The Detroit times., 1917-10-26
MAYOR ASKS
VOTES FOR
NEW BRIDGE
Says Construction VIII
Furnish Work When
Wars Over

Ihat the building or me proposed
Belle Isle bridge would furnish EN-
ployment 10 many returned soldiers
after the war, Is one OF tho argu
ments advanced in support OF the
project by Mayor Marx IN a state
ment issued Friday The mayor
has previously suggested that the
bridge be erected as a memorial 10
the Detroit boys who have gone 10
war, and that their names be placed
on a huge tablet that would be a
permanent part OF the structure.
The mayor now points out that The
bridge would be more than a memo
rial. II would provide many OF the
boys with means OF living
The statement follows.
There - grave danger that Detroit
may be without a bridge 20 Belle Isle
for az least FIVE years because % the
Misrepresentation spread hy oppo-
nents OF the small council and charter
revision plans. coupled with the gem
oral Indifference OF the public, ave
primarily To the war and lts actiNl-
ties
In my judgment. the people Of this
city will make n serious error III they
do not adopt the bridge amendment
al the election. Tuesday, Nov. o !
believe ~ would be = shortFighted ana
penny wise policy 90 do otherW use
and n ~ in the hope OF CONVINCING
the voters to thie effect that | sub
NIT for their consideration the FOL
lowing facts:
In presenting the bridge amend
ment AZ the coming election. the city
simply asks authori zation that IL may
undertake the work when a drop in
tho price OF materials warrants IL.
II the amendment fails TO receive a
three dfths vote, IL viii not carry and
IL cannot be resubmitted FOR two
years II IL estimated that the
awarding % hids and construction
will require an additional three years.
making AZ least FIVE years before a
bridge could be constructed should
the adoption Of the amendment be
postponed
II is not true. as stated that the
bridge Is 20 be huiit by direct taxa
ton. The expense will be mot by a
bond issue running 80 years. In this
manner those who arc 90 receive the
dement's ~ the bridge vii pay their
Just portion OF the investment
Plans for the new bridge have been
prepared under excellent auspices.
Dean Mortimer J., Cooley, 81 the UNI
verslty OF Michigan. is the chairman
of the board and with him rs associ J.
and engineers IN whom tie public has
fun confidence.
Tho present temporary bridge "a
the island is totally inadequate and
could easily be destroyed by IRE or
swept away 10y Ice.
Not only viii the new bridge be an
architectural monument and a credit
90 the city. but IL Will be n wonder
fully Eerviceablc structure. providing
for n separation OF the grades az JET.
ferson and the Boulevard. BY which
the traffic congestion at that point
can be obViated.
IL will also be OF sufficient size %
permit Of running street ears 20 thf
island. II IL not intended. however
that these cars shall run around the
island
Tho price "a stated In the amend
ment Is an outside figure such as
would be required TX the bridge were
constructed at this time. Ia normal
times. the engineer estimate mat the
bridge could be built for 81. 600 00a.
WIN the conclusion ~ the war
many men returning from the camp'
viii he seeking employment Should
authorization be given for the bridge
NOV 8. il would permit us 90 give
work 90 hundreds when we underta "
the construction or the bridge.
When constructed the bridge vii
be made n monument 90 the yOunl
men ~ Detroit who have given thoii
services 20 tho country IN the grea'
war. and d. IL proposed Co place tab
lets on the bridge containing the
names ~ all those who entered The
service from this city.
10 not let the war or the season
OF the year obacure your vision. Con
slider tho facts given above, carefully
before deciding 10 vote against the
bridge amendment
20 not let IN he said that Detroit
which show cd its splendid loyalty q
the nation In tho Red Cross and LIB
erty loan campaigns. rs not also con-
cerned about its own needs.