The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1921-03-24
sIIIEMENT ON FERRIAGE concerning ALGIERS
Addressed to All Citizens of Algiers

passageways in order to bring about
greater facility and comfort to the
patrons, and also to minimize the exist
ing dangers at this point.
The main object of this article is to
remind the citizens of Algiers of their
future possibilities anent the operation
of the ferries, and not to comment on
the dead past, but deem 1t necessary
to touch on the activities of the com.
mittee as above to let them know that
something is being done in their in.
terest, and to solicit their further
support.
On March End, 1921, the Citizens
Committee held its first meeting under
appointment through the Chairman,
Mr.. P. S. Lawton, by authority of the
resolution adopted at the Mass Meeting
of Citizens held February 14th, 1921.
At the said meeting, every angle of
the ferry situation was touched upon,
and the Committee went on record as
favoring municipal ownership and
operation of the ferries, and the loca-
tion of an additional ferry at Opelous.
as Ave-, without impairing the present
service. Since this meeting, resolu-
tiOn has been offered in the Constitu-
tional Convention, now in session at
Baton Rouge authorizing cities of over
a certain population to own and operate
all of Of its public utilities, and pro-
viding a civil service therefore in order
to eliminate political abuses. The bill
also carries authority for the necessary
bond issue, and will be closely studied
by your committee, some of whom will
attend the Committee hearing on the
bill at Baton Rouge, if necessary.
Sifted down, municipal ownership is
the only relief to be sought if Algiers
is to grow as she certainly should
grow.
Thirty-five years ago when the popu-
lation of Algiers was but eight thous-
and, we had four ferries landing on
this side of the river including the
Richards Street ferry,-a double SER
vice at Canal Street. The Third Dis
trict Service cannot be considered.
Algiers has fourteen miles of river
front offering unlimited factory posi-
bilities on the vast unoccupied area
behind this water front. If our
natural situation and conditions were
taken advantage of, it would only be
question of short time when the
town would develope into a real city.
The crux Of the whole situation is
your ferry service.
If at the expiration of the present
franchise the Committees efforts
amount to naught, and the service is
to continue under a franchise grant, |
you are doomed to another fifteen years
of stagnation so far as the future de- |
velopment of Algiers is concerned. |
Some may argue against Municipal |
Ownership in favor of private owner.
ship, but If private ownership should |
prevail, it is probable you would get !
an improved service at an increased |
cost, because
1. The sale of the franchise would |
bring on spirited competition among
the bidders, and the franchise would |
be given the highest bidder.
2. Fifteen years ago, the population
Of Algiers was about half of what it. is |
now, and at that time the franchise
brought s225 100000 and certainly |
ought to bring much more at letting
next December.
3. In addition to the price bid for |
the franchise, the successful bidder
must pay for the existing boats,
wharves. ferry houses, pontoons and
etc., and in addition at his own ex.
penses, make the necessary alterations
or additions to meet the improved con-
ditions.
4. After the above costs have been
ascertained, the successful bidder must
add his operating expenses, taxes,
licenses, government, state and city,
allow for repairs and upkeep, general
depreciation and overhead, and after