The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-11


Gated at Spruce Street
The interviews printed in yesterdays
TRIBUNE relative to the movement in
favor Of changing to Mulberry street
the proposed Linden street bridge, have
created an interest in the matter whic h
goes to show that there are many who
believe that such n change would bo
most acceptable. Among the number
is Hon. 7. V. Powderly.
Mr. Powderly says he Is not in the
real estate business and is therefore
not biased in his views. When asked
by a TRIBUNE reporter for his opinion
on the matter, Mr.. Powderly said:
MR. PowDERLY's OPINION.
II may not know enough about the
circumstances to speak with q wonder.
full degree OF Intelligence on the sub
ject because have not given it much
attention. We voted for bridge Mt
Linden street and | understand that il
we desire to change IL we may be
obliged TO vote on the bridge question
again. 1t would take another year to
do this and by that timo we shall in all
probability need another bridge.
II believe that the Mulberry street
approach Is better adapted to bridge
purposes than Linden street. | thought
so before the election and | think so
now But Linden street had caught
the popular fancy and the councils de-
cided to place it there had nothing
to say. What | think the people want
IS bridge They want 1t quick and
want 1t within the appropriation too. |
think it can be built at Mulberry street
at much less expense than at Linden
street, for nearly all the land on the
west side Of the river which would
probably be the terminus OF the Mul,
berry street bridge, is unimproved.
My reason for not attending the
meeting on Tuesday night and for not
caring to have anything to say was be-
cause 1t might be urged against me
that was in favor Of Mulberry street,
because Mulberry street was nearer TO
my property than Linden street As
far rs that is concerned, Linden street
is as good for me az the other, since |
am not in the real estate business.
1T ia complained that the property
owners along Swetland street are de-
maudiuG too high prices for their land
1t seems TO me it would be-
good idea to have the viewers OF
whoever has tho matter in hand. to
take an assessor with them and have
the property Of these people assessed to
a proper legal proportion Of the value
the owners place on it. | think IT'S
only fair that the city should pay as
much or II little more, than anyone
else for a mans property, because 1t is
sometimes troublesome to move and
select a new home; bat then the
city might be benefited in the way
| have suggestsd.
MIR. KILLERS yIEws
Luther Keller can hardly he consld-
cred among those who believe that n
bridge at Mulberry street would DO
more convenient or desirable In any
way than bridge at Linden street.
Quite the contrary, MI kellar thinks
tnat the bridge, II i: were possible to
place it at Spruce street. would be even
more desirable because 1t would be
nearer 10 the majority Of people on
both sides Of the river.
III ! were TO bs swEyed by any pe.
cuniary interest may haveiu tho loca.
ton OF the bridge, said Mr.. Keller. 81
should favor placing It at Mulberry
street. for have property Of consider
able value at the corner Of Adams ave-
nue. and Mulberry street, while | have
none I'm the Vicinity Of Linden. The
unfortunate feature Of the Linden
street site at present Ia the fact that
the grade at the western end, Swetlsnd
street, would DO greater than that OF
psttebone street. | think 1t would
be better ia the end to i'm
prove the grade at Linden street
even IL II cost more money We are
building bridge TO accommodate tho
peoule Of today not those who may live
afty years from now. am convinced
that the bridge at Linden street would
be far more convenient, far better IN
every way than bridge Rt Mulberry
,treet Nine lenths oi the people Of
the West Side who may have occasion
10 travel over the bridge line south Of
Swetland street, aud in order to 60 10
the center Of the city, would BE- obliged
10 walk a greater distance II the bridge
were to be placed at Peitebone street
Even then they would not be rs near
the court house or the post Office and
would not be much farther away from
the municipal building. The only real
objection to Swetlsnd street as FAR as
| can zee is the steep grade and be-
lieve that this should be improved even
If II becomes necessary TO have more
money TO do II.
"I think this agitation is going 10
delay the building Of the bridge. II is
certain that il tha location Ia changed
from Linden to Mulberry street, the
Linden street property holders will
protest and will enjoin the city from
placing it at any place other than that
voted for ! think the bridge should
be placed No near as possible TO the
business portion Of the city. As said
before, we are building a bridge for to-
day, and 1t should be built to accom-
modate the greatest number.
Mr.. Mason, OF Mason & Co., also
favors the Linden street site for the
bridge. He thinks it would be more
accessible to the business element,
both of East and West Scranton, than
Mulberry street,
Joseph A. Mears voted for the Lin.
den street bridge and thinks it would
give general satisfaction II placed
there.
Mr.. Belts, of Ira Bennett g. Co.,
favors Mulberry street. He thinks it
would be the most satisfactory place
60 haua a hri10a