The herald., 1921-11-17
Attorney Says Council
Can Appoint Legal
Ferry Commission
,,aiors Citizens Have Final Con-
serence With Commissioner
Murphy and Attorney
Kittridge.

over attended. during this more
than a years work with new
t,r-, system was held on Mon
dow evening at the City Hall in the
office of Commissioner Murphy. The
Citv was represented by City Attor-
NOV Kittredge, and the Algiers dele
rotion by Attorney Arthur McGuirk.
Thu following constituted the COM
r,;ttee from Algiers: julius Boden-
nor Frank c. Duvic. John r. Norman,
peter S. LawtCn and DR.. c. V. Kraft.
Duripg the discussion, OF the vari-
ous nhases of the Canal and Third
nistrict Ferries. Commissioner Muir
rbv went on record as favoring nee.
sssarv and important changes in the
ferry systems. He stated that the
ferries belonged. 10 a certain extent.
N the citizens OF Algiers. and that
the time has come for a big change
in the system. He also stated that
be was ready to use his efforts in Of
flee to help the Algiers people in get
ting this improvement.
Attorney Arthur McGuirk pointed
ont that the Canal Street or other
ferries were merely an extension Of
the streets of the city OF New Or
leans. and that the citizens were
within their rights when they asked
for the Improvements commensurate
with the present growth of the west
side of the river He stated that the
Algiers people could ask the city
= council to name a commission to take
over these ferries TO be operated for
the benefit of the people, who ask no
more from the council than was done
when the Belt Railroad was estab-
lished.
Mr.. McGuirk pointed out that the
belt railroad came into existence by
Ordinance No. 1858. 1t was created
without legislative act, and the banks
of the City of New Orleans loaned
this commission, which was created
by the city council, more than
100000 and at that time the Belt
Railroad had nothing to pledge the
banks as security except the moral
valuation. Mr.. McGuirk went on to
state further that if the banks of the
city could loan the belt railroad,
which was created by councilmanic
act, 100000 without any physical
property as security, there was no
doubt in his mind but that the banks
could loan the City of New Orleans
from $l50,OO0 to 100000 necessary
to buy the present physical property
Of the Canal and Third District Fer.
ries, and receive in security for this
small loan the boats, pontoons, whar-
ves and the pledge of the net reve-
nues which would liquidate this debt
in less than three years.
Mr.. McGuirk also pointed out that
In the creation of the belt railroad
no constitutional authority was asked.
Mr.. McGuirk says that these things
had happened and that the belt rail-
road is such success he cannot see
why the City of New Orleans cannot
accept the suggestion of the Algiers
citizens and take over these ferries
which would pay profit to the city
Of more than $500 a day.
Where there is a will, there is a
way said Mr.. McGuirk to the COM
mittee
----Mr. McGuirk was finally asked by
the Algiers delegation whether or not
the City of New Orleans could legally
borrow the money from the bank
through a commission appointed by
tne council TO operate the ferries, to
which Mr.. McGuirk answered that it
could be done legally.
MR.. KIrTREDGE NOT EVEN LUKE
I WARM.
City Attorney Ivy Kittredge also
read an opinion as to whether or not
'ne City of New Orleans could take
over the ferries. 1t was Mr.. Kit
uidge's opinion that it could be done
oy writing the amount in the budget
Out that bonds could not be issued
'or the purpose of obtaining the
money. He stated that the city would
nave to find the money in the treas
ury for that purpose.
Mr.. Murphy was asked whether or
hot ne would write this amount in the
oodget to which he replied he would
not.
Ar. kittredge did not receive Mr..
ncGuirks suggestion very cordially.
N iact, the Algiers people may con-
saer that the City Attorney is abso-
.a'ey opposed to our plan for the
iact that his opinion is that only by
"riling the amount in the budget
"aid The city take over the ferries.
oP TO THE FOUR BANKS IN
ALGI7ERS.
Inc Algiers ferry committee has
nhaily drawn up a resolution which
aey viii present to the banks, asking
Aae each Of them put up their prop
sS'uon to finance the city in taking
s'er these ferries. which will mean
~ much to the future of this side of
the river.
Inc proposition of the ferry COM
cnuee which follows was read to
commissioner Murphy. who agreed