The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-12-30
HIGHWAY BOARD HAS u
BUY BRIDGE DR. EXPLAIN
Supreme Court Grants Order to Company That Built
Wenatchee Bridge Rejected on Engineers Report
Movement Afoot to Annul Bridge Purchase Before
Case is Decided-Bill VIII Be Introduced Early.

fight for the repeal OF the We
natchee bridge bill will he precipi-
tated in the opening days of the
coming legislature. The Wenatchee
bridge has played an important part
In the sessions of the past two legis-
latures, and it is likely that it will
be in the foreground in the coming
session. The people here are very
familiar with the different stages
AMI the efforts to have the state
purchase the bridge across the Co.
lumbia.
Supreme Court Issues Writ.
On yesterday the state highway
board was ordered to buy the We
natchee bridge from the Washington
Bridge company as provided by a
law of the last legislature, or show
cause before the supreme court on
January 18th. why this sale should
not be consummated. Chief Rudkin
granted the alternative writ on ap-
plication of the company.
Sometime ago the Washington
Bridge company made tender to
the state highway commission of the
bridge at a reduced figure from that
contemplated in the legislative
enactment. The bill provided for
the purchase of the bridge on the
voucher showing with interest from
the time of the completion of the
bridge until the contamination Of
the sale. The last tender was $140,-
600, but Attorney General Bell ruled
that the board had no authority to
purchase the bridge on any other
terms than those specified in the
| legislative enactment.
Introduce Bill Early.
7 The writ is returnable January
18th. The legislative session opens
January Sth, and the program for
those opposing the consummation
of the sale is to try and force the
repeal of the bill providing for the
purchase of the bridge, before the
supreme courts gets chance to act.
Consequently it is likely that bill
will be introduced during the first
or second day of the session so that
the measure can be killed before
the date set for hearing January -
before the supreme court.
Unless the deal for the bridge is
closed before April first. the appro-
priation will cease. There has been
a determined opposition by some
members OF the state administration
against the purchase Of the Wenat-
chez bridge by the state on the
grounds that the expenditure is a
needless one and there is no occa-
sion for the state owning bridge.
Furthermore, there is feeling
among members of the lawmaking
hoard that the Wenatchee Canal
company is getting rights over the
1ridge which should not accrue to
any private corporation.
Bridge Company Active.
The Washington Bridge company,
OF which Judge Burke of Seattle is
q 0ienber, is making determined
effort against the repeal of the leg
islativc act, and is hoping for a ia
- bic decision from the supreme
cart. making it mandatory on the
ID highway commission to con-
IN order to repeal the purchase
BIZ of the last legislature, major
it, vote of both houses is required.
The record reason for the board not
consummating the sale as provided
b. the bill, was the adverse report
OF the engineers of the state high
vav commission who examined the
bridge claiming it defective.