Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-04-29

September .............. :. 332.81
November ............ ..... 6.25
jan, 1913 61.lO
February $50
March ......... ............ 1871
Total ....... ........... $2,292.72
This expense is in addition to the
pay of the three men who operated
the bridge, and are simply for repairs
made when the bridge needed them,
and the need is almost all the time.
Last Sunday crew of street men
worked all day getting the structure
in shape to handle the traffic on
Monday
Entitled to Good Bridge
The industries, residents and bust
ness men of East Aberdeen and South
Aberdeen are entitled to easy access
to the city proper, the city is con
cerned as whole in providing the
the communities to the eastward, as
we'll as the tourist travel from the
Sound to the Ocean beaches, and the
Herald is satisfied that if the voters
of the city will take sufficient inter.
est in the matter to vote on May 13.
modern lift bridge, that will open
and close in a less number of Sec
onds than the present inadequate
structure requires minutes will be
provided.
Lack of Interest Amazing
The Herald having announced that
it would give space for the discus
sion of this question, from either
side, has received the following COM
munication from Attorney Ira N.
Gardner:
Editor Herald
The seeming lack of interest on the
part of the tOwnspeople toward the
matter of the proposed bond issue for
the building of proper permanent
structure across the Wishkah, would
indicate that they do not realize the
importance of the matter. Yet
everyone knows that the present
bridge is unsafe and inadequate in
every way, and that continuing as it
is, invites trouble, delay and ex-
pense.
In q city, situated as is Aberdeen
not merely on a river. but within and
about rivers-a growing city whose
transportation facilities must always
keep step with its growth-the mat.
ter of bridges is Of the greatest i'm
portance. Neither Of our rivers ia
so broad as to offer any unusual en-
cheering problem. The only ques-
tions are those of the expense.
Twice, during the past year, our
present structure has caused trouble,
and the expense, in each case, Of put.
ting the bridge back in shape, has
been an absolute loss. Instead of re-
pairs which gave us an adequate and
safe bridge, the result was merely
a temporary makeshift at best. Not
only have a number of the castings
rusted to point where they are
dangerously weakened, but the pier,
upon which the structure swings, is
weak and shifting.
The report of the engineer who
made an expert examination of the
bridge should satisfy any mind as
to the trouble We are inviting when
we continue under the present condi.
tions. He is an expert, and the price
he commanded indicates that he is a
topnotcher and knows his business.
Mayor-elect France stated in a
newspaper interview that he would
oppose the bond issue. He was elect
ed on a platform of economy, yet. If
he invites a continuance of the pre-
sent conditions, with almost a GER
tainty of more trouble, involving
more expense of repair which will be
an absolute loss to the taxpayer, 1t
does not appear to be the kind of
economy which tends toward a less
ening of the already heavy burden.
All, regardless of position, are en-
titled to their views in the matter,
and the Mayor told the writer that, at
the time he made the interview state
ments, he was unacquainted with the
report of the expert.
Ignoring the question of the cost.
the present location of the bridge is
strategically wrong. Why, when
entrance across the river can be made
in a direct and straight line, should
that double right angle turn which
is necessary if the bridge is built at
any other place than Wishkah street,
considered? Why that extra cross
ing of railroad tracks, especially at
such dangerous angle as at present?
The diverting of the traffic, north or
south does not come until the river
is crossed, and it would be far better
to divert the traffic on some street
other than the main business thOrO.
ughfare. As the traffic is increasing,
it is better to keep it in a straight
line as far as possible.
Now, that tentative estimates ad-
vanced show that the limit Of the is
sue, $95, 100000 is far too high land 1t
would seem that half Of that amount
would come very near to erecting