The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1893-09-14

LISTENED TO ARGUMENTS FOR SITES
The Fa,orites Of Which appear to be Frank
lin and Webster With Elm Third Choice

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the Joint committee of the city
council and the county commission
ers met this morning at 10 O'Clock
in the committee room of the city
council to hear talks in favor Of the
various bridge sites under consider
alton.
Chairman Herbert and all the
members of the committee were
present.
Mr.. q. K. Wilson, the civil engi-
neer, presented and read commu-
nicatlon from the citizens of South
Waco strongly favoring Webster
street, which was compared with
the other sites offered. The bridge
with it's approaches, if located at
Webster street would cost about
the same as at Washington street,
or the alley opposite Elm street,
and considerably less than it would
at Franklin. In fact, the approaches
alone at Franklin would cost nearly
half as much as the building of the
bridge at Webster.
One great point in favor of
Webster, Mr.. Wilson said, was the
high bank Oh the east side of the
river at this point, 1t being high
er there than it is for several
miles below and all west crossings
would be as nearly AS possible at
right angles to the line Of travel on
the street.
At present Webster is opened on
the east side of the river far be-
yond Peach street. Webster and
Peach streets would be the main
arteries of tiavel from East to
West Waco and vice versa. Web
ster would be al excellent thorough.
fare and run IN close proximity 70
all the manufacturing establish
ments Of the Guy, to the Wholesale
houses and railroad depots.
WANTED WEBSTER.
Col. Parrott stated that the bulk
of trade and travel originated south
Of Washington street. If it origi.
mated On the east side there would
be no need OF a bridge for twenty
years to come. Sixty per cent of
the travel Of the east side comes
from the south.
They are not building the bridge
for the present but for the future.
1t should be located according to
the topography of the city and
county, and the growth, de-
mand and development Of
the city.
Seventy.tve per cent. of the city's
population, Colonel Parrot said,
was south of Austin street. North
Waco woulu grow on account of its
topograp ply. Trade centers were
usually down in fiat streets. He
could point to one house on Frank.
lin that paid more taxes than all of
Elm street. AS large taxpayer
aud the representative of corpora.
tions that were large taxpayers, he
was entitled to say that the bridge
should be at Webster street.
With repairs he believed the
present bridge would last 100 years
and be good for all trade and traffic
on the east side. Webster street
was the place to locate the bridge,
as it would nave natural approaches
to the bridge.
OPPOSED NEW BRIDGE.
Mr.. Mann, of East Waco, saw nc
necessity for new bridge for
twenty years to come. They should
pattern after other cities.
Elm street was open through
east Waco. No other street was
opened over there to the city liml =.
A bridge street, Mr.. Mann argue ,
was the poorest street in towl
Bigger towns than Waco had only
one bridge, and Mr.. Mann cited
Nashville, Tenn, winch he errone.
ously stated had 100000 people,
when 50, 900 would have been nearer
the mark.
In twenty years the cost of keep.
ing up two bridges would b. equal
to the cost OF building a new one.
Elm street was the common centre
of the city, and some day there