Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-05-06

The articles in the Herald, setting
forth the actual conditions confront
ing Aberdeen in regard to bridging
the Wishkah river have borne fruit
and not line of them have been
disputed. This is evidenced by the
numerically weak opposition to the
projected new bridge at Wishkah
street, which as a forlorn hope will.
it is currently reported, attempt to
have the ordinance submitting the
proposition to a referendum vote re-
pealed at the meeting of the city
council tomorrow night.
1t is extremely doubtful if such a
measure would carry at this late
hour, especially in view of the fact
that but one member of the old coun
Gil voted against the ordinance sub
mitting it to vote and his reason
was openly admitted not to have been
economy but because the ordinance
did not carry provision to purchase
the West Bridge for some $60,000.
Cannot Dodge Expense.
AS has been conclusively shown in
these columns, the city cannot dodge
an expense this year in providing for
the traffic over the Wishkah river.
the method of making this necessary
expenditure is the only topic for con-
Sideration, and, now that a referen-
dunn has been called upon that ques-
ton, it would be an insult to the in
telligence of the voters of Aberdeen
for u new mayor and seven council
men set themselves above the elect
crate on so important question.
Such members of the council as
have taken the trouble to inform
themselves upon this subject must ad-
init that the expenditure of large
sum must be made at once to accom-
odate the public and for the general
welfare Of the city. If the bond elec-
ton is called off, or if the bond prop
osition is defeated, we have it on
the authority of Engineer Lockwood
that repairs which he estimates to
cost $4,000 must be made to make
the Heron street bridge safe, and
that four months will be required to
make such repairs.
Engineer Lockwood refused to guar
antee the bridge to last any definite
length of time after such repairs are
made, and he informed Street Com
missioner Arthur that in all probabil-
ity $4,000 additional would soon be
required to keep the tottering struc-
tnre in commission.
Which Is True Economy?
Now, as to which plan is true econ
omy. Not to exceed $4,000 will be
required to build a modern, quick
action bridge, which would be paid
for in 20-year bonds, and the increas-
ed wealth and population, which
would have the use of the bridge.
will help pay the bonds. On the
other hands if the Heron street bridge
is maintained it will cost not less
than $4,000 to be paid in 6 per cent
warrants, which will be placed in the
next years budget and levied upon
the present taxpayers next year,
when, according to Engineer Lock,
wood, in all probability the bridge
will be useless. In addition to this
must be added the cost of a ferry
during those repairs, which will run
up the warrant issue to not less than
$4,000, on the immediate payment
plan. If anybody can show us econ
omy in this method we will give
him a years subscription to this great
family journal absolutely free.
Lack of Information Amazing
The lack of information on this
topic on the part of some of the city
administration is amazing. Mayor
elect France, who has announced his
opposition to the bonds, admitted to
the writer that he had not read the
report of Engineer lockwood-not-
withstandng the fact that it was pub
1ished last week-nor was he aware
of the precarious condition of the
Heron street bridge-a condition that
may cause the loss of life or prop
erty any day, and make the City oi
Aberdeen pay the price of severa
bridges in the way of damages.
A councilman informed the Herald
that ne was opposed to the expendi
ture of $95,000 for bridge across
the Wishkah river, seemingly not in
formed that but about half Of thai
sum will be required, and that he
Al a councilman has voice in thu