The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1921-11-03


commission before the May meeting.
/ was not present when the site Cor
bridge was selected; neither was l
present when the contract for build
irg the bridge was closed. 1 am in
formed that vote to locate the
bridge was unanimous, including ev-
cry vote from Marion county Bids
were asked at this meeting. A few
days later another meeting was held
ard several bids opened for the con-
struction of the main bridge across
th, channel. At this meeting bid
= 'GS duly accepted for about S96,-
p 80 from Hyde and Baxter, Wash
spS D. G. and Marion unanimous
Carop to accept the bid. Further.
Is commissioners were put on
\ t!mittee TO secure right away
-kz>Coss the swamp from Mrs. Gibson.
Chairman Cottingham called the next
meeting of the commission expecting
to close the matter by having each
county put up the money pledged.
At this meeting it was charged that
the real engineers had not located the
bridge; but that Boys" sent out by
the Department had performed all
work done. That in place of costing
four hundred thousand dollars to-
build the bridge it would cost $740,-
10000. 1t was claimed that Mr.. John
son had plans and specifications to-
build a bridge and road of like quail
ity at Mars Bluff Ferry at a cost of
about 100000; and that as a.
matter of cost it was desired to have
engineers make a new survey nearer
Mars Bluff Ferry. The claim as to-
Government estimated cost was made
Notwithstanding a construction COM
pany rated at nearly one million dol
lars was willing TO close a contract.
protected by a good and sufficient
bond that they would complete the
l 'oject at slightly less than four hun
ed thousand. The bridge engineers
wished TO make a report and submit
blue prints but the commission re-
fused to hear their report unless Mr..
j. NJ. Johnson be allowed to report
on mis- findings. 1t was stated that the
engineering cost of the bridge project
above the a. G. L. r. r. had cost
more than S1500.00. Also, that the
cost of making surveys near Mars
Bluff Ferry might cost almost as
much and that this cost plus any
d0mages charged by Hyde and Baxter
Construction Company by having
broken their contract, would have 10
come out of Marinn and Florence
Counties. Mr.. Hughes replied he did
not care what the cost of the surveys;
II at as chairman of the ways and
IN ms committee of the Legislature.
Herwould have the Governor pay all
such costs out CT his contingent
fund.
This Government has adopted a
policy to build roads and bridges just
as definite as 10 build post offices
and to improve rivers and harbors. If
we should build high water cross
ing over the Pee Dee there is nc reas
enable doubt that we would get Gov
eminent aid to build and keep up
hard surfaced roads approaching this
bridge. There is now building a gov
ernment aid bridge across the San
tee River. A bridge is sure to be built
across the Savannah river at no great
distance from the city of Savannah.
Ori Pee Dee bridge and hard road
approaching would simply be a link
in great national highway. 1t
would seem that Marion and Florence
CCuHIleS are Willing 10 pay from
twenty to forty thousand dollars more
for low water crossing in order to
collect some tolls. rather than have
better bridge that can be crossed
at all times free from tolls. Do they
prefer to lose two hundred thousand
dollars freely offered by the Govern
ment? Do they so much prefer a toll
bridge that they are willing TO so an
t&gonize the bureau of public roads,
that we can never hope for hard sur
face roads approaching the briGge?
Do they think the National Govern
ment or any surrounding counties will
help build hard roads just to improve
their toll receipts?
A few very sore and jealous old
county people. mostly confined to the
<,.town Of Marion. have tried to be
cloud the bridge situation on the
&rounds of economy. They hope to-
get some advantages over Dillon
county by changing the location Of
the bridge. Under the present plan
Florence will get off of any national
highway. and in so doing will lose the
good will of our national road and
bridge engineers. cannot believe
that the people of Florence county will
let fully fifteen thousand dollars of
good money be spent in addition to
the eighty Thousand dollars now pro-
vided for. in order to give a slap at