The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-17
Special to The journal.

Mobile, Ala, Aug. 16.-The Item of
today says: With the tracks of the
pensacola, Mobile & New Orleans
railroad rapidly approaching Rlakelv
river on the eastern shore, a short dis
tance above Daphne. Henry NcI.ausb-
lin, builder of the road between Mobile
and Pensacola, is anxious for ex-
tension OF the line to this city. II is
the purpose Of Mr.. McLaughlin to con-
sruct the line from the east side of
Blakely river to the east side of Mo-
bile river on trestles and fills. the
western terminal to be established
+ temporarily either on Pinto island or
on the southern end of Blakely Island
directly opposite the city. Pending
arrangements for the construction of
bridge across Mobile river, the rail-
road Will handle business by ferry.
AT conference between Mr. Nc
Laughlin and a special committee Of
the Mobile chamber of commerce and
Business League few days ago Mr..
Mclaughlin presented defnite
proposition. Briefly, he proposed the
construction of the line between the
east side of Blakely river and the east
side of Mobile river, provided the
Chamber Of Commerce or individuals
would pay interest upon $3.50 600
bonds for the completion of the pro-
Ject' or $4,000 per annum during the
lie OF the bonds. He agreed to so
construct the trestle and roadway thar
IT could be used by automobiles and
also agreed to the use Of his tracks
by an electric line in consideration
Of the payment Of the $4,000 interest.
which would be in lieu Of rental He
specified. however, that wagons hcul~
ing produce or commercial trafac of
any Kind be barred reserving this
freight business to his own lire
ELECTRIC COMPANY PRoPosEb.
At the time of the meeting the
members of the Chamber of Comnerco
and Business League in attendance
were of the opinion that the demands
OF Mr.. Mclaughlin were unreasonable.
but since that time the organization
Of private company to operate the
electric line and automobile road has
been proposed. If this is finally de-
cided upon the company will secure
the right to operate electric cars be-
tween the east side Of Mobile river
and Baldwin county and will. in all
probability, continue the electric line
south along the eastern shore to
Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Battles
and Point Clear, possibly to Fort
Morgan.
The increasing trafflc between Mo-
bile and eastern shore points would
make such a line profitable. II is as
serted by those who have considered
the matter seriously. It is believed
that Mr.. Mclaughlin will have no OBJ
lection to the handling OF freight be-
tween Mobile and points which are not
competitive with the Pensacola. Mo-
bile & New Orleans railroad
This plan will be discussed at the
next conference with Mr.. Mclaughlin,
which may be held tomorrow, as that
gentleman is expected to reach Mo-
bile sometime today or tonight
Following completion OF the exten-
sion to the Mobile river Mr.. McLaugh-
lin purposes the establishment of a
steam ferry for the handling Of freight
and passenger business pending the
construction Of bridge. It is possI-
BILE that vessels large enough to handle
loaded freight cars viii be put in SER
vice. allowing interchange between the
Mclaughlin line and the railroads en-
tering Mobile.
BRIDGE ACROSS MOBILE RIVER.
The construction of a bridge across
Mobile river was taken up several
months ago with the rivers and har-
Mr.. Mclaughlin to build the structure
at Choctaw Point This was deemed
inadvisable, as a bridge at that point
would tend to block navigation at the
entrance of the harbor. It was then
suggested that the bridge be construct
ed just north Of the proposed govern
ment turning basin at Chickasabogue
| but since this decision was reached
the matter has been temporarily side
| tracked.
Shortly after the decision of the
rivers and harbors commission was
reached with reference to the Mobsls
river bridge, the purchase Of practical
/ ly all Of Blakely Island, directly op-
posite the city, was announced by
John T. Cochrane, president of the
| Tombigbee Valley railroad. The title
| to the property is now vested in the
Mobile Terminal Company, a Cochrane
corporation, and will probably be de-
veloped by the construction of railroad
| terminal facilities and manufacturing
plants in the near future. Mr. Coch-
rane has not stated his plans definite
| Iy, but has said that the Blakely Island
property offered unusual opportunities
for the construction Of manufacturing
plants, both on account Of the rail-
facilities that would be possible for
| securing raw material as well as
proximity to export docks.
The purchase Of this property is
particularly interesting from the fact
| that the Mobile Terminal Company
also owns Farmers Island, north Of
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