The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-25
ST. PAUL IS IN line
Prominent Citizens There Cordially
Indorse the Projected Fort
Smelling Interurban.
The Expense Of a New Bridge
Seems the Main
Obstacle.

luLeEuTDdu eieCLTlC line between the LWlQS |
by way Of Fort Smelling, favor an appropria-
ton by the st. Paul city council to rebuild
or improve the Fort Smelling bridge SO that
It may support the tracks of the new line
Two objections were raised, however, by |
St: Paul men who discussed the matter with
7 he journal this morning. A certain
come an old prejudice, and would be likely
Is was said, to oppose any electric line that
gave Minneapolis the direct communication
with Fort Smelling that now enjoyed by st.
Paul alone. A second obstacle would be the
possible refusal of the federal government to
permit the building of an electric line across
military reservation.
MAYOR SMITH TALKS.
1.-THE interests of the two cites are identi-
cal" said Mayor Robert A. Smith, Of St.
Paul, "a new interurban ine in my opinion,
would benefit the merchants of both st. Paul
aid could be granted the new line unless the
project had the sympathy of our people here
and I'm aware that some of our business men
believe that an electric line from Minneapolis
to the fort would be prejudicial to their in
ter ry ,,
mission tor street car line across the Smell,
stand it's proportion of whatever expense
is necessary to fit the bridge for the proposed
tracks"
The Smelling bridge, according to G. S. Ed
mondstone, city engineer of bridges, was con-
structed in 1880. 1t cost SILL 900, of which
smS nee then said Mr.
Edmondstone, ''the city limits have been ex-
tended to the Mississippi opposite the fort,
city authorities.
A NEW BRIDGE NEEDED.
From an engineers standpoint I should
say that this old bridge can't be ,widened or
strengthened suitably to accommodate an in
terurban line should recommend that
new bridge with 4o-foot roadway and
S-foot sidewalks be erected at a cost ranging
from s25o,ooo to 100000:
II am convinced that the city would be
glad to pay it's share of an Improvement that
| would make the fort so much more access
| ibe. But think that both the United States
and the Rapid Transit company would be
willing to contribute to the cost of the new
"This third line would be good scheme for
trolier of St. Paul. TT would help business
| at both ends.
BONDS ARE AUTHORIZED.
| Funds for the new bridge, Mr.. Betz ex-
planned, would probably have to be supplied
| from the proceeds of the bonds that St. Paul
ceeding $780, 900 each year, for building steel
bridges" and for other purposes. One quar-,
be- ea 1 the
ing three-quarters would have to come from
the proceeds Of bonds.
| The bond issue for the current year, how
ever, must be approved by the city council;
A resolution authorizing the issue has passed
the board of aldermen, but may meet import
ant opposition in the assembly.
COMMERCIAL CLUBBER APPROVES.
"a third interurban line said President T
4 F. Smith, of the st. Paul Commercial club
would be good thing for our city.
don't pretend to speak tor the commerce. aahn3
for myself, am convinced that whatever
keeps people from leaving city keeps then
from coming in. The proposed line wouie
give our people direct access to new new par
Of Minneapolis, and would permit the resi-
dents of that district to visit St: Paul NOR or
round TRIP nef thru s10 Como PARK, st. Anthon:
Park, Minneapolis, Minnehaha and Fort smell
ing, and go away with much better idea 0
the twin cities size, attractiveness and i'm
) portance. 1t would advertise both towns.
but there is always an unfortunate preJu
dice against new means of communication. !
, good many objected, I remember, when tn
5 they said would go to Minneapolis to trade
AS events proved, some of our people, go t
Minneapolis, but some of the Minneapolis peo
S Cities c have profted, both cities have grown
!, nobody has suffered. And when the secon
:; interurban line was proposed, to pass thr
tested-1t would cut the Park off from 81
. Paul and send all its bushes to Minneapo
t lis. AS matter of fact; the Park is still
yet our full share Of the Park folks trade
The second interurban has added to the pleas
IRE and the profit of St. Paul.
AN ALDERMANIC ENDORSEMENT.
a That's frst-class plan," agreed Alder
man J. w. L. Corning, prominent IN the cit
council and the Commercial club II shoul
approve 1t, and I think st. Paul should pa
, its share of any expense required by tt
It changes Ill the Smelling bridge.
+ Tourists, and other visitors to the nortf
l. west could then make the round trip by we
y of Lake Como and Minnehaha Falls, seeing
the attractions of the two towns. AS 1t
70 strangers in one city are not encouragi
le to visit the other city The new circle OF
n fractions would be irresistible. Many mo-
q outsiders would learn what advantages q.
* offered by both communities .
l. Theodore L. Schumacher, an tnhuenti
10 member Of the Jobbers' union and OF tt
4. Commercial club, said, 1T would be a gre
thing for both cities to have third intern
ban line st. Paul and Minneapolis wou
get more business from each other, and BOZ
cities would profit from the improved o.
:, portunity that would be afforded to stranger
NJ who would be glad to make the round TT
and see the combined beauties OF the twin
should suggest, tho, that Minneapolis Dug
to pay it's share towards the cost of remodel
h ing the Smelling bridge. The two cities AZ
b. the national government should divide Il
nh expense" ,....- 49,
m Forada on the Map.
lg The official plat Of Forada has bet
~ filed for record the streets all nice
at a