The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1910-04-28
Shreveport Officials Called to Account.
Editor Pocciar Ponno,

Shreveport Officials Called to Account.
Editor Bossier Banner.
Inc Shreveport press, in following out
the general program on the bridge cues
tlon, Is trying to smother out the Bossier
romeo jury and take possession of the
whole matter, placing the representatives
or Bossler IN the unenviable light of OBJ
structlonists. If, perchance, the Bossier
SIDE should endeavor to explain their po-
sitlon through the columns of the Shreve-
port papers, the communications are child"
in the advertising pages.
The Caucasian of Sunday morning in a
long editorial deals with the subject in a
most reasonable spirit, but the article dis
plays gross ignorance of facts on the part
Of the writer.
| am reliably informed by member of
the committee who interviewed the United
States engineer that the type of bridge
proposed for the Texas Street site is per-
mlssible at almost any point.
The ", S. and P. Railroad Company
cannot cut loose and leave us adrift, except
for short time during reconstruction of
their bridge, however much they NAV
desire so to do.
1t is also notable fact that the high
officials of the ", S. and P. were very
active in securing the adoption Of the
Texas Street site, presumably for the pro-
lection bridge located there wobld afford
them, where's traffic bridge located at
Lake Street, below the v, S. and P.
bridge, would be protected by it, and this
without adding any burden to the railroad
company, because it will have to protect
the river banks whether traffic bridge is
built or not.
The present arrangement for crossing
the river has proven quite convenient and
safe during the past twenty six years and
it is still satisfactory to most of the Bossier
people.
The demand by Shreveport for "free
bridge was confirmed by an election held
In that place some years ago. The Police
Jury has agreed to give up the tolls COL
lected in the interest of free bridge, but
not for the Texas Street movement to ex-
travagance. The present tolls would not
pay the interest on the deferred payments
of cost on the Texas Street bridge.
The Police Jury was not invited to at
tend the conference with the United States
engineer on the question of location of the
bridge.
The War Department was asked for a
permit for Shreveport to build the bridge,
not Shreveport and Bossier Parish.
Engineer Hedrick never advises with
Bossier, except to write letter asking fol-
a remittance.
The Council, or Bridge Committee, OF
Shreveport, adopted plans and methods in
the premises without consulting Bossier
and apparently expect US to accept them
as Glands before the shearer."
With these conditions, l feel that if in.
deed a member of the Police Jury, in ex.
ASPIRATION, deals in Incorporate words he
is excusable. According to the Times
report, Mr.. J. T. McDade Ga member of the
Bossier Police Jury) was made the scape
goat of the last conference. However,
assume an equal share of the response
blity.
The bridge question is of such wide i'm
port that it would be criminal for any in
dividual to allow his personal feelings t.
get in the way of its solution. l believ,
the Bosser Police Jury is composed o
men broad enough in their views to hid
personality in official duty.
. l do not believe that the Shreveport
r Council has a monopoly of the intelligence
: necessary to settle the vexed question, AM
+. the sooner Lney reallze tnlS IdcC tne SOOne
we can get together and arrive at def
' mite conclusion.
a Shreveport has for years, through de
, vious methods, Legislative and otherwise
j tried to wrest from Bossier the control G
!. the Shreveport bridge. The presen
! method of brow-beating by the Shreveport
f press is only a continuation of thes
= efforts. It has been and is now an I'm
: equal fight for the Parish of Bossier. Blu
9 if the other members of the Police Jur
feel as do, we shall continue to act upo
what we think is best for Boosters inter
;, terests, whether or not it meets the wishe
y y of Shreveport. wv. ELsToN,
+ Member of Police Jury.