had virtually forgotten the proposed Yankee bad years. Tommy Henrich's bad knee limited him to a purchase, he received a telephone call from Topping in New pinch-hitter's role. York. Through his own friends who were involved in set­ "But we had incomparable Yogi Berra behind the bat, tling the Ruppert estate, said Topping, he believed he could the great infielding of Gerry Coleman and little Phil Rizzuto, make a deal for the Yankees. He urged Webb to fly East. the fine pitching of veterans like Raschi and Reynolds, Byrne Rather reluctantly the contractor withdrew from the and Lopat, and the rookie sensation, Whitey Ford. We had Phoenix Open golf tournament and sped by plane to New the consistent hitting of Coleman and Bauer, and the boom­ York. In ten days of negotiations, he became an owner of ing bats of DiMaggio, Berra and big Johnny Mize when the fabulous Yankees, and says today: home runs were needed. "MacPhail deserves a lot of credit for putting this deal "And then we had Casey Stengel. I think he always does Webb with Casey Stengel and young star, Bobby Brown. together, but Dan Topping was really the one who made it Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, where Yanks will be training. a great job of handling his men-and they all love him. They possible for me to get into big league baseball because he all wanted to play for him, and he had a good, fighting or­ persuaded Ed Barrow ( president and general manager of ganization from the start." the Yankees ), who held the 'whip hand,' to agree to our Webb admits to a quality in his baseball-playing days Webb recalled this statement from a visiting manager: "And I can tell you that once you've played baseball, you offer." which later was to mark his success in construction-a "x xx They put a Yankee uniform on a player who ap­ always afterward have the bug, which I still have. You may So Webb joined in the venture strictly as a business shrewd business sense. He quickly found he could make pears to be bread-and-butter class ... the next thing the op­ think you can get away from it-I thought I could-but you proposition, and bought a half interest in a baseball team he more money playing with outlaw clubs, and working at the position knows he's beating their brains out!" can't. You're always interested, for it is truly the great Amer­ had seen on the playing field only once. same time as a carpenter, than he could as member of a coast That kind of spirit is a great thing, says the Phoenician. ican sport." They say the Yankee Dynasty, with all its trappings, was league team. In fact, Webb was such a student of the busi­ Businessman Webb, with his home in Phoenix, his base­ "Anyone who has played baseball, from the sandlot purchased for $2,850,500. That included the sprawling Yan­ ness side of baseball that at the age of 16 he was playing­ ball interests in New York, and his contracting business player to high school, college, and into the big leagues, learns kee Stadium, and all the farm clubs. Webb and Topping be­ manager of a team. in the game what it means to be a regular guy, or a heel. came the sole owners when they bought MacPhail's interest But the financial rewards of that day were a far cry from spread over the nation from the Pacific-Northwest to the Atlantic Seaboard, is one of America's most traveled ex­ It teaches courage; it gives you guts. It develops the kind in 1947. Today the Yankee holdings would be worth several the handsome returns the Yankees, for instance, enjoy today. ecutives. They say he lives on an itinerary. of teamwork and organization on which many businesses times the original purchase price. As i~ the case of all major league players, they are covered and enterprises are founded in the U. S. But busy as he is from January tc:i January, he never has And this really is big business. by a pension plan comparable to that of any big business "Baseball is a living example of what our national sport failed to find time to make a Spring trip or a western trip "Ball clubs used to be started by some old ballplayer concern. And not only are the Yanks' salaries attractive for will do for us as Americans. It is a great example for every­ with the Yankees, and when his construction business per­ getting other players together and keeping his books in his the eight months they train and play ball, but for almost body in every walk of life, and I think it had its telling marks mits, he attends the big days in Yankee Stadium. hip pocket," says Webb. "It is far beyond that these days." thirty years there's been a season-end "bonus" in World in World War II, when our boys did such a grand job. I He recalls that the Yankees paid more last season to the Series money. As vice-president of the Yankees, he is considerably closer think baseball is playing its part today, in that our men over­ Oakland Oaks for two young players, Jackie Jensen and That's because the first four teams in both American and to the actual operations of the baseball empire than the seas get a great lift out of listening to baseball broadcasts, Billy Martin, than was asked for the Oakland club and its National Leagues share in division of the World Series distance from Phoenix to New York might indicate. and it gives them something to think of, and still another rea­ entire holdings less than a decade ago. money allotted to the players, and the Yanks have been "I keep in close touch, of course," he smiles proudly. "But son to want to win the peace and get back home where they "Why, when the Yankees won the fourth and final game among those first four for 29 of the last 30 years. They've Dan Topping, our president, is in complete charge. The can enjoy our way of life." of the 1950 World Series before nearly 70,000 spectators been in the Series seventeen times, second six times, third club is his to run. Dan, in turn, is ably assisted by our gen­ Treasurer Becker recalled that last spring LIFE magazine in Yankee Stadium, some 75,000,000 to 100,000,000 people five and fourth once. eral manager, George Weiss." ran an article titled, "I Hate The Yankees," in which the were listening to the game on the radio and an estimated Best example of what that kind of winning can mean to Although it may not be generally known, some of the team which had just won the American League champion­ 38,000,000 were watching it on television in cities through­ the individual is Frank Crosetti, a Yankee since 1932. The important financial decisions concerning the Yankee opera­ ship was berated as a kind of trust fund which won pennants out the East. Perhaps we could have sold a million seats in­ onetime great infielder finished his playing career in 1947, tions are made in Phoenix. That's because Webb's invest­ year after year by the simple expedient of buying up all the stead of 70,000 had we had them to offer." but stayed on as a coach. And since 1932 Crosetti has drawn ment has brought another Arizonan into the Yankee picture talent in sight regardless of cost. shares in Series money aggregating something like $67,000. -Robert A. Becker, director and treasurer. Mindful that the club owners receive little more than And Becker pointed to LIFE's fine editorial reply at the actual expenses for the first four games of any World Series Joe DiMaggio, a Yankee since 1936, besides his top­ Oddly enough, Becker was born a half mile from Yankee close of the 1950 season, when the editors said: ( most of these profits being divided among the players) , drawer salary, has shared in the Series cash to the tune of Stadium. But he moved as a youngster to the Arizona mining "x xx Let's face it. The Yankees won this year without Webb declares: "I told Dan I never was happier over losing about $55,000. town of Bisbee, was reared there, and came back to the big any abundance of talent, with nothing much except the kind several hundred thousand dollars than when the Yanks won The 1950 World Series sweep provided each Yankee New York ball park via Phoenix, where he is Webb's right of heart which makes champions, and nobody can help the fourth game in Yankee Stadium last October 7 and regular, including the manager and coaches, with a $5,737.95 hand man and secretary-treasurer of the construction firm. loving. xx x Three teams-Detroit, Boston and Cleveland­ produced another championship. That's just what three bonus. Becker ,began his business career with an Arizona bank, should have beaten them, but none of the three could do it. extra games would have meant to us and the owners of the But while winning ball games is important to the financial attained a high executive post, then joined Webb in the field x x x The Yankees really had no right to win this year except Phillies. side of the ledger, Del Webb has discovered that as a Yankee of construction and subsequently in baseball. His visits to from force of habit. We take everything back and con­ "I felt the same way about it when we won the Series in owner, baseball can't all be strictly business. Yankee Stadium are, for him, too few, but his interest in gratulate the Yankees on their habits." five games in 1949. Yet the extra two games would have "After my first press conference in New York-which, in­ the club is constant. Thus, it seems, there is something intangible, but none­ meant hundreds of thousands in gate receipts to the club. cidentally, seemed like bedlam with reporters firing ques­ Ask either of these men what makes the Yankees great. theless powerful in merely being a Yankee. "That's what I mean by big business. An important late­ tions and photographers shooting pictures~! found I had to They point out that the so-called baseball experts, the It makes the strong, and usually turns the weak, into season game, rained out and necessarily played later as part quit being so stiff and loosen up a little bit; be more of a sports writers, generally agreed before the start of the sea­ factors of strength. of a double-header, can cost the Yankees anywhere from sport. I could see it wasn't all hardboiled business in base­ son-as they had in 1949-that the Yanks couldn't finish better Now and then the formula fails. But such experiences $50,000 to $100,000 or more in gate receipts." ball, especially when I started meeting some of the fellows than third, perhaps even back in the second division. They serve all the more to stress the strength of the psychology of And professional baseball is profitable, too, for the players I hadn't seen for years and with whom I used to play ball. emphasized that injuries hit the team in '1949, and the in­ the New York Yankee uniform, the New York Yankee club­ who wear Yankee uniforms. In fact, I'm still meeting fellows I haven't seen for years. eptitude of some of the star players found the Yankees limp- house, and the New York Yankee spirit.

PAGE EIGHT • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 children of Southern Arizona. They were given physical and hands a backlog of cases accumulated during the war when occupational therapy, X-rays, cast care, medical social ser­ professional help was lacking. The help reappeared when vice and a variety of other types of assistance with some of the war ended but it could not function because of the lack the most modern equipment in the world under the hands of quarters and the department, working on a limited budget, of highly trained personnel and physicians. All in a city was reluctant to use funds to pay rents. Renting space would which two short years before had almost no facilities for any have met only one problem. Equipping the quarters with kind of treatment. the necessary orthopedic devices - walkers, braces, wheel That was when it started, in 1948, following a polio chairs, tubs for hydrotherapy baths and the numerous other epidemic. The epidemic left its inevitable wake of cripples items that make up a clinic-:--presented a far greater difficulty. and the only space available for treatment, a twelve by It was an emergency situation and public welfare officials fourteen foot room in a hospital, had to be vacated to permit make it their business to know where to turn in such cases. more bed-patient care. Miss Lillian Retzloff, administrator of the department's The Arizona Department of Public Welfare had on its Crippled Children's Division, laid the problem in the laps

The Squa;·e and Compass Crippled Children's Clinic in Tucson is an enterprising and neighborly community's answer to aid crippled children and restore them to health and vigor. Other American communities could well follow Tucson achievement.

"(",,

C• . .W R.. ·U~'' AD·. ,.,,,,

BY ROGER O'MARA

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KENNETH MCVEY OF PHOTOCENTER, TUCSON

A little more than a year ago, on one of the busiest cor­ put together they tell the story of a whole community be­ ners in downtown Tucson, a radio announcer set up a micro­ coming interested in an idea for a building. Today, as a re­ phone early in the morning and, for the next eighteen hours, sult, several hundred children are being helped to fuller I proceeded to bedevil the ears of his listeners with appeals lives-are being helped to use arms and legs which might Citizens of Tucson give unstintingly of time and effort to make clinic a success. Here (left to right) for money. At the beginning of his stint he announced his have remained warped and twisted and which might have Ted Walker, Frank Minarik, Robert Smith and Fred Goodell discuss newly-acquired X-ray equipment. goal at $100 per hour. When he quit at one o'clock the follow­ resulted in warped and twisted personalities. The story of ing morning he had collected $1,840-a good bit of it in the the building is an epic celebrating the heroic qualities of Group occupational therapy helps little patients in Parents register children upon arrival at bi-weekly late hours fro_m people who called in with pledges "so that individuals and whole groups of people but, more important, physical restoration and off ers needed socialization. clinics. Junior League volunteers act as hostesses. man can get off the air." All day long, while the marathon it is a kind of blueprint which can be used by any other broadcast progressed, people stopped to drop coins and dol­ city. Some cities might be aware that they have the problem lar bills into his collection box. Cars drew up and double­ of crippled children lacking proper treatment. Other cities parked while occupants hopped out to add their .contribu­ may find they have such problems if they look close enough. tions to the mounting total-Tucson again was showing that In either case they can learn what a community's zeal can it was firmly in back of a drive for the Square and Compass do to help its crippled children grow up to lead normal lives. Crippled Children's Clinic. Because of its Masonic connotations, the name of the The broadcast was a dramatic gesture but it was not clinic is somewhat misleading. That organization deserves uniquely so. The story of the clinic is replete with episodes the lion's share of credit for the Square and Compass Clinic that make your nerves tingle-incidents in which the same but it is a community enterprise which cuts across all lines mail brings in eight cents from a child and a hundred dollar to get help and is again cutting across them in helping chil­ check from a man noted for always complaining about high dren. One statistic, if visualized in terms of human beings, taxes. There were hundreds of episodes and incidents in the vividly tells the clinic's accomplishments: in 1950, after six clinic story. Some were important, others were minor, but months of operation, 2,368 treatments were given crippled

PAGE TEN • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 of two private citizens of Tucson, one being Ted vValker, only by their record of accomplishments. But their per­ who, as a j\fason, was completing four years in that group's suasion was effective and everywhere they were given work among crippled children. The other was Frank Mina­ promises of cooperation. rik, also a Mason. They met the emergency in two ways. On May 7, 1949, the program was unveiled to the general First, after searching vainly for a larger place, Mr. Walker public via news releases which covered not only the state turned over an uncompleted recreation room in back of his but a good part of the nation. Donations, large and small, home to be used as a temporary clinic. Secondly, the two, began coming in, indicating that people in all walks of life after consulting with other Masons, determined on getting were contributing. Individual Masons were tapped for life adequate facilities built. memberships which sold for $15 and $25 to raise $25,000. The amount of work done in the temporary clinic is a More than one hundred benefits were staged including a , story in itself. A hastily-recruited crew completed the build­ "world's largest square dance" given by the Odd Fellows. ing between Friday night and Monday morning when the Its billing was possibly exaggerated but it made money al­ first patients arrived. In succeeding months one of the clinic's though a Barnum and Bailey circus was in town the same storerooms began to fill with crutches and braces discarded night. Knights of Columbus, Jewish and Protestant organi­ by children who had regained use of their limbs. This, how­ zations and groups of almost every other description, de­ ever, is the story of how the community adopted the second nominational and non-religious, put on affairs for the Square part of the program. and Compass Clinic. The appeal for aid for crippled chil­ It was no accident that Mr. Walker and Mr. Minarik took dren was as potent as ever and more so because it was so to themselves the problem. Both have their own businesses well directed and carefully planned. Also, people knew the in Tucson but for years have taken many hours off each week promise, "Every dime goes to the clinic," was not idly made. to help ease the lives of crippled children-arranging parties One of the events had an international flavor. Madame Elena and automobile trips to provide diversion for the children, Nikolaidi, the well-known Greek contralto, visited Tucson driving them the 124 miles to Phoenix for treatment and shortly after it had become affiliated with the Greek city, getting others interested in doing something along the same Trikkala, in a friendship program. She donated her services lines. In Mr. Minarik's case, his interest understandably in a concert which raised $6,700 for the clinic. comes from the fact that he too is crippled. But the fact that Four months from the date the drive was publicly started, he finds it difficult to get around makes his participation ground was broken for the clinic. It was to be built on land more difficult and noteworthy. Mr. Walker's good works leased from the Tucson Shrine Company for twenty-five haven't the same personal basis. His avocation began when years at one dollar per year. Twenty-seven labor unions had his sympathy was stirred by a crippled child in his former promised to do whatever work fell to each craft and Mr. home city, St. Louis, in the depression year 1932, and has John S. Sundt, a Tucson building contractor, offered to erect continued to date. it at cost. The costs were further reduced by donation of Their first act in getting the clinic underway was to meet $16,000 worth of building materials. The clinic cut across with two other Masons, Fred 0 . Goodell and Robert S. labor and management lines as well as all other lines. It Smith. The four formed a corporation which had the most would be practically impossible to find a group of any size intangible of assets. Even the very incorporation papers had from whom something was not sought. And all approached to be donated, the assist being given by a law firm, Scruggs gave willingly once the need was known. Those who had and Butterfield. Then began a long round of interviews with nothing to contribute to the construction were lined up for persons and firms whose talents and resources were needed. later work-staffing the clinic, doing clerical work and ferry­ It is somewhat surprising that at that stage the endeavor was ing children to and from their homes for treatment. Union not scoffed out of existence. Certainly the temporary clinic's men started by working free on weekends but, when it be­ record of accomplishment had a great deal to do with in­ came evident that this was too slow, each contributed spiring confidence. In any case, rather than scoff, most had amounts of money equal to their share of the work. A something else to contribute in addition to what was asked. $12,000 check from the carpenters' union topped the list with One such contribution was a suggestion which bore fruit $4,757.52 being given by the laborers' union. Then the crafts­ far beyond expectations. It came from Dr. Lewis H. Howard, men were hired full time and in effect paid their own wages. County Health Officer, who while agreeing to become medi­ The clinic's scrap book contains, among dozens of stories cal advisor, mentioned possible labor union help. Governor about benefits being planned and progress being made, little Dan E. Garvey assured that the state would help by staffing items such as a 93-year-old woman's obituary with the re­ and managing the clinic which was not even on a drawing quest that flowers be omitted and the money sent to the board. The latter defect was 'remedied by a firm of archi­ clinic. Money collected by city employees for flowers for tects, Blanton and Cole, who worked at cost. And when the the late Mayor E. T . Houston, another of the clinic's friends, drawings were made, they were not for the modest building went to the same cause. There was little fanfare about such originally conceived. The desire to "do it right" had ex­ acts but the coffers continued to grow. panded plans and an $85,000 building was in the making. The building was completed in December, 1949, and Mr. Walker and Mr. Minarik set out to contact every or­ opened on January 5, 1950. In many respects the opening ganization in the community to sell the ambitious program marked the end of one phase of the work and the beginning to the public. of others. But it also meant that the non-profit corporation, Every organization meant more than one hundred con­ with a 25-member board of directors and a 15-member ad­ tacts alone and there were numerous other visits to in­ visory board, now had real assets and could begin its job of dividuals-newspaper' editors, radio stations, advertising salvaging lives by repairing bodies. Non-profit? A walk men, public officials and prominent citizens. As salesmen, through the busy halls any day will end such notions. Profits the pair's stock consisted entirely of an appeal buttressed are rolling in although they can not be reflected in ledgers.

PAGE TWELVE • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 Corrective exercises in stair climbing is groups prove to be fun . taught to young patients. weather permits a heliotherapy department which, in truth, children with twisted spines and limbs to perform ele­ is a patio where children can carry out corrective exercises mentary motions stir pity. But, on the cheerful side, rarely under the natural rays of the sun. is one found who cannot be helped to some degree and Some of the rooms contain intricate equipment, much of many, through the marvels of modern techniques, can be it costly, while others have functional ladders, special chairs, made whole and able to pursue productive lives instead of standup tables, handcraft materials, walkers and bars which being dependent on society and embittered by the knowl­ even a lay person can understand readily. All equipment edge that they are dependent. It is also a never ending job, plays its individual part, whether it is expensive or cheap. for, while medical advances may eliminate or cut down some The X-ray machine, purchased with $5,000 appropriated of the causes of crippling, . it cannot eradicate all of them. by the state legislature (it cost $1.21 less than that) has a No. The Square and Compass Crippled Children's Clinic, how­ 20 dynamax tube-one of the newest developments in that ever, is prepared to treat any, regardless of their cause. field and the first installed in the southwest. X-rays are im­ Patients range from birth to twenty-one years, with, of portant not only in diagnosis but in checking progress as course, those in the lower age groups predominating. treatment continues. The fact that Tucson is expanding rapidly adds to the In the hydrotherapy room a visitor might see a child clinic's patient roster and even now, only one year since it immersed in a whirlpool bath which massages and stimu­ opened, its directors are preparing to expand. They are lates. Heat relieves pain and makes it easier for the child calmly confident that they will find the money for the larger to carry out exercises. This is but a sampling of the work that goes on at this quarters. No one realizing what they have accomplished Gne clinic. It scarcely hints at the number of hours given would decry their confidence. An $85,000 building com­ to patients by the many doctors and other professional peo­ pletely paid for and aiding daily in making the world a bet­ ple on the staff-people whose talents are as vital as the ter place for hundreds is an ample basis for confidence. Their equipment and witlt0ut whom the equipment might be all statement: "We know that when the money is needed it will but useless. be forthcoming," is not likely to raise any questions among It is a sobering experience to watch the. clinic in opera­ Tucsonans. They are much more likely to start digging into tion but it is also elevating. The pathetic attempts made by their jeans. The people of Tucson believe in this great cause.

Mirror winclows play tricks on children who perform better_when their parents are not around. Parents need to see exercises demonstrated in order to enable them to carry out treatments at home. Observing them, through mirror windows is an ex­ cellent method of teaching parents treatment without the children being aware of the presence of their parents or relatives.

Mid-morning nomishment is serveci during clinic periods to prevent fatigue. On birthdays nourishment often consists of birthday cake ancl milk. In addition to attractive refreshments, the birthday child receives a pretty gift. Every attempt is made to revive pleasant experiences which child may have missed during long periods of critical illness and convalescence.

A visitor to the clinic enters through a lobby which oc­ ness and Professional vVomen's Club the hydrotherapy de­ cupies the entire front of the building. Comfortable stuffed partment ( more modernly termed subaqua therapy) and chairs and a gaily colored mural envisioning every child's the Daughters of Penelope the cast department. Girl Scouts dream of what a circus should be gives the room an air keep the orthopedic toys in good repair, the medical aux­ which dispels anxieties the youthful patient might feel. Even iliary does whatever sewing and mending is needed and the most timid would lose fear in an atmosphere showing the Junior Heel Cross supplies clinic gowns. Red Cross Gray they were in the hands of people who know so well what a Ladies help in the physical therapy departments while child likes. The mural and several other paintings, with an Eagles and Elks provide the many braces found in all the estimated $15,000 value, were done by Tucson Independent rooms. Even the landscaping was donated by the Tucson Artists. At the visitor's left is the clinic office, staffed in part Association of Nurserymen which also keeps up the grounds. by volunteers from the Junior League. The Arizona Depart­ Many organizations and individuals are not mentioned in ment of Public Welfare, Crippled Children's Division, al­ this summary but do equally needed jobs or did them during locates tax-raised funds to carry out the clinic's medical pro­ construction. gram but the volunteer help insures use of the money for Picking up the visitor again, he next passes down a long other necessary work which would have to be curtailed if hall flanked by doors which lead into the separate rooms for more salaries had to be paid. examination, rehabilitation, X-ray, hydrotherapy, and physi­ The extent to which the clinic is a community enterprise cal therapy. Others are cast rooms where casts are applied can be seen in a glance over the organizations which contri­ to institute correction of deformities. As correction is at­ bute services daily. The station wagon which brings the tained casts are removed and reapplied in a continuous cor­ children to the clinic is maintained by the Eastern Star while rective process. It ends only when full use is restored ,to the Re~ Cross provides a corps of drivers. The Altrusa Club what were club feet, twisted hips or any other ailment which is responsible for an elaborate children's library. Lunches shrivels up or prevents full use of any limbs. There are are supplied by the Tucson Pilot Club. The Order of Rain­ laboratories where blood counts and sedimentation tests bow for Girls sponsors the physical therapy department, are conducted and where other diagnostic work is done to Job's Daughters the rehabilitation department, Challa Busi- aid in effecting cures. Tucson's almost unlimited clear

PAGE FOURTEEN • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 Baby Brush in radiant bloom (Cowania Stansburyana) is a gay bouquet before the red sandstone butttes of Monument Valley.

BY JOYCE ROCKWOOD MUENCH

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSEF MUENCH

PRING is the time to fall in love-with It's a com1)limentary title, bestowed on vast areas of Arie the Desert! Her moods then are all in zona, boasted about more than her purple mountains. The the lighter vein and every color that very syllables are redolent of dear, spicy air and pungent paints the vivid cliffs and calico ranges nights, draped with brilliant starry skies and unforgettable are echoed in flowers, trooping in un­ with sunset silhouettes of the distinctive Saguaro against a numbered thousands. Mammoth blos­ Haming banner of the evening. soms tower on the Yuccas and minute Yes, if you've not already fallen under the spell of her ones lace the ground, conquering by less obvious charms, Spring is the time to fall in love with sheer numbers! The sun is only pleasantly warm with a soft the Desert! caress in every breeze. Nothing can stop the triumphal Of course, not to everyone is it love at first sight. People march of bloom that comes swelling over the hills and flood­ accustomed to the neatly squared-off farm and city plots, £114 ing into canyons, dotting the view with yellow of Creosote the colors here too raw and the virile expanses overwhelm­ Bush, washing the Palo Verdes with gold! Every branch ingly big. Time is needed for the magic to begin to work. and twig puts out some flower to welcome Spring. The Eyes must learn to move from one craggy ridge to another Desert Goddess dances with light, gay wreaths in her hair! without getting lost in between. Pastel shades, always there How few years ago it was that mention of the Desert but overshadowed by bolder neighbors, must seep gradually made people thirsty and wonder if they weren't coming into the consciousness and grotesque branching flora become down with heat stroke! Mirage and poisonous reptiles, a significant part of the scene. Like full-bodied, mellow bleached bones under a blazing sky-were part of the ac­ cepted picture! But today, like a genii out of a bottle, the "BEAR GnAss" BY JosEF MUENCH. Photographer Josef Muench has narne conjures up visions of sunny winter playgrounds, glam­ traveled the desert regions of the West time and again to secure photo0 orous dude ranches, recreation in the sun. Now each new graphs of unusual flowering desert plants. It is not often that the seeds of a plant are more interesting than the blooms, but we find this true in map has another crop of fascinating-sounding towns to £11 the case of Nolina Bigelovii, or Bear Grass. Rising from a rosette of out the blanks, woven into a tapestry by highways. narrow pointed leaves, seed stalks are gold banners against the sky.

PAGE SIXTEEN • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 The desert m springtime 1s full of such scenes as these m Arizona. In the higher elevations of the state, spring's magic can also be seen. Many strange and beautiful plants make up an Arizona spring bouquet. Sky, mountain and desert join to form a perfect picture of the gay season. Despite arid conditions, desert plants produce an array of gayest blooms. ·w hen rain comes to the desert such barren s cenes as this near the Kofa Mountains can be changed into a ·fl,owered carpet.

wine, the shape and feel of the Desert comes finally to spoil such tiny flowerlets that you must a ssume a r everential one's taste for more "favored r egions." posture- on your knees- to detect the perfect individual blos­ There are those who have likened the Desert to one of soms. Fairy tints a breath of wind might blow away are Nature's u nderprivileged children, struggling along without tinged with green and begin to flow in ribbons, widen into the advantages of well-watered l ands. It isn't t he first poor waves and wash up the gaunt s lopes, penetrating every ar­ orphan who has made good! The grandeur of uncompromis­ royo where the least bit of soil lodges. Eyen rocky ledges ingly stark, chiseled mountains, rising above "waste" lands, take on a growing look and flowers seem to sprout from the fills a d eep-seated need in humans. Vibrantly clean atmos­ very stone! phere a nd restful empty spaces, girded by elemental and From this hint of Spring, an army of larger plants bursts very real bed-rock, exude a medicine to heal the soul! through, hurrying to make use of the precious water. Too But in Spring, she steals your heart away! The swift sea­ soon the bullying sun will take it back, Indian-giver fashion. son, marked by sporadic, sometimes violent storms, brings Before your pampered garden children get around to shaping rain in gullywashers. Clay hills puff up and dissolve into more than a few tender leaves, the desert urchins are already new shapes. Canyons breed miniature torrents only to dry adults, swapping their goods with the bees. up as soon as the spigot is turned off. If you get caught in Every day, as the season blossoms, new battalions spring the center of such a disturbance, y ou might even wonder if to attention somewhere. Regiments of Yucca, Sand Dock, the end of the world hasn't come! Hang Leaf and Blazing Star may be stationed this year on Then, just as suddenly, everything is calm and smiling. the northern plateaus. On their flanks, bright encampmei'its The porous earth sponges up the moisture and there's not a of yellow-centered Prickly Poppies range over great areas cloud in the blue. Skyline mountains a hundred miles away of red sand. The floors of valleys are aflame with golden leap into the a stonished vision. sheaves of poppies and Sego and Mariposa Lilies soften the If enough rain has fallen to w arrant it, Nature now glittering brilliance of rock-strewn desert fortresses, while on spreads an extravagant carpet in preparation for the a nnual rolling hills, Lupines take on the look of fallen chunks of sky. festival of flowers. Measured by miles, there is a mosaic of This is t he time to hurry on spring visits, trying to guess where the Desert Lily hides or the quaint Desert Candle is alight, each with its brief moment in the passing parade. If "INDIAN PAINT BnusH" BY JosEF MUENCH. The vivid flower of this the Cliff Rose, loveliest of all the state's flowering shrubs, has plant makes a splash against a section of petrified wood in Petrified been mustered out of Monument Valley, you may surprise Forest National M onument. Where abundant these plants have forage its glory on the South R im of the Grand Canyon. value for livestock. It is also reported that the Hopi Indians use certain plants of the Paintbrush family for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. Along the routes where pony express and stagecoach

PAGE TWE NTY-FIVE • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 19.Sl Cliff Roses in summer enhance the beauty of Grand Canyon adding a sprightly note to the massive scene. Out of the volcanic ash surrounding Sunset Crater in Northern Arizona an early summer scene brings out gay sun-ffowers.

once spurre

PAGE TWENTY-SIX • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 A L L A M E R I C A N C A ·N A L CALlf:ORNIA THE: DAM / THAT FRIE:NDSHIP BUil T

BY SAM A. SICILIANO

PHOTOGRAPHS BY EMIL EGER, JR.

In this day of international strife, diplomatic duplicity, cold wars and armed conflict a story has unfolded in Ari­ zona which had to do with that forerunner of war-inter­ national boundaries. But rather than a decision in gunpowder the conferences were decided in concrete and structural steel and the one beachhead established was a peaceful one, resisted only by natural law and conquered through the combined efforts of those living on both sides of the border in question. Completed in early June southwest of Yuma, Arizona, some five and one half miles as the crow flies, eight miles as a fish swims if he eludes Colorado River anglers, or six­ teen miles by good road, is Morelos Dam, one end anchored on Arizona soil, the other set in Mexico. And receiving the 1,500,000 acre feet of water Morelos Dam will divert annually are 800,000 acres of land in Mexi­ co's Mexicali Valley. As one comes to the end of the sixteen-mile stretch of road, passes the U. S. Customs station and drives through the picturesque border town of Algodones, Mexico, he doesn't get the impression of agricultural activity which would require a millon and a half acre feet of water each year. But fanning out from this small community of a few hundred inhabitants, which once knew the gaiety of well­ attended gaming saloons and now basks in the reflected glory of its principal cafe which serves quail under glass that is a gourmet's delight, are close to one million acres of rich land which is an important part of the dream of a bright economic future for Mexico, Northern Sonora and Lower California. Gone are the days when the border, while only an imaginary line, served as a barrier to friendliness and the focal point of bitterness. During the last quarter century both nations have come to know that their economies are dependent upon each other. Senor Mercante and Mr. Busi­ nessman now exchange visits and ideas. Mexican farmer and American rancher now meet for the common benefit and make plans for the common good. One of these plans-Morelos Dam. Morelos is not the largest dam ever built. Its 1432 foot length and 45 foot width would hardly qualify it for that distinction. And its seven million dollar cost is small in com-

PAGE TWENTY-NINE • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 Boundary commission, set up by the two governments. Boulder (Hoover) Dam was a fight already won and This, added to the natural complexities of border cross­ the river was held in great quantities. D·avis Dam would ing for delivery of supplies, arranging for housing for work­ be a continuation of the holding action. Morelos would men and the million and one unforseen difficulties, could absorb part of the wealth of Davis and send it along the have made for insurmountable obstacles and international Canal del Alamo when the Mexicali Valley farmers wanted incidents. · it, not when the Colorado decided to send it their way. That nothing of the sort occurred to mar the peaceful The first coffer dam was built, great steel plates set out resolution of differences is proven in the following­ into the water. Then the water was drained from behind August 31, 1948-Work started the coffer dam and the filling begun upon which the first March 7, 1949-25% Alloted Time 37% Completed gates were built. When these were completed the coffer dam October 30, 1949-59% Alloted Time 69% Completed on the Mexican side was taken out and the river flowed August 15, 1950-Contract Completion Date through the completed gates while the coffer dam was built June 1, 1950-Actual Completion Date. on the American side. This was then filled in, and the Of course tlw above figures tell only the end, not the American side of the dam was built out to meet its Mexican means. What of the dig-scrape, haul, move, divert, build, counterpart and another battle of the ~olorado was won. tear-down, build, finish? And what of the hope? The sight that greeted James D. McClary, project mana­ That lies in the 800,000 acres of land which will change ger, and Charles S. Bradley, assistant manager, from that from its drab brown to green in the growing of the crops rock point below Algodones was the Colorado River, cours­ that will feed and sell for the wherewithal to clothe, shelter ing its way slowly southwestward. The Colorado, a great and provide a better future for the Mexican farmer and his and good friend to the economy and life of many but with children. The 800,000 acres which will send what it bears Algodones, Mexico, a sleepy little neighbor of Yuma, Arizona, sees a new economic life ahead with completion of Morelos a queer quirk in its smooth-flowing nature, could ~urn into across the border to make the economy of Mexico's northern Dam. This interesting border town hopes to become a fishing and recreation center as Morelos Dam becomes better known. a seething, boiling mass of destruction or a caked sea of neighbors a richer one. The 800,000 acres that will be a mud through flood or drought. symbol of two people working as one for the common good, parison to the astronomical amounts expended in the con­ the former receiving seventy percent of its flow from Mexi­ Man had been fighting and winning the battle of the a signpost on the road of American-Mexican cooperation struction of other dams. can tributaries and the Colorado_ receiving practically its Colorado for years. But it was a never-ending war for man which could well be brought to the attention of other sisters But Morelos has two major claims to fame-in its build­ total flow from U. S. tributaries, it was decided that a little must be constantly on the move, reclaiming more of his in the family of nations. ing it required one of history's largest well-point unwater­ peaceful give and take was in order. Therefore, the commis­ earth's wasteland. And with each step forward in the south­ It may well be that on the many still, moonlit nights that ing systems; and it is a symbol of cooperation between na­ sion recommended that Mexico continue to furnish the flow west man had to force the Colorado into doing his bidding. are common to both sides of the border in the southwest the tions in a time when settling differences over a friendly con­ for the Rio Grande to be used in irrigating American land Man's weapons in this constant fight are dams to hold spirit of the great Mexican patriot Jose Maria Morelos y ference table doesn't appear to be the accepted way. while the United States would deliver 1,500,000 acre feet of the river in check and canals to drain off what water he Pavon looks down upon the junction of Morelos Dam and As for well-points, they are small pipes driven into the Colorado River water annually for irrigation of Mexican needs. It requires vision, hard work, the will to accomplish. Canal del Alamo and is happy that he has loaned his name. ground at intervals over an area through which seepage lands in Baja (Lower) California and Sonora. water is pumped out to dry the soil. In Morelos project, These commission findings, along with specifications for La Presa l..Iorelos (Morelos Dam) gets its name from a great Mexican patriot whose memorable words are inscribed on the covering more than fifteen acres, the Morrison-Knudson control works, were embodied in the Water Treaty of Feb­ plaque below: "The soil is the motherland. We must cultivate it in order to be free." Also on the plaque is inscribed a state­ Company used 3,800 well-points, 10,000 feet of pipe and 45 rnary 4, 1944, later ratified by the Senates of both countries. ment by President Aleman of Mexico spoken at the dam's dedication: "Irrigation will make fruitful the labor of our farmers." pumps to keep the excavations, some of them 45 feet below One of the controls was Davis Dam, which will regulate the river's surface, free of water. The well-point system was the discharges for irrigation from Boulder (Hoover) Dam. installed on three successive earth benches around the ex­ Another of the treaty controls was for a diversion dam, to be cavation area rim, each bench 12 feet below the preceding paid for and maintained by the Mexican government, to be one. completed within five years of the effective date of the treaty, The 3,800 well-points gathered the excess water as the November 8, 1945. 45 pumps, driven by gasoline or electricity, sucked up the This was Morelos Dam. water and discharged it back into the river through eight To the average man, the extent of whose damming ex­ and ten inch outflow pipes. perience is inserting a stopper in the bath-tub drain, build­ In comparison to the 3,800 well-points in the Morelos ing a dam is glamorous adventure a chosen few are allowed undertaking are the 2,800 well-points used by the Morrison­ to enjoy by virtue of years of academic study and practical Knudson Company in the building of the desilting Imperial experience. Dam on the Colorado River north of Yuma. To the average engineer, building a dam is sweaty; nerve­ As for the symbol of cooperation that is the second wrecking hard work a chosen few are called upon to per­ feature of Morelos Dam one has to make a mental journey form by virtue of years of academic study and practical ex­ to the year 1934 when the Mexican government put into perience. operation an extensive progra·m for the development of land It's all in the point of view. irrigation in the Mexicali Valley. Within ten years a rapid And the view that met the engineers of Morrison-Knud­ development of those lands took place and, there being no son de Sonora as they stood on a point of rock overhanging canal system for utilizing the water from the existing Alamo the Colorado River, some fifteen minutes walk from Algo­ Canal, the Valley farmers irrigated their lands by pumping dones, was two years of dig, scrape, haul, move, divert, build, from the rivers and sloughs. tear-down, build, finish and hope. But in 1942 the makeshift systems became inadequate Those American engineers were to number twelve. By and the International Boundary and ,vater Commission, the terms of the contract the men who were to work with composed of one section from the United States and one them, anywhere from 200 to 750 ( depending upon the status from Mexico, was asked to study the problem and make of the job) in labor, clerical and managerial positions, had recommendations. As the Rio Grande and the Colorado are to be Mexican citizens. Decisions as to changes in plan and the two principal streams common to both countries, with policy had to be determined by the joint American-Mexican

PAGE THIRTY • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 smoother. The home stock's fed early an' turned into the starve-out to make room in the corral for the guests' bosses. After all this is done an' coffee's a-bilin' in a pot big as a dippin' vat, the older folks start waggin' tongues 'bout the range gossip. Most of the talk's 'bout the last dance, the weather, the calf crop, the price o' beef, the grass an' such things as touch their daily lives. Waitin' for the rest of the guests to arrive, they laugh an' joke 'bout this an' that till they all run outta smart answers. The younger punchers soon start a poker game in the bunk house, an' somebody's always thoughtful 'nough to bring a jug. There's some whose bankroll could be swallowed by a chickadee without much strain an' they jes' sweat the game. Tirin' of this they bowleg it over to the corral where a few are talkin' hoss an' checkin' up on the brands to see who's arrived. Guests keep pourin' in till y'u wonder if there's goin' to be 'nough grub to go 'round. They come on hossback, in wagons, buckboards an' buggies. The nester gals are spruced up in their Sunday best with calico an' gingham dresses that nearly drag the ground. Gals in them days didn't show much of their fetlocks. Some of 'em have faces red with the excite­ ment an' travel, but they wouldn't think of powderin' their noses in public. Some few fillies from town come out, dressed in more style, with silks an' satins that swish like high wind in tall grass. The sight of these gals shore booger up the range heifers with a load of envy. The boys dress accordin' to their own taste an' wardrobe, but none of 'em would take any blue ribbons at a bull show. There's a few nester boys, too, tryin' to imitate the cowboy, BY RAMON F. ADAMS but they don't have no luck at it. Their hand-me-down, sod­ buster boots give 'em away an' y'u kin tell by their walk that DRAWINGS BY ROSS SANTEE they've followed a mule's tail down a furrow more'n they've forked a hoss. Now an' then some puncher shows up public Y'u seldom see a cowhand that ain't crazy 'bout dancin'. Now all spraddled out in his full war-paint, with boots as a zebra, wearin' a b'iled shirt an' smellin' of bear grease When a love-hungry puncher rides to town for a high-heeled fresh greased an' spurs let out to the town hole so they'll sing an' lavender flavored soap, lookin' as miserable as a razor­ time h e usually winds up in a honky-tonk to storm the pretty, he hits the trail for a ride of maybe twenty miles. back hog stroppin' hisself on a fence post. Y'u kin always tell puncheons with the calico queens. The more settled feller rides his Sunday hoss, but some the married men. Their womenfolks make 'em put on a But the really big social event in any puncher's life is more reckless one saddles a half-broke bronc in his string choke rope ( neckie), button their vests, pull their britches the dance that's held somewhere on the range after the fall which he figgers needs some more miles put on 'im. He has leg outta their boots an' stick their shirttail in. roundup. Nobody gets a special invitation. Some cowhand an interestin' time ironin' the humps outta this bronc's back, Durin' the first table there's a lotta laughin' and joshin' jes' happens by an' drops the word. If y'u hear of it y'u con­ sometimes wonderin' if he hadn't wasted a lotta time an' shouted above the rattle of dishes. Those waitin' for second sider yo'self invited an' need no special urgin'. comfort in the barber work he'd jes' finished 'cause this devil table are talkin' outside in quieter tones, hopin' it don't take The range dance is a heap different from the honky-tonks. he's a-ridin' coulda bucked them whiskers off. the first ones long to fill out their equators. Maybe above Here he meets the gentle heifers an' not the drags of the she­ The rancher who's puttin' on this hoe-dig's been busier'n all this noise some nester gal's heard gigglin' like a lost filly herd. This calls for his best wagon manners, an' gettin' ready a one-armed man saddlin' a green bronc. Him an' his boys've colt at some joke a cowboy's told. for it makes for a lotta fixin'. Gopherin' through his war­ been broilin' beef over a barbeque pit; his women folks've Fin'lly y'u hear the sound of scrapin' chairs an' know bag for the low-necked clothes he saves for special occasions, been bakin' pies an' cakes for days, an' fryin' bear-sign it's time for the second'herd to be hazed to the feed trough. he digs out a favorite fancy shirt that's wrinkled as a burnt (doughnuts) by the tubsfull. With a lotta hungry mouths to Supper over, the boys stroll outside with a bag of Bull boot an' hangs it out on a limb to let the wind smooth the feed, if there's not a wagon load of grub it won't last as long Durham in one hand while they gopher through their vests wrinkles. as two-bits in a poker game. The city woman might feed her for papers with the other. Outside they roll a pill an' take a Some puncher who's handy with the shears is asked to guests salad sandwiches that a cowhand could eat till he few puffs while the table's bein' cleared. trim another's mane so he'll look like a white man instead of starved plumb to death, but a ranch woman knows she's not The old range fiddler's got a wide rep'tation, both good an Injun. There's a lotta painful face scrapin' before a busted feedin' hummin' birds. All them cakes an' pies she's made an' bad. In ordinary times he's knowed as a lazy, worthless mirror that suddenly gets to be plumb pop'lar, but with a for fluff-duffs is jes' to remind the boys they ain't eatin' at the cuss, spendin' most of his time calfin' 'round a saloon, an' stiff beard an' a dull razor it takes more'n a looking glass to wagon. when it comes to drinkin' he don't belong to the garden keep from dewlappin' yo'self till y'u look like the U. S. flag. The first guests arrive early to help with the final fixin's . variety. But durin' a dance he's the man of_the hour. The Throwed in the rennin' influence of a good woman, a Some set the long table for the big feed, while others move dancers consider it an honor to be noticed by him. Even the puncher'll do things he couldn't be hogtied to do any other the furniture outta the front rooms for the ·dance. If the gals, ordinarily shy, flirt with 'im to get 'im to play some tune time. He'll wash, iron an' even do a little mendin' to dude up weather's pretty this is piled out in a front yard that includes they like best. for some nester gal he know's be there. All this slickin' up's plenty of territory. Boxes are put along the walls with boards If he's late there's a heap of worry, but if he's on hand tough on the soap supply an' stock water, but when he's laid across 'em to make benches for the ladies. The floor's . an' sober, by the time supper's over he's on his box unwrap­ through soakin' his hide he's clean as a baby's leg. scrubbed clean an' some corn meal sprinkled on to make it pin' his fiddle. Bein' mighty fond of that instrument he

PAGE THIRTY-TWO • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 handles it with a heap of care. He packs a rattlesnake's rat­ fiddle talk a language that puts ginger in yore feet. Music from under the boards that's been there since the shack was don't get their tails over the dashboard they're not forefooted. tles inside to keep away dampness, but it's belly's white with like that rouses a crowd to action an' even the ones not built. If they're short on good manners an' ain't house broke there's the snow of resin dust that's never wiped off. dancin' help beat time as the caller shouts: Somethin' about a cowboy dance jes' gets y'u. That always somebody willin' to teach 'em, and let 'em cool off in Usually he don't know one note of music, but can play "Ducks in the river, goin' to the ford, fiddle music even stirs the blood of the old bone-seasoned the harness shed. all night without playin' the same': tune twice if it's in the Coffee in a little rag, sugar in a gourd." alkalies, an' though they don't travel like a colt no more, Some thoughtful puncher revives the fiddler an' caller key of G. He spends a heap of time gettin' ready, twistin', Most of the boys are kinda timid at first. They've run in they're soon limbered up an' shakin' as nimble a hoof as the with a bottle. After smackin' their lips an' wipin' the sweat listenin', thumpin' an' sawin'. He's the center of attraction a straight steer herd so long they're shy as a green bronc to a youngest. There's always some religious feller, too, who can't off their faces the dance is on again with the caller yellin' an' likes it. It looks like he's makin' slow headway, but fin'lly new water trough. But the whinin' of the fiddle, the scrapin' stand such temptation an' he don't need no second invite to louder'n ever: he gets things fixed an' draws the bow across the strings a an' stompin' of high-heeled boots, an' the shouts of the caller dance hisself right outta the church. "Come on boys an' show some ditty, few times to get warmed up. soon makes anybody forget he's skittish. And to this noise At ever' dance there's always a few who ride in from Shake yore feet an' ketch yore kitty." At most range dances there's a lot more men than ladies. there's always some high-pitched cowboy yell that quickens a distance an' they're usually late. Hearin' the caller's voice Sometimes a puncher who's rode fifty or sixty miles has In order to complete a set some of the boys volunteer to be the blood an' makes the fiddler bear down with more vigor. half a mile down the trail, they come hell-bent an' yellin' to leave early. He announces his farewell dance, dances it . "heifer branded" by havin' a white handkerchief tied 'round No woman who wants to dance is ever a wall-flower. plumb up to the door. Not stoppin' to put up their hosses till an' goes out to put leather on his hoss. When he rides away their arms. This means they're to take the part of a female Even if she's ugly as a tar bucket she's always in the thick they've danced a set, they stampede into the house. These he raises his voice in a cowboy yell that makes yore hair an' dance lady fashion. Their reward's bein' allowed to set of things. Sometimes there's one or two who refuse to dance drags bust into the next room huntin' a place to hang their kinda raise on end, a mighty fittin' farewell of a rider startin' with the ladies between dances, at which time they feel in spite of the shortage of females. They're what the range hats, but findin' the beds piled full of weaners, they throw on a long, lonely ride. 'bout as outta place as a cow on a front porch. Sometimes calls "puncture ladies." Their church goin' feets too religious their war-bonnets over into the corner an' break to where the A cowboy dance usually lasts all night. When it breaks some playful puncher ignores this white emblem of woman­ to let 'em dance, but they can shore set on the sidelines an' grass is greener. Wearin' his ridin' gear, chaps, spur an' all, up at daylight the ladies retire to freshen up their spit curls, hood an' gets plenty rough, but those self-appointed females puncture other folk's rep'tation. Their breed's always in the he's often mighty glad of this chance to show some filly the chalk their noses, an' sort out the weaners that's beginnin' to can take it an' pay back with interest if "her" partner gets lead when tongues are give out, an' y'u couldn't check 'em fancy trappin's he's proud of. stir off the bedground. The old bowlegs on the dance floor too frolicsome. with a three-quarter rope an' a snubbin' post. Society in the cow country's mighty democatic. Ever' pass the last bottle 'round, savin' a big drink for the fiddler By the time the fiddler's warmed up the caller takes his When the men get tired they can sneak out to the bunk man's a man if he's a square shooter an' no questions are to get 'im to play a last tune. Then they throw a stag dance place. He's an individual who feels as important as a pup house an' snatch a little rest, but this luxury's denied the asked. Maybe over yonder the town gambler's dancin' with that ends up kinda rough like a wrastlin' match. Like a hoss with a new collar. When he steps into the room talk kinda women. However, they don't put so much labor into their the pretty wisdom-bringer ( school teacher); next to them is with plenty of bottom, these old saddle slickers jes' won't stops an' ever'body backs ag'in the wall to make room for the dancin' because the men swing 'em with such vigor they a feller who's 'folks on his mother's side wore moccasins tire down. But fin'lly, havin' no more wet goods to bribe the dancin'. With leather lungs an' a loud mouth he can beller need little effort on their part. Still this ain't always the case. swingin' the host's wife. Further down the line's a ranch fiddler with, they call it a success an' limp to the kitchen for like a bull in a canebrake. But he's got a sense of rhythm an' Maybe across the room y'u see some bowlegged tryin' to foreman shakin' a hoof with the Mexican cook of a neigh­ a farewell cup o' coffee, their feet feelin' like they'd wintered 'nough personality to get the crowd into the spirit of the swing a woman who's got so much tallow she's big 'nough borin' spread, while not far away a feller who's suspicioned on a hard pasture. dance. to hunt bears with a switch. She's doin' all the hard work. of lettin' his calves suck the wrong cows is with the belle of Outside there's a lotta shoutin' an' merry makin' as the As a rule he's a dude for dress, goin' in for fancy doodads He jes' moves 'round like he's got hobbles on, hangin' on the range in his arms. Scattered among the crowd there's men hook up their teams an' saddle their broncs. Here an' like silver conchas, beaded vests, snake skins an' bright shirts. like an Injun to a whiskey jug. always some punchers cussin' the blisters on their heels an' there some rancher's got his hands full tryin' to hook up a He calls from memory an' if he forgets the words he's good at Some punchers dance like a bear 'round a beehive that's the new boots that caused 'em, but they're not missin' a skittish team that's not used to all this noise; or some rider's puttin' in some patter of his own. He's more forward than the afraid of gettin' stun-g. Others don't seem to know how to dance, even if their feet's on £re. havin' trouble tryin' to set a bronc that's been rim-fired by average an' has to be a leader to do a good job. Now, with handle calico an' get as rough as they do handlin' cattle in ';fhe coffee pot's always on the stove in the kitchen an' some rough joker. Most ever'body stops to watch till things his head reared back like a coffee-pot lid, he yells, a brandin' pen. I'll bet the women would jes' as soon dance a guest's expected to help himself when he feels the need of get straightened out ag'in. The first ones done with the job "Choose yore podners, form a ring, with a grizzly, but most peelers go more or less loco when a a stimulant, but mostly it's the women who hit the coffee. shout a hearty goodbye an' hit the trail. Figger eight an' double L swing." female's 'round. Between dances some peeler winks an' motions with his head. Each man tries to pass ever'thing on the road to show The fiddler forgets his laziness an' becomes a mighty Dancin' in them days wasn't jes' wigglin' 'round an' Pretty soon others begin driftin' out like a bunch of saddle off his rig, an' ever'one leaves the gates open, expectin' the animated human. He beats time with his head, feet an'· ever' shakin' yore rump. It was a rompin', stompin' affair. The hosses follerin' a bell mare. Outside they take a look at the last to shut 'em. But the men who own the fences keep fence part of his body at the same time. He's now doin' the work feet of the dancers pound the floor so hard that, no matter moon through the neck of a bottle. Some ain't able to cham­ riders on the job to close 'em, glad that this particular shindig he loves, an' with the soul of an artist he's shore makin' that how clean the floor's been scrubbed, they bring out the dust ber their likker without gettin' rollicky, but as long as they had passed into range history.

PAGE THIRTY-FOUR • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 Lofty San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff are guide for air vagabonds exploring the Northern Arizona's wonderland. Traders in Indian land receive more and 11w re plane visitors. Nogales International Airport is g ateway to Old Mexico.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

becoming very popular for personal fliers from Colorado, other places of scenic and archeological interest. Boulder City has a good airport. Transportation can be hop. First, there are the wartime auxiliary fields, which in New Mexico, and Utah as well as Arizona. There are many landing strips o n the reservation, but arranged to the lake-only a short distance away. There are Arizona are like the private strips. There is one under you The spires of Monument Valley are description defying. with the exception of flights into places like Monument Val­ also landing places along the south shore of the lake at or near you, even in the most remote places. Luke Air Force From an aerial viewpoint they assume even greater propor­ ley, advance arrangements should be made a s to the c ondi­ Temple Bar and Pierce Ferry. base has at least seven paved auxiliary fields west and north­ tions of beauty. You can fly close to the flat tops of some, , service, and accommodations. Some of them And more and more personal pilots are discovering that west of Phoenix. tion of the strip know you have been closer to them than any human stance from any kind of civilization. they can get ground transportation from Boulder City to We can stop in at the Flying E ranch at Wickenburg, and you are a long w alking di through the ages. satisfaction in t he huge Willow Beach, below Boulder Dam, where trout fishing is owned by Lee Eyerly, an Arizona winter resident who is an So we have kited around to our tour possibilities are unlimited in the Indian and the Hopi. We fly over the Painted tops. aviation pioneer in Oregon, or at Wickenburg municipal air­ Flying territory of the Navajo wasteland that is the the a ir The Grand Canyon, awesome as it is from any viewpoint, port west of town. Then we'll flip over Prescott to Bill Wil­ country. There is that oasis in the Desert, and the Petrified Forest, a great sight from , and many must be seen from the a ir to comprehend the full effect of liams mountain and Valle airport where TWA limousine famed Ganado Mission, there are Hopi villages in its myriad colors, then set down at Holbrook or Winslow. its size, beauty, depth, and mystery. A look over the lower service is provided to Grand Canyon Village. Near Grand landing strip, but the terrain is 6,000 feet high, canyon will prove this-your insignificant little self and your Canyon is a Site Six on Lake Havasu, former Army air base, is popular recreational center for many air travelers who like to go fishing. little air paddling machine is just plain submicroscopic in caution should be exercised in attempting to use this field. comparison. Here again we can be transfixed by the canyon itself. And Also any flight into the canyon areas will make you for those who want to fly into the canyon, Ed Montgomery conscious that two engines on an airplane are better than inaintains a h elicopter service that will plant you right down one, and if single engine flights are made everyone will feel on the bottom. much better if another airplane joins in on the tour for com­ Winging across the wide chasm from South Rim we climb pany. It's a mighty lonesome place to become lost. to 10,000 feet or more to clear the North Rim. This country However, experienced pilots can find probable emer­ of the Kaibab is great for hunting deer, but it is difficult to gency landing spots in the deepest depths of the Grand Can­ find suitable landing areas. yon. It is difficult to believe this, yet it has been done despite Our flight line leads us to Fredonia, a place worth a land­ the sheer walls thousands of feet high, and temples of rock ing just to hear about the famous Arizona strip country from that end in pointed spires. descendants of the original Mormon settlers. Because of its very nature, pilots should not venture into From Fredonia let us double back a little south but the canyon unless the air is smooth. The cliffs and depths mostly east and see Art Greene at Cliff Dwellers Lodge while can create turbulence of terrific strength from either heat or flying over the vast expanses of barren but colorful country wind. of Northern Arizona, or set down at Marble Canyon Strip. A 70-mile flight up Grand Canyon from Lake Mead is The fabulous Art Greene is building a new flight strip, enough on this trip and we'll turn where the Colorado River has first class housing accommodations. He will show you bends northward towards Tuweep. The homebound journey upper Grand Canyon in a boat that is driven on the Colorado at an altitude of 8,000 feet will unfold beautiful scenery in river by an airplane propeller powered by a 450-horsepower the Peach Springs and Seligman areas, down through Chino Pratt and Whitney engine. Valley and into Prescott. Art can take you to Rainbow Bridge, or you can fly over John Bucher, manager of the excellent Prescott municipal it yourself- a magnificent scene of color. airport, will turn out to be a man of great helpfulness for any For aerial tourists who would like to spend a real quiet of our needs. The airport's new restaurant is one of the finest. vacation in one of the most remote sections of the United Going back to Central Arizona, we can clear the Bradshaw States, there is Rainbow Lodge operated b y Bill Wilson at mountains or we can swing a little east and come down the the base of Navajo Mountain, a lone green-topped giant and Black Canyon route, a fine flight itself. a pilot's friend in Northern Arizona. We had a good look at the lower Grand Canyon on the Barry and Bob Goldwater have cut a short but safe strip last flight, but this time let us really do Northern Arizona near the lodge. If the pilot will buzz Rainbow Lodge, Bill and the canyon area from where we left off clear up to Rain­ will come down and get the party. bow Bridge in Utah, and into Navajo-Hopi Indian country. After the hospitality of the Wilsons and the wonders of Let us fly dog-leg fashion again out of Phoenix, for ex­ Rainbow Bridge, we will hop over to Monument Valley to ample, and see how much more we can find on a northbound see Harry Goulding. He has a flight strip and service that is

PAGE THIRTY-SIX • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951 On flights into Navajoland from points south, it is ad­ Grey, and where Ponderosa Pine trees abound. visable to ask questions about landing conditions from the Pushing a little farther east we come to Springerville­ people at Holbrook or Winslow. Pilots there know the Eagar in the heart of the White Mountains, popularly known country well, and in addition to pointing out checkpoints in as the Switzerland of America. The people of Springerville an area where it is easy to get lost, they usually can give and Eagar, realizing the value of the airplane, made their good tips on who to buzz, call or notify to stay in the Navajo excellent airport with their bare hands; everybody turned country. out to carry rocks, and swing shovels and picks as a com­ As we are in Winslow, we may as well fly the short hop to munity proposition to make strips 4,000 feet long. Flagstaff across Meteor Crater, and we point the nose of our With residents like Ernie Becker, a pilot himself and airplane at the lofty San Francisco Peaks at Flagstaff, the mayor of Springerville, a flying visitor can expect the best highest points in Arizona. The mountains are an airman's of treatment and every opportunity to enjoy himself in the signpost in Northern Arizona. Springerville area. Buzz the town and Ernie is at the airport There is trout fishing on nearby lakes and in Oak Creek, and waiting for you when you land. there is deer hunting, cool summer cabins and camping, and An expert fisherman himself, Becker tells you where they in the winter there is the Arizona Sno Bowl. There is some­ are biting, and he will take the time to arrange transporta­ thing to do here throughout the year. tion to the best trout lakes and streams through resorts like The Sno Bowl and the Bill Williams Ski run ( there is an Reed's Lodge at Greer. Bob Reed is also a pilot, and he main­ airport at Williams) are two examples of what pleasures can tains jeeps just for flying fishermen and deer hunters. Bisbee-Douglas airport can offer resort accommodations. be derived from a small plane in Arizona. It is approxi­ From Springerville, where the airport is at an elevation A group of air vagabonds enjoy a visit to Rainbow Lodge. mately 120 airline miles from Phoenix, for example, to Flag­ of 7,000 feet, we can take off and curl around the east side of staff. In the wintertime we can ski in the morning at the Mount Baldy, 11,590 feet high, and fly over virgin timber Sno Bowl, and after an hour and a half flight, go swimming country down the Coronado Trail to Clifton and Morenci. in Central Arizona in the afternoon. Here are the fantastic open pit copper mines, an opera­ Back to our Northern Arizona tour: We leave Flagstaff tion that is enhanced by an aerial view. There is a good air­ and fly directly over the marvelous color of Oak Creek Can­ port maintained by both towns, or one can go on to Safford yon, glimpse Mormon Lake, where there is a strip that flying where Pete Poer offers complete service at the new munic­ Phoenicians use in commuting during summer, and let down ipal field. along the Verde River valley. Returning again to Central Arizona, we can take a close Anyone who flies very long Man's achievements in West are glorious views from the air. in Arizona is going to make a look at the Graham mountain recreation area southwest of trip to the Eastern part of the state - Payson, Show Low, Safford, swing northwest to make a leg over Lake Roosevelt Springerville, Clifton-Morenci, Safford, and the Salt River­ and Four Peaks, then sail down the Salt River Canyon over I so lated Monument Valley is a short trip for plane owners. Lake Roosevelt area north of Globe. Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Stewart Mountain Dam, Super­ Here is a Cook's tour for sure. There is every variety of stition Mountains, and back to Central Arizona. landscape a flier could desire, a round-robin flight that leaves Only the variations of locale require a change "in flight nothing wanted from the standpoint of an ever-interesting routes for these same tours from any point in Arizona. Even panorama of man made and natural wonders, and of oppor­ the farthest points are less than a day apart in a Piper, an tunities to do things. Aeronca, Taylorcraft or any 80 - mile - an - hour plane. Let us again dog-leg our flight route, using the distinc­ The secret of conquering the great distances of Arizona tive Four Peaks range of the Mazatzal range near Lake by air is that we go direct - over the mountains and the can­ Roosevelt as a central check point. Nobody should ever get yons; we do not wind up or down them. And with sign posts lost in central or eastern Arizona with the 7,691 feet high like Navajo Mountain, the San Francisco Peaks, Four Peaks, peaks as a sign post. the Rincons near Tucson, and others that can be seen more than 100 miles away, it is far easier to fly here than in terri­ First we will go to Payson - and we could land on a strip You can fish from your plane at Martinez Lake near Yuma. at Bartlett Dam on the Verde for fishing enroute. Payson, a tory where you are held to a five or ten mile visibility range long, rough trip by automobile is a short 70 miles from Phoe­ because of fog, smog, or just plain smoke and bad weather. nix by air, less than an hour's flight. Even in the Grand Canyon we can find space to land Here is pine tree country again for cooling off in the safely if necessary, and in the high mountains you'll see the summer, trout fishing in season, and deer hunting in the fall welcoming slash of a cleared strip with surprising regularity. right off the runway if you are lucky. The little cow ·and Actually you do not have to own an airplane to enjoy the lumber town has gained the reputation as the most air con­ best of Arizona. There is a charter service, American and scious community in the country as at one time it had three TWA trunk lines, and two scheduled feeder airlines, Bonanza airports. and Frontier, to give you great pleasure flying to nearly every From Payson let us go over to Show Low, another small point in the state. community which has a fine airport where Pete Peterson, For the personal pilot there are many other places to stop manager, has even arranged a radio control tower . for the like Salome Where She Danced, the Casa Grande agricul­ eonvenience of visiting fliers. tural area, the rodeo grounds at Lake Roosevelt if you are The flight across from Payson will give the aerial traveler a sharp pilot, Bagdad's new airport, Clemenceau, and on a perfect view of some of the most rugged, beautiful country and on. in Arizona - the Mogollon Rim area made famous by Zane It is a great pleasure to fly in Arizona. BACK COVER OPPOSITE p AGE "A SPHlNG GARLAND" BY JosEF MUENCH. The Golden Poppies and the "THE AGED JOSHUA" BY JOSEF MUENCH. The Joshua is a member of Desert Coreopsis blend beautifully to make a bouquet on a sheltered the Yucca family (Yucca brevifolia Engelmann.) It is found in Arizona hillside. The color of an Arizona spring depends on the amount of rain­ in western Mohave County, southwestern Yavapai County, and north­ fall in late winter and early s pring. If the season is dry the tiny seeds ern Yuma County, principally in desert areas. It has b een described as remain dormant and the spring display will be meager. Such is the the typical plant indicator of the Mohave desert. The Joshua attains a situation in Arizona this season as this is written, but it may change. height of from 20 to 30 feet in the adult .stage and soi11etimes higher.

CROSSING He always loved a train. His auto horn he'd honk at every crossing of a track ... two longs . . a short, a long! Where he was born the trains passed day and night, downgrade and back. PLAUDITS FROM MEXICO : WITH FRIENDS IN HOLLAND: Before he learned to read a word, he knew .. . I wish to express to you direct our gratifica­ ... I have received your periodical for several the signals-flag, torpedo, whistle, flare­ tion on the manner you treated Mexico through months and I can nothing but express my adc and every train by name and number, too, those well written articles and wonderful pic­ miration for the fine contents of it. The articles and engine types, and freight car kinds and tures in your November 1950 issue. in ARIZONA HIGHWAYS are always very interest­ where It is not the first time y our great publication ing and give an excellent impression of living each came from by the nickname or the sign. has devoted its pages to my country, but it seems circumstances over there. The pictures are mag­ that each time you do they portray better what nificent; in Holland there are also fine magazines, A throttle-fevered fireman at nineteen, we, as your next door friendly neighbors, have but not so well illustrated, so that every one at thirty-eight he almost owned the line to offer, and feel for your country in turn. To wants to possess and to read it. Yes, everybody and yet his engine-love was just as keen. us , every such number is a direct contribution is anxious to see the new issue and this is, in my So when at last he lay remote and still to a better understanding and mutual apprecia­ opinion, the best proof of your magazine's fasci­ not heeding fragrant wreaths and funeral song;, tion. nation. it seemed God's signal when b elow the hill Alejandro Buelna Henk Huetinck an engine cried: two longs, a short, a long! Direcci6n General de Turismo Haarlemmerdijk 13 DOROTHY MARIE DAVIS Mexico D . F. Amsterdam-C -0- 4- 4- 0 Republic of Mexico Holland THE SHINING DESERT • In these hectic days, it is well to be on friend­ I wish that I knew a more shining word ly relations with our neighbors. The . . . Hello, Arizona! This just will be a short Than any I ever have seen or heard West Coast note of Mexico is so closely tied up with Arizona that to express all of our gratitude for the lots To describe the desert one autumn day. in publicizing that area we are in of fine pictures and interesting chapters deal­ White clouds were shining o'er all mountains reality pub­ ing liczing our own. with beautiful Arizona in your magazine. gray; They've brought, indeed, very close to us your And the sky, the sky was a joyous blue! splendid mountain and desert world. To us­ USE OF GRAPHIC ARTS: The far stretches of sand were shining too, that means staff and students of a Dutch school While the crystal clear air was sparkling light ... I have just seen the Christmas edition of located in the splendid Polderland below sea Of iridescent colors, dazzling, bright. your ARIZONA HIGHWAYS and I wanted to get a level and behind its dikes and dunes, where, of The cottonwood trees, a joy to behold, note off to you before the week-end to say I cour5e, mountains are unknown and cactusses A long, long row of them flaunting their gold, think this is a superb job. are growing ( a little bit) in flowerpots behind Following the trail of a dry river bed, I feel the beauty and quality you are in­ the sheltering windows. A year round monthly, While lower, the bushes were flaming red. corporating in ARIZONA HIGHWAYS will go a long we've truly been delighted receiving the new Tho' not e'en a bird o'er the blue sky was wing­ way in encouraging other agencies to produce issue. It was displayed each time in our show­ ing, more attractive literature, and that your efforts case, pages changed daily and attracted quite a Just everything, everywhere seemed to be sing- are doing more to promote the intelligent use of lot of interest. Yes, many times here it seemed ing! graphic arts than any other producer I know. impossible such high colored scenic landscapes And I all alone, all alone was there T. J. Courtney, Director are realized. We're convinced, however, sure! In that luminous shining of sand, sky and air. Bureau of Information And often we were wishing, and still we're do­ My thoughts, too, were shining and are shining Halifax, Nova Scotia ing so, to have an ARIZONA HIGHWAYS at our forget. • Our December issue was well received. The disposal since our unique Polderland is worth­ GRACE NORTH MONFORT original order of 350,000 was increased to 410,- while, too, to be pictured. But, of course, we're only a small people, 000 in order for us to take care of the demand. and then: Yau don't speak SANTA CATALINA THEATRE Dutch, I suppose. To Mr. Courtney and friends in Nova Scotia, So I'm suggesting, dear sir, Against a back-drop of cerulean blue, "Howdy" and New Year's Greetings. fly over here ( I may recommend our world The lovely Santa Catalina tower famed K.L.M. ). You will be at our world airport Above the silent watchers at their feet "N" OR NO "N": Schiphol and after a ten minute drive be at ours. And wait the sun-bell of performance hour. ... I appreciated seeing your journal, ARIZONA For you see, you are invited by this to visit Then when the color wheel begins to turn, HIGHWAYS . However, in the August 1950 edi­ the Donker's bulbfields and flower bordered These mountain mannequins stand in array ' tion a point is made of the spelling of the word canals, to undergo Dutch hospitality. Of purple, rose and deep magenta cloaks; "Agathla" and it is stated that it should be A. Danker Doffed are the golden petticoats of day. spelled with an "n." Perhaps it would b e cor-· Principal of Queen While at their feet the mute saguaros hold rect to observe the geological map of the U . S. Wilhelmina School Their hands aloft in reverent applause, Geological Survey published in 1916 in which it Badhoevedorp From yucca boxes, drowsy cactus wrens was spelled without the "n." All geological maps Holland Watch twilight pose in trailing mists of gauze. have b een approved by Congress and I think it • Hello, Holland! And warmest greetings to Night takes her cue; she plays h er part with care, remains Agathla. our friends in that land of bulbs and canal.s . And pins a star in each performer's hair. Holland is just a little bit removed from our Dr. F. J. Cannon ANNABELLE STEWART ALTWATER Salt Lake City, Utah travel field, but it is encouraging to know we have fine friends there. 0 0 C: -0- • The Geological Survet/ uses "Agathla" for the SONG OF NATURE name of the historic veak near Kayenta. Traders THE ARTIST: ESPANA: Where the trail looks over d eep valleys and hills in the area contend in the Navajo it is pro­ . . . I have become so fascinated by the sketches And gorges filled with shades of sunset dyes, nounced with a so ft "an." The question is worthy and paintings by A. Navarro Espana in the No­ The voice of the silence of more research. vember issue that I am compelled to ask if any Beats upon my ears .. . of them are for sale. Can you tell me? If so, A hum of two notes, SMOKE TREE: how does one go about it? I should like also, if The low and the high- ... Thank you so much for the wonderful article possible, to be given some idea of the size of Two pulsing harp-tones on Jimmy Swinnerton in the January issue of the originals. Struck and left singing endlessly in the void. AmzoNA l-bGHWAYS . I am very interested in the Mrs. Keith Davis All the commingled harmonies of nature: Smoke Tree. Can you tell me more about it? Flint 3, Michigan Tree life, bird song, shift of breeze, Mrs. J. R. White • Many of our readers were impressed with the Squirrel patter, deer rustle, insect buzz­ Salt Lake City, Utah sketches and paintings of the young Mexican The unseen, unknown components Lift one vast voice o The Smoke Tree is a subject which has been artist i,1J: Nov1ember ARIZONA HIGHWAYS. Mr. neglected in this magazine. W e shall make it a Espafia has just completed a successful show in With fluctuating dual tone. point to publish something about it at a later Mexico City. His address is: A. Navarro Espafia, The heart-beat, systole, diastole, date. Our good friend, W. G. Keiser of Quartz­ Vallarta 1581, Guadalajara, Jalisco , Mexico. Amt­ Answers the great earth music. site, tells us the Smoke Tree is one of the most one wishin{!, information about his art W01'k Only the sea knows the same song. beautiful of desert trees. should write him direct. Lucile V. McCurtain

PAGE FORTY • ARIZONA HIGHWAYS • FEBRUARY 1951