Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1915-08-12
chehaIis River Bridge.

The collapse Of the West bridge is
a disaster at this time which demands
serious consideration at the hands Of
the city authorities, and in that con
sideration think those upon whom de-
wolves the burden are entitled to the
expressed opinions Of the public. We
are all Of US too prone to sit idly
by" while our selected authorities
make mistakes and then rend the at.
mosphere with our kicks.
Mayor Phillips and the city council
are confronted with an unexpected
emergency. South Aberdeen has
grown largely through the enterprise
Of A. J. West. the pioneer, who built
the bridge, and all who were here, will
remember how glad we were to find
man willing to take chance and
build "toll'' bridge.
But. Aberdeen has outgrown that
period. The toll bridge did much to
build up the manufacturing district
on the south side Of the river, and,
while the toll was met cheerfully
there has been growing demand Of
recent years for a free bridge, de-
mand that none can deny has much
justification. Those industries, with
the accompanying increase in popula-
ton and taxpaying abilities, must now
be reckoned with. Just what Is the
best way to meet this emergency,
am not in position to say. The propo-
sition to buy the West bridge is the
most ready solution II the price ia
right and the financial condition Of
the city is such as to be able to handle
it. II not, then preparations should
be made to build bridge where II
was placed by vote Of the Harbor
District, q few blocks above the West
bridge, at once.
This is written before the meeting
Of the council last night, when I un.
derstand proposition was to be made
to the Grays Harbor Railway & Light
company to assist in the purchase
and rebuilding Of the West bridge.
Having absolutely no information a.
to the probable action Of the company
in this matter, am, nevertheless con.
strained to doubt hope for any -.
sistance from that quarter. This doubt
is founded upon q judgment OF the
business principles controlling that
company. The Federal Traction com
pany, of New York, owns the local
system, and 1t must b said that 80
far that concern has dealt fairly with
the cities OF Grays Harbor, and has
evinced desire to assist in the de.
velopment Of this region. 40 that
meant development Of their invest.
ment.
But--as to assisting in the rebuild.
ing Of the West bridge, it looks to q
man up tree as II the company rath'
er welcomed a disaster that relieved
It Of the necessity Of operating an un.
profitable line. Not long since. 1t was
shown at hearing Of petition Of
the citizens Of COsmopolis before the
public service commission for a lower
rate over this road, that 1t had never
paid operating expenses.
Yet the company did operate the
line until stopped by the breakdown
OF the bridge, despite the absolutely
unfair competition Of the jitneys. Il
is in this jitney business the humble
writer charges the city council with
such unfair treatment of the railway
company as to preclude any hope Of
financial assistance when such assist
ance plainly spells loss to the com
pany.
That the jitney regulations are de-
cidedly unfair to the street railway