The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-09-30

" year or SO from now pom
NJ n toon bridge between Yon-
Va kers and Alpine, roadway
IN n for automobiles and foot
NYSI way for pedestrians strung
across forty or fifty large
ships for nearly a mile, is apt to be
the latest new thing of the nation. 1t
will be new thing only in the United
States. For the pontoon bridge Is
centuries old and is in common use |
now in Europe.
This pontoon bridge across the Hud-
son is proposed for these reasons: 1t Is
badly needed to relieve congestion; 1t
is entirely feasible; it can be built IN
year; it will cost only $2,OOO,OOo;
ships that can serve as pontoons are
already in existence.
There is no question as to the need
Of the bridge. The automobile con-
gestion is notorious; the New York
ferries are inadequate to handle the
traffic. One of the great sufferers Is
the Palisades Interstate park. So 1t
is natural that the first suggestion OF
the pontOon bridge came from Maj.
w. A. Welch, engineer Of the park
commission.
This Palisades Interstate park 1t
should be noted, is one of the great
public Fairgrounds of the United
States. The original park was estab-
lished by New York and New Jersey
to save the Palisades of the Hudson
from quarrymen who were blasting
them for stone. Curiously enough 1t
was the federated club women OF the
two states who succeeded in getting
the park established. AfNr all efforts
by men had failed they induced the
legislatures Of the two states to take
the necessary action and to make ap-
, preparations. The park was opened IN
:, 1909. Mrs. E. III. Hartman extended
: the area to 10000 acres in 1910 by
!, gift of land. That year there, were
:. a few thousand visitors, many Of then
: campers. The possibilities OF the pari
:, were seen. Since then everything tina
: money and good management can az
:, has been done for this park. More
than SS,oOO,OOO have been expended OF
. it, OF this large sum 90 per cent ha
= come from gifts by public-spirited citi
zens. 1t now contains about o0OU
: acres, with improvements to I'LL ever,
need. The bulk Of the attendance
comes from New York city. Children
- are sent by thousands on river boats
- Boy scouts, Camp Fire girls and hun
=, dreds of organizations camp there
!, Thousands drive there. There are res
:. taurants for every purse; facilities TO
-, every kind Of recreation. The aggr'
:, gate Of the summers attendance
no enormous.
- Moreover, this park enjoys the pt
- sition of an object lesson OF efficienc
-. In public Fairgrounds. A capable eng
y. neer with q free hand has secured h,
- moneys worth in the Improvement
: The management Is pointed out as
on model. The management Is vested
da permanent commission of five men
~ bers from each state. They serN
.aa without pay and the post Is one
honor. The late George w. Perkln
''or who was for many years leadir
,.h spirit of the commission, once sa
nod tnut Tie UiSscSt tnluS thC SoiuiAAoSi'
10 had accomplished was to keep politi
nca out Of the park.
,cb AS to the ships that can serve
pontoons, they're ready. AS everyol
the knows, the shipping board slight
w. overplayed Its hand In the matter
y building wooden ships during I
ono World war. There were OIL Of the
rod wooden ships constructed. Only
in, have been sold. It has been cost
With the government $4,000 month
DAD take care Of the other 275. The
ink ships cost on an average 5000
relv each. For q time 1t seemed impossil
Irht to sell them at any price. indie
ont. Representative Wood Of Indiana
evi. Gently said on the floor Of the house
use 1--WE have 275 Of these wooden v
,,sa sells down here In the mouth Of {
,sed james river, tied up In units Of sc,
with each, with 40 men to the unit, each
de. them receiving 500 month and
ome keep, costing the government $50,
hree month. or 100000 year, for
mar Of boats that are not worth slnki