The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-10-17
COURTTHREATS
HALT BIG WORK
Federal Aid For River Bridge
Jeopardised By
Controversy

That frank threats to take the pro-
posed construction of bridge across
the Snake river at Pickle Butte into
the courts by 'coterie of persons who
favor the Froman Ferry site leopard
ICES the funds made available for the
structure by the federal government
is the assertion of William J. Hall
state commissioner of public works.
Bids have been asked twice and both
times contractors refused to bid on the
of the Froman Ferry site adherents to
ask for restraining order. Bids were
first called for October 8. At that
meeting, eight contractors were pres
emit. One written bid was submitted
but not opened, The work was re-
advertised and bids called for October
IS. No report has been given of the
results of that call but it is assumed
that the same conditions prevailed.
Future Uncertain.
What the next step in the contro-
versy will be is conjectural only.
More than 200 people who can more
capably be served by a bridge at Fro
man Ferry, according to c. T. How
ard, are unalterably opposed to the
Pickle Butte site and will not permit
construction there without first taking
the matter into the courts. Mr.. How
ard stated Wednesday that consider
able sum of money was available to
make the fight. Organized publicity
is being conducted in favor of the
Froman site by these men who are
stating their position through adver-
Using in the various newspapers.
The controversy is by no means a
new one. For years the disgruntled
faction has been fighting for a bridge
at Fron1an Ferry and presumed when
the state legislature approved a plan
for five Snake river bridges, that one
of them would be located at the site
designated in the statute. Exact terms
. of the statute covering the construc-
ton assert that the bridge shall be
constructed "at or near Froman
Ferry" 1t is the contention of the
persons who are combating the Pickle
Butte site that this does not come
within the meaning of the statute and
that funds appropriated for bridge
cannot be legally used in the construc-
ton of a bridge at Pickle Butte which
is several miles removed from the
statutory site.
State Officials Arbitrate.
1t is upon this ground that the fight
will be made. Last summer when the
matter reached such critical stage as
to necessitate some sort of arbitration
measures, state officials were called
upon to settle the dispute. In accord
ance, general mass meeting was
called and large body of men met Oil
the river to go over the sites and give
each due consideration.
Of the group which assembled, only
about IA represented the Froman site.
1t is charged by advocates of this site
that these representatives were not
given fair hearing but that they were
hooted down by superior numbers
when they endeavored to present their
case. At any rate, it was clearly the
position of the crowd that it strongly
favored the Pickle Butte site. 1t was
upon the basis of the popular opinion
that Mr.. Hall, who had been selected
as the arbitrator in the controversy,
determined upon the Pickle Butte site
Popular opinion strongly favors the
immediate construction of the bridge
somewhere. 1t is generally conceded
that the bridge is essential and that
not too great delay should halt the
construction, wherever it is to be built.