Arizona republican., 1909-05-23
AN AMUSING SIDE SIDE 0F BRIDGE CONTROVERSY
As Seen by a Tempe nesident.-
 Other Prases of the Question.

In spite of the seriousness of the question of bridge location it isl really amusing the way the Center Street bridge committee is obliged to scratch around for arguments in favor of their bridge site.
 So far as I have heard or read their arguments are lacking in weight, in logic and in justice. They have realized the weakness of their position from the first, and are using every possible means to influence the voters in their favor. If bridge at Center street was the best location, and for the convenience of the largest number of people of Mari copa county, they would not be obliged to resort to such strenuous efforts to get people to favor that site.
 A bonus should not be considered in the location of a bridge or public highway, but rather the convenience and utility to the greatest number. of people: the natural advantages of the location and the cost of building. It happens that the bonus in this case cuts no figure, for after the bonus is paid a bridge at Center street would still cost far more than a bridge at the Tempe site.
 Most of the people on this side of the river live to the south and east of Tempe. The nearest and most desirable route to Phoenix for them is by way of Tempe.
 There are few people living across the river to the south of Phoenix, and it is not likely there will be many for several years to come. We can use that road, to be sure, by going four miles out of our way, and by building a new road practically all the, dis tance from Mesa to Phoenix.
 I believe the bridge should be built for the people who are here now Who have made this country what it is Not for people who may come a few years hence. When that part of the valley needs a bridge then will be the time to build it.
 We should not forget that in build ing a bridge we are building for gen. erations. perhaps 9 century or more. The very best natural location should be selected The Tempe site offers narrow channel with rocky bottom and without the necessity of dirt
  bridge would be the connecting link making one continuous completed road from Phoenix to Mesa. A road which has cost the tax payers thou sands of dollars, which they would not do well to abandon and build another. On this road are located two public institutions, the insane asylum and the normal school. The country on either side is not a bit inferior to the route from Center street to Mesa, as one correspondent says it is.
 All the talk about electric cars via Center street route is bOsh. There is nothing south of the river west of Tempe to suggest the building of an electric road. The route they propose would miss Tempe by about two miles. A most untentable prop osition. The Tempe road, through well settled country districts, past public institutions and sanitariums, the natural resort at the Hole in the Rock" and vicinity; suggests the idea of an electric road as soon as the bridge is completed.
 And let me say right here that large majority of the people of Tempe are in favor of an electric line from Phoenix to Mesa.
 One writer says encourage the wood industry by the Indians to the south of Phoenix" or words to that effect. We might with equal force say we have the same number of Indians to the north of us across the river Let's build a bridge at Tempe so they can at all times cross the river with their wood and pro- duce, as they do daily when the river is fordable.
 Besides don't you think for one minute that the wood the Indians draw into Phoenix is going to put down the price of wood.
 Another word yet in conclusion. We know that the gentlemen promoting the Center street bridge are worthy public spirited men. But we know in this case many of them are put ting personal advantage before the good of the county. We people of Tempe and Mesa do not expect to gain any pecuniary advantages, more than the added conveniences which will come to us through the location of the bridge at Tempe.
 We believe a bridge here would serve the business men of Phoenix better. and we hope there are enough disinterested voters (from personal advantage standpoint to vote to put the bridge at Tempe, where, until the present agitation the people of this county have always expected to build their bridge.
 Yours Truly,
 JAY BLOUNT.