The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-04-01
NO OBJECTIONS
TO M'LAUGHL|N
BUILDING DRAW
ARMY ENGINEER. NOW IN MO-
BILE, SAYS He CAN BUILD A
BRIDGE ACROSS MOBILE RIVER
AT THE POINT RECENTLY Sc
LEcTED BY HIM.

The Mobile Item of recent date con-
aained the following regarding the
bridging of Mobile river by Henry Nc
Iaughlin to reach Mobile with the
Pensacola, Mobile & New Orleans
Railroad.
II is not believed that the interests
of Mobile can be prejudiced by grant
fng permission to the Pensacola, Mo-
bile 4 New Orleans Railroad to bridge
Mobile river even if 1t were within 500
or 700 feet Of Chickasabogue. This is
admitted from an engineering view
point. The bridge would not even af-
feet the turning basin were it con-
structed within 700 feet Of Chickasa-
bogue after the establishment Of the
Improvement for It would be but a
matter Of small cost TO the government
20 extend the basin that much further
eouthward by widening the proposed
channel. This fact was made known
by Major F1agIer. OF the United States
engineer department. today, when
asked az to the proposition
OF course It would be necessary to
have an act passed by congress chang
ing the lines Of the proposed basin, and
that would be only q matter OF short
delay even were the government to
start this improvement before dredging
IN the river channel proper. Major
F7agfer said that he expected TO let at
least two contracts for dredging In the
channel this summer and that an ad-
dftional government dredge would be
used in conjunction with the Wahalak.
whether the proposed turning basin
would be embraced In either OF these
lettings he could not say.
What Major FlagIer Says
I cannot see any serious reason why
such a bridge as proposed could not be
placed 700 feet south OF Chickasa-
bogue," said Major F1agler. -Of course
81 would have to be done through an
act OF congress. The emily delay would
be getting such a bill through the
lines Of the proposed turning basin
1T must first be understood, however.
that permission has not been granted
the railroad to construct a bridge at
any point across Mobile river. After
congress grants permission it is re-
ferred to the war department and then
through the local engineers department
10 the chief OF engineers at Washing
ton
Local interests would be thoroughly
considered. Under present plans the
north end of the turning basin is mid
way to Chickasabogue, extending
southwark 500 feet, where there is q
gradual contraction to conform with
the width of the channel, 800 feet The
Improvement could just as well be
STARED zoo feet south of Chicakasa-
bogue.
Even were permission granted the
railroad to bridge the river at that
point after the basin is established, II
would be an easy matter to extend thu
basin 700 feet southwark by widening
that much Of the general channel. The
cost would not be very large, as the
amount would be greatly reduced
through the use of the money for
maintenance the first year OF the basin
above the bridge. It must be under
stood that constant dredging would be
necessary whether the bridge were al
the point indicated or not.
II DO not believe that the interests OF
the port or the effectiveness of the
turning basin would be prejudiced BY
such a bridge. The type OF bridge to
be placed at such an important poiat
would be determined by the engineer
department and not the railroad. 1 am
sure such a proposition would not af-
feet the governments attitude as to
the proposed improvements for Mo-
bile"
President Mclaughlin Talks.
President Henry Mclaughlin. of the
Pensacola. Mobile & New Orleans Rail-
road. arrived in Mobile yesterday, hav-
ing spent Monday In various parts o:
Baldwin county. through which his
road is to traverse. He was in con-
ference here with persons as to right
Of way.
In an interview with the Item, Pres
fdent Mclaughlin stated that il was
not his purpose TO await the construe-
fion Of the proposed bridge before OPP
Grating into Mobile. but to start bust
ness Just as soon as e. tracks are laid
10 a certain point in Baldwin county.
This is to be accomplished by a ferry
system. which Is to maintained unrll
the bridge is available to trains.
Speaking further. he said:
To require the Pensacola, Mobile &
New Orleans Railroad Company to To-
cate its proposed bridge over Mobile