The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-05-12
TAXPAYERS MEET
AND DISCUSS new
LAKESH0RE HIGHWAY
Majority Approve Action of City
Council in Selecting Second
Street Plan.
RAILWAY AND CITY
AUTHORITIES PRESENT
Pointed Out That New Route is Not
Very Expensive; Difference in
Cost Of $500.

Thirty taxpayers of Bemidji, in
Guiding prominent business men, met
at the Commercial club rooms last
evening and and discussed the build
ing of a bridge over the inlet Of the
Mississippi and a new highway TO
Nymore. A majority of the men
present approved the action taken by
the city council at it's last meeting
and agreed to support the council in
it's decision.
Railway to Fight.
The council, after much delibera-
tion and consideration, at it's last
meeting requested the city attorney
to draw up resolution for the con-
struction Of new highway from
Nymore on the lake shore to Second
street. Minnesota & International
railway officials state that they will
not permit the opening of Second
street and that they will fight the
project in courts.
Much Talk.
There has been much street corner
talk in regard to the project and
the meeting last evening was called
so that citizens could express their
views. E. H. Denu, president of the
Commercial club, presided at the
meeting.
Considered for Years.
Tom Swinson, city engineer, told
the meeting of the various projects.
He stated that the matter had been
considered for many years and that
no action had been taken. The rail-
way company submitted several pro-
positions, but all, according to Mr..
Swinson, had some strings attached
to them. He pointed out that the
city was supposed to 40 feet at the
present railway crossing on Bemidji
avenue but that they only had 30
ItcJ, IIC UcAdACC u0Ou ~ tAO
railway company.
5000 Difference.
Mr.. SwinsOn quoted estimates
showing that the repairing Of the
present crossing would cost $4,000
less than the construction of lake
shore highway, but that on the lake
shore highway $4,000 would be as
sessable to the railway company and
it would cost the city $1,000 to move
the steel towers if the present cross
ing was to be improved. The differ
ence, with these exceptions, between
the two projects would only be 5000.
Should Open Second.
F. S. Lycan, president of the city
council stated that he did not know
why Second street should be closed.
Second street should be opened
whether the Nymore highway is con-
structed on that route or not. Per-
haps some day the city would want
to construct pier there. The only
street going to the lake now is
Third street," said Mr.. Lycan.
O. J. Laqua stated that the present
bridge and crossing were disgraceful.
He spoke in favor of the Second
street route.
Offers Compromise.
C. M. Bacon advocated construct
ing the road on the lake shore but
instead of going to Second street to
run a. street at the end of the present
railway tracks between Second and
Third streets.
N. L. Hakkerup spoke in favor Of
Mr. Bacon's plan as compromise
with the railway company.
"The matter was up to the council
and settled by them at the last
meeting" said George T. Baker. II
think that the council knows its
business. 1 favor the Second street
route"
Walker Gives Talk.
G.. A. Walker, Of the Minnesota &
International railway, speaking as
taxpayer, stated that he believed that
the present crossing could be made
safe.
"If the city owns 40 feet at the
present crossing as claimed by the
city engineer" said Mr.. Walker, 81
believe that the city should claim 1t
I am sure that the M. & /. does not
want property that does not ght
fully belong to them. am also sure
that the M. & I. is ready to cooper
ate with the city in making the pres
ent crossing adequate. The M. & l
will fight the opening of Second
street., however, as it cuts the yards
in two" .-
Favors Second Street.
Alderman J. P. Lahr stated that HI
favored the Second street route.
w. z. Robinson stated that he dit
not believe that Second street shoul'
be closed.
A. B. Palmer spoke against tn