Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-10-17
Capitol Neus
MAY ASK STATE To
SURVEY FOR BRIDGE
Thought Appropriation can be
Procured in Same Manner as
for Drainage Project

Burleigh and Morton county repre-
sentatiyes in the legislature probably
will be asked by the Bismarck and
Mandan commercial clubs to introduce
this winter a resolution appropriatine
$500 to 1000 to defray the expense Of
preliminary survey OF the Missouri
river bridge site at this point and the
preparation of plans, specifications
and estimates upon which bids fol
the construction of the bridge may be
solicited.
Precedent Justifies.
A precedent justifying such a re
quest upon the part OF the Burleig1
Morton legislative delegations is ar
appropriation OF $500 made by the leg
islatiye assembly Of 1911 for prelim
mary survey Of the then proposed
Mouse river-Devils lake drainage pro
ject. The survey was made by the
state engineer and the project found
impracticable.
Need For a Bridge.
In the present instance, thert is no
question as to the practicability OF a
wagon bridge across the Missouri
connecting Bismarck and Mandan.
The Missouri presents the only gap on
the Red Trail between New York and
Seattle. The ferry service at this
point has been constant source Of
trouble for years, and during the past
season conditions have been practi
cally impossible, in spite of the fact
that the Commercial club expended
time and money in an effort to assure
satisfactory service. even temporarily
Heavy Tourist Travel.
Although much through tourist trav
! ell was detected from the Red Trail
at points east and west of the river by
reports of the lack of adequate ferry
| service, the daily traffic during the
past summer averaged in the neigh
borhood of forty through cars. With
the rapid increase in the number Of
automobiles in commission and the
constantly'groxing popularity Of trans
CONTINENTAL touring, double the above
number Of cars may be depended up
on in 1877. The local traffic is ever
growing Heavier, even with the pres
ent barrier between Burleigh and Nor
ton counties, and the time is fast ap
preaching when ferry service, no mat
ter how good, will not suffice
The Bismarck-Mandan crossing had
been the only one within distance
of fifty miles until very recently
when ferry was established at Price
north Of Mandan. There is only one
permanent bridge across the river
throughout its entire course in North
Dakota---the Northern Pacific struc
ture at Bismarck. Williston recently
installed pontoon bridge, which il
the sole attempt yet made in the state
to furnish facilities for automobile and
wagon traffic.
Many Estimates Received.
The Mandan and Bismarck com
mercial clubs have been agitating q
bridge since last January. Each or
ganization has named strong bridge
committee, and much preliminary
work has been done. To date, how
ever, only very tentative estimates
strictly speaking, guesses-have been
received as to the cost of bridge, the
totals ranging from $4,000 to $3.50,
900. w. l.. Six, contracting engineer
for the Wisconsin Bridge & Iron co
at Kansas City, has just completed ar
inspection of the site and has offered
to prepare preliminary plans and spe
h;/.h h.
based, for $500. Silimalr offers have
been received from Wilbur J. Watson
OF Cleveland, o., and G. A. p. Turner
consulting engineer for the Soil line
at Minneapolis, who looked over the
proposition during the last few months
A Detroit, Mich, engineering concern
has gone so far as to offer to finance
and build the bridge, depending upor
tolls to pay reasonable interest or
the investment and labor.
=. Can Bond to Build.
Under special act of the legisla
ture, Burlcigh and Morton may bono
for not to exceed $15O,00O apiece 10,
the construction of this bridge. Be
cause of the bridges strategic import
ance. and the position i occupies Oh
one OF the principal transcontinenta
trails, It has also been urged that fed
eral, and possibly state, aid should
be forthcoming.
BACK At DESK.
Wellington Ilysh, deputy commits
siOner OF agriculture and labor, is back
at his desk after vacation spent In
looking after land interests in the
southeastern part Of the state, and
with his parents at Wheatland.
CONTRACT LET.
! r. S. Lewis, chairman of the board
Of control. has returned from James
town, where he ofiiciatcd at the award
ing of contract for the erection of q
contagious ward. w. j. Curren Of
Valley City, who Is doing the Other
extensive construction work at James
town, low bidder on the work, which
will cost about $4,000.
FARMERS CAN'T RAISE COWS