St. Tammany farmer., 1911-08-12
BRIDGE OVER
THE LAKE
Garland Replies to Some I'm
favorable Comment.
Says Statement of Engineers
of Old Syndicate
Are of No Value in Discus
sing Present Plans.
Evidently There Are Some
Who Don't Want It.

| declaring tnaL the unIaVOTaDle re
port submitted by Messrs. Coleman
Maloche and Villere, engineers, or
the proposed trans-Pontchartrair
bridge project was predicated or
| conditions that existed 10 years ago
Mr.. Henry L. Garland, the father
of the revived speedway scheme
Monday stated that it would in nc
way affect the present enterprise.
about 10 years ago." said Mr..
Garland, "Messrs. Coleman and
Maloche were asked to make an esti-
mate on the cost of the proposed
bridge across Lake Pontchartrain,
taking into consideration the oper-
ating expenses and the anticipated
of their investigation the following
figures:
$2,33s,0o0 for the bridge and
$4,000 for the steamers.
"But the estimate made by these
gentlemen was based on the receipts
of the East Louisiana Railroad Com
pany, since which time the freight
and passenger traffic has more than
quadrupled, and would be further
increased tenfold if the bridge was
built. Many persons have announced
that when the time of the trip across
the like is reduced by one-half, as
will be the case when the bridge
is completed, they intend taking up
their residence in st. fammany
Furthermore, Mr.. Coleman's re-
pert calls for expensive electric plants
and powerhouses, together with four
Or five drawbridges, whereas three
would probably be sufficient
Mr.. Garland pointed out how when
the time between New Orleans and
Covington was one hour and So
minutes many persons of means had
made it the practice of coming over
daily for the work, but now that the
time with the present schedule of
two and half hours, they find such
trips somewhat too inconvenient.
Even at that" declared Mr.. Gar
land, with conviction, "the traffic be-
tween New Dreams and Covington is
constantly growing. Many of our
citizens have their families in Cow
ington and other points and make
frequent trips in spite of the incon-
ycnience of slow schedule. If a
quick schedule was stablished not
only these, but the laboring classes
would be encouraged to take home
out in st. Tammany, coming to the
city daily to their work.
Mr.. Stevens nd other engineers
are: convinced that the structure can
be built at smaller cost than that
figured by the firm above quoted. If
ST 100000 can be raised by the peo-
pie of Orleans and St. Tammany, the
balance of the money necessary can
be secured by bonds of the railroad
Or bridge company that will have
charge of the project"
1t is said that Mayor Behrman will
probably appoint committee to CO.
operate with the one named by Judge
Burns few days ago.
In the short time that the project
has been revived" said Mr.. Garland,
"a wond erfulI
of interest has been evinced.
1t has for long time been dream
OF our people, and the time has now
come for action. The people should
not be disturbed by the pessimistic
estimate given by Mr.. Coleman,
which does not take into considera-
tier the increase of traffic which will
occurr if the bridge is butt, and the
receipts at present realized by the
New Orleans Great Northern rail-
road, which a cunt in passenger
business alone to about 100000
That traffic has bee in
creased is further shown by the fact
that two boats are operating on the
lake now, as against only one a few
years ago. Everything points to an
success of the enterprise
If the people of St. Tammany and
Orleans get together