Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-25
Norfolk Berkley Bridge ouesti on
Berkeley. Va. Feb "a INN

Mr.. Editor: -'
Referring to the Norfolk and Berk-
ley bridge question, for which Two
charters are now before the Legislu-
lure and which is the topic OF con-
Eersation among our people there is no
uouot that the Berkeley people want a
bridge 1t is public necessity. which
should be constructed. This town is
growing very fast, and it's growth is
necessarily south, getting further anu
further each year from the ferry. In
u few years its centre of population
VIII be fully mile from the ferry, and
IL is unreasonable for the lessees of the
Terry and one or two other concerns
from Il purely selfish motive to try To
prevent the building of such a great
convenience to the public Must the
present contracted facilities for inter-
course between Norfolk, Portsmouth
and Berkeley ever remain in order. that
lew may continue to fatten at the
expense of the many? Must Norfolk
aiWays submit to one ferry to Ports
mouth, no matter what its increase Of
population. because second one would
decrease to some extent the S6OOO0
yearly rental OF the present monopoly?
Must no more bridges be built bec,nsn
a corporation wishes its steamships "a
nave an absolutely open stream? Must
no more electric light plants. gas
pants. street car lines be established
because they might cut down the revc-
nues OF the existing concerns now do
ing the business without n competitor?
haven't we had too much of this kind
or progress? Is not such a partial
moue OF management of the peoples
aialrs largely responsible for Norfolk's
failure to have Il half million of popu-
lation, which our natural advantages
warrant us in having? JLet us cease to
iegislate for few aud consider more
the rights OF the masses. Now tho
people want n bridge, and they do not
want concern to come forward aud
prevent it because they are cnrrvin,r
the traffic, a t big prices, with the plea
that twill injure their business. We
want another outlet for the southern
section of Berkeley. We want more fn
ciiities for getting back and forth. We
do not want to pay two and q half
cents Tor Il foot passenger to cross the
river when one cent is ample and can
De had IL the peoples representatives
VIII serve them as they should
The last charter asked for shows
some consideration for the public, and
1t should be granted. Tt has no inten
tion OF absorbing the ferry and thereby
make n monopoly of the traffic to and
from this place. 1t asks to be allowed
TO build bridge and enter the field as
n fair competitor. 1t proposes to go
beyond the Norfolk and Western bridge
and thus do away with the objections
from that source, and to q disinterested
party 1t comes nearer to Offering lis
what We want. What We should really
have is free bridge for all passengers
and vehicles and n sweeping away OF
the Gordon of toll roads and bridges
that now surround Norfolk. When these
things are done. which will be n throw
ing down of the bars to the adjacent
counties. perhaps Norfolk will make
more rapid strides toward the realiza-
tion of being n big city, and Norfolk
cannot attain such proportions without
a parallel growth by Portsmouth and
Berkeley. but as we cannot have u free
bridge let us have the best we can,
JAW