The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1914-03-12
THE TRUTH CONCERNING THE
FERRY FRANCHISE

EDITOR Il EkAlD.--Aiy attention has
been callcd to an article published n
your papar on Febauarv Goth and signed
by T. a. stephens. Tho article includes
a letter received b.. S;tephens from the
acting Commissioner CT tire department
Of commerce, bureau cf navigation.
Washington. and ia that latter Stephens
is informed that the Corsrsissioners Of
DeSoto county have no rover to grant
an exclusive right to carry Passengers
for hire across the waters Of Charlotte
Harbor Brg," Ii appears that steph-
ems had, through ignorance Of the
fact represented to the acting commits
sloner that Punta Gorda and Charlotte
Harbor We're situated on Charlotte Har-
Dor bay.
Now, Mr.. Editor as this matter lis one
of considerable public interest. ask n
little Of your valuable space in order to
set forth the TRUTH. and assure you
that | shall not again discuss 1t through
your paper or any ether.
Il the iirst place Punta Gorda and Char
lotte Harbor are not situated on Charlotte
Harbor bay, and in the second place no
attempt was made to procure a franchise
across Charlotte Harbor bay. Punta
Gorda and Charlotte TIarhor are towns
situated opposite each other on Peace
river which river flows into Charlotte
Harbor bay q considerable distance be-
low either Of them
The law Of the state OF Florida makes
1t the duty Of the board of county COM
missioners to grant an exclusive franchise
in a proper case for the maintenance
and operation OF a ferry from a street
or public road on one side of a river to
street or public road on the other side of
the river IN the same county. when it
has been shown to the Boards satisfac-
ton that due notice of the application
for the franchise has been published,
and when the applicant has compiled
with all of the provisions of law governing
the matter
In as much as the exact location Of the
two towns was a iurisdictional necessity,
the first step my attorney. Wallace Chad
man, took in preparing to apply to the
Board for the franchise was to procure
from the Department Of Commerce, Coast
and Geodetc Survey. official information
as TO the situation Of the towns, and in
letter dated March 81, 1911, signed by O.
II. Titmann. the superintendent of the
formed that the towns were situated on
Peace river which empties into Charlotte
liarbor bay This information was cor
roborated by official chart No. lis Of the
Gulf Coast Geodetic survey the supreme
authority in such matters.
/ wish to emphasize right here that, in
procuring this official information, moth
ing was misrepresented to the Depart
ment at Washington.
With this Important point established l
began the publication Of notice as requir-
Cd by law, and upon the advice of my at
torney. and in order to prove TO the Board
Of Commissioners the public necessity
for the establishment Of the ferry, cir
culatad petition ii both towns. and ov-
or s0per cent Of the business men prompt
ly slgred it. This evidence Of public ap-
pvovcl was deeply gratifying % me. rs
Ii indicated public support OF tie ferry,
which. as every one well knew. could
only be operated at lossat that time.
and that only after the expenditure Of
considerable money Ia equipment. But
deemed the establishment Of a ferry line
q valuable adjunct to the two towns and
one which would be another step for
ward in the development Of this locality
and the two thriving towns, ara I did
not hesitate at the gloomy financial fea-
ture Of the venture,
on Che day advertised / appeared be-
fore TIE Board of County Commas sieaers
ana MY attorney apd Asr. Leitaels the
attorney for the Commissioners, Went ov-
er the whole matter with the greatest
care, the resolutions as drawn and agreed
upon by the attorneys We're properly pas
sSd hy g unanimous Beard. and / was
given a few months time to geg the ferry
in operation and submit the Ss,00o.a0
bond.
Mr Editor, have complied as nearly
MS possible with the conditions contained
IN HE resolution granttug the franchise.
ara | have done every set in relattoa
thereto required to be done by me. and
intend to maintain the ferry and operste
lit III fun conformity to the demands Of
The pa5lic. and TO resist. both in the civil
ana orirainal courts, every interference
vita or eacroaehweat upon my rights as
granted me hy rho Beard and gGarsn-
tecd by the laws q Florida.
wish to add that / appreciate fully
the patronage ana support Of the public
iwhioh have been givea the ferry lire.
ana 10 further assure the people that
aaegaate equipment win De added from
tin,e Is tissae o NEE; an the necessities Of
traflie between cur sister towns, l en-
tortaia the bvightest hopes for the fu-
s,,re of both towns Sna rapid develop
meat az the surroundings territory
Sincerely.