The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-11-28
BRIDGE OR FERRY MUST BE
PROVIDED TO SECURE HIGHWAY

Camp Walton, Fla, Nov. Gath.
Editor Pensacola journal.
So far as know yon started the
ball to- rolling about a public two
county ferry for Eseambia and Santa
Rosa counties, this in part at least
for the benefit of the Old Spanish
Trail highway.
1t seems to me that there can be
no question but that these two coun-
ties must almost or quite unanimous
ly want this highway to pass through
them and through their county seats.
1t would be unreasonable to ask for
this highway unless the two counties
will provide either for a bridge
across the Escambia river, on the
nearest practicable route, which is the.
Ferry Pass route. or d good reliable
ferry that may be depended on for
the accommodation Of traffic. If
ferry, then on the best route for such
road, which certainly is down Carson
Point peninsula.
These counties mus provide for
one or the other before they can rca-
sonably ask for the highway, and
the decision for which should be made
! .-ery soon. think you should keep
the matter stirred up until some
method is found for making the de-
cision.
believe a reliable estimate was
made not long ago of the cost of a
bridge. It would be in order to have
an estimate made for the cost of the
ferry, equipped and ready for opera
ton. This Of course would be greatly
less than the cost of the bridge. The
bridge would have to employ a ten
der for the draw, or more If more
than one draw was required, while
the ferry could be operated by two
men.
The traffic itself would probably
pay the cost of operating the ferry
through tolls, thus making it cheaper
for tire counties, but tolls are not at
tall popular with the travelling public,
therefore bridge would be better.
/ am not now resident of either
county concerned, but am quite a
heavy taxpayer in both, and notwith-
standing that / should greatly favor
the bridge at Ferry Pass, but if the
two counties will not get busy and
build the bridge. by all means they
should get busy and build, equip and
start the ferry.
| hope you will keep behind the
matter until the people are stirred
lup to action.
4 If we lose the routing of the pro-
posed Spanish Trail highway we lose
what would be of more value to us
than the cost of ten such bridges. /
q hope you will invite the entire press
Of these two and other counties col
laterally interested to cooperate with
you in stirring this matter, and of
1.-THE entire citizenship of West Flor
ida to do likewise.
4 In working on this matter (if .
ferry seems the most feasible solu-
tion) you should advocate careful
examination of the various possible
locations for the ferry. The location
that will best serve the interests Of
the road as . through highway
: should, of course, be the one selected
The route should not be swerved tt
suit the interests of any individual
Tor any hamlet or settlement. / fee
sure that the Carson Point rout4
would be best, although cannot 81,
exactly where either terminal of tn,
: ferry might best be located.
In time, and not 50 very long il
: the future, there viii be abundant Us,
: for Carson Point ferry, even SHOULD
the bridge become . fact accom-
; plished
G. w. S0ULE.