Arizona republican., 1909-05-22
BRIDGE SENTIMENT
WHY TWO BRIDGES SHOULD BE
 BUILT.

WHY TWO bHtOGES SnOOLO DE
 BUILT.
 To the Editor of the Republican,
 Sir:-A comprehensive plan for the development of the industries of the valley is vital at this time. It is the
 pivotal hour to shape, if not settle,
 the destiny of the valley. Wisdom and united action now is of the ut
 most importance to every town and the whole country. I have such con- fidence in the common Nsense of the
 great majority of the business men and the entire public, that l believe
 if facts are presented and a practical
 plan proposed to meet and conquer all emergencies, that enough will see it and support it, to carry it out. What we want and must have to build up all our towns is the development of all country. These undeveloped re-
 gions must be filled with homes. The
 towns will only have a healthy and
 permanent growth as the country about them is developed. The devel-
 opment of the mining interests will
 provide a staple market for every
 thing that our unlimited agricultural valley can produce. The demand and
 the supple is at our very doors. If
 we do our utmost as ranchers we cannot more than meet the demand that is knocking at our gates. We need more farms and smaller ones. We need intensified tillage and diver sified farming. It is up to us to formulate plan that will meet these conditions.
 I will outline one in this article, in a crude form, perhaps, and I ask for it the thoughtful consideration of every business man and every rancher.
 ,First-We need two bridges. They, as nothing else will, will unite the valleys and harmonize the people. This is especially important now. We need the Tempe bridge, for it will open up the highway for ;he good road system contemplated. in the law for this purpose passed by the last legislature. It is the shortest route from Phoenix to Mesa and ms the advantage of all the expenditure of the county on the macadamized road already built. This has been emphasized by MT. Goodwin and other writers from Tempe. The bridge at Tempe will become a part of this road system and should be built. Let it be understood, however, that to adopt this road and bridge as the territorial highway under that law. makes it impossible to build a troll ley line or any railroad over it, for the law expressly prohibits it. This prohibitory provision on the road will prove advantageous to the Tempe bridge, as it will cost much less to build a wagon road bridge than one strong enough to carry a railroad for and freight. Thus a wagon bridge can probably be constructed for nearly the $60,0 900 asked. Then there will be no great loss to Tempe, as the present railroad and the fast service of the motor cars soon to be put on between Phoenix and Mesa, will meet all requirements and render any other railroad operated by the same people. paralleling this line between Tempe and Phoenix of very little value as an investment To build the bridge at Tempe for this public highway and the accommodation of the country on the north side of the river east of the asylum will be of great advantage. So much for the Tempe bridge.
 Now, why should the Center street bridge be built? l am not going to re- state the many arguments that have been so well and justly put by the committee having the Center street bridge in charge. Those arguments are sound and convincing, and ought to command every vote on the south side from a mile or two west of Tempe, in Phoenix and all the sur country. It is as plain as a pike staff, they cannot afford to vote otherwise than for the bridge.
 Now I will give another reason for the building of the Center street bridge. and I want Mesa and Lehigh to listen. It probably may not be known and unless this exigency did not exist would not be announced at this time, that a belt motor or trolley line railroad that will be worth as much if not more to Lehigh, Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix and the interven- ng country than the building of either bridge, is not only contemplated, but much progress has been made to- wards carrying it out Responsible business men are planning an inter lrban system of railroad that will de- velop the industries of the whole val ley. The Orange Belt and Scottsdale Railway company is incorporated, and has most of the right of way already 1eeded or pledged from Phoenix to Scottsdale and quite a large amount of stock signed up and more pledged for it's construction. This road will sure ly be built. While it is not for the present, legally, a part of the inter urban railroad system, it is working in harmony with it, and cooperating with it in every way possible. This belt line that will soon reach Scotts- dale will be extended east across the 'iver. at the best practicable point pass trough Lehigh and go to Mesa, thence west to Tempe, and through country so as to develop all land west of | Tempe to the Center street bridge | over that bridge and into | If will connect Uifb tba |