Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-09
WAR
WINTER PROSPECT
u. S. Bureau Charges Fran
chiSe Grabbing-Private
Owners See Injustice.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
There's every sign Of merry war
in Washington next Winter between
the Department of Agricultural Blu
reau of Public Roads and the Ma
tional Association Of Highway Bridges.
The association was brought into exist
ence at st. Louis last January for the
specific purpose, it says, Of protecting
itself against the bureaus policies.
These are officially described as de-
fensive measures against franchise
grabbers."
Eli T. Watson, president Of the New
Orleans Pontchartrain Bridge Co,
chief promoter Of the association,
declares that Secretary Jardine's pub
lie road officials have been doing
everything in their power, not only
to prevent any further building
of toll bridges, but, if possible. also
to iniure and destroy existing toll
1-r,7gro-" r. Illustrate this "Ve~V 7r-
bitrary and inimical position" toward
toll bridges, their proprietors through
out the country joined Mr.. Watson IN
orpa nizing for common benefit ana
advantage" -
II was recently announced by Jud-
son King, director OF the Nauohdi
Ponular Government League at WASH
ington, that legislation would be IN
PRODUCED in the next Congress TO place
the control of toll bridges under the
Federal authorities. Mr.. watson
speaking for the National Assoclatlon
Of Highway Bridges, states that II
will not undertake to oppose any law
FIJI and reasonable laws that might
iv,Fn
coming session, but undoubtedly 1t
will. bv every means within its power.
combat anv unreasonable and destruc-
five legislation affecting toll bridges.
We believe that the toll bridge COM
NAMES of the United States have a
right to organize and should organize,
b1It we are not in existence primarily
for the purpose Of combating any
and all legislation affecting toll
bridges"
Attack on Bureau.
When the toll bridge people were
forming their association last WINTER
former Gov. J. Y. Sanders of Lou1-
siana. one Of the leaders in the organi-
zation. attacked the Bureau of Public
Roads in hammer-andtongs language.
He alleged that congressional senu-
ment about toll bridges runs absolu-
te1v counter" to the policies of the
bureau. UNLESS some one takes
charge of that situation in Washing
ton" declared Mr.. Sanders, the bu-
reau is going to override Congress,
as bureaus very frequently override
the representatives of the people.
While the bureau is taking position
antagonistic to toll bridges, Con
gress is passing toll bridge bills
practically every month. Toll bridges
are going to supply q necessity lor
the American people through private
enterprise, which the Nation VIII not
and the States and counties cannot.
The Bureau Of Public Roads
has the finest lot of theoretical peo-
ple in the world and the worst prac-
ticaI lot of people there is on earth"
Thomas II. Macdonald, chief OF the
Bureau of Public Roads, in special
statement prepared for this writer,
fights back in vigorous terms. Thls Is
his reply to the sings and arrows OF
the toll bridge spokesman:
"Phis bureau is not worried because
Of the antagonistic viewpoint OF fran
chise grabbers. Private toll bridges, at
strategic points on main-traveled
roads are more valuable as revenue
producers than water power sites.
Why shouldn't financial interests VINO
are attempting to gobble up these sites
criticize the bureau because of its
theoretical attitude? The bureau adj
mits the charge. What is good theory
for the public prOdUTcs a.had practical
situation for the franchise Grabber.
= More Economical Building.
'"The state Highway Departments
and the Bureau of Public Roads can
build bridges ut one-half TO two-thtrds
~ .tc cost of :i;o zane bi,'Sc9 1un:
by private toll companies. The designs
are likely to he much better and more
conservative, and construction work
more rigidly inspected. The very fact
that the overhead charges are so much
less makes it possible 10 put larger
sum into the construction itself.
There is no place on the public
road system for privately owned toll
bridges. since Congress has provided
that the States may build bridges on
the Federal highway systems with
local funds and Federal aid, and retire
the contributions from the local
sources by the collection of tolls, after
which the bridge becomes free.
THE Bureau of Public Roads is not
mincug words in stating its antag-
onistic attitude to toll bridges built
under private franchise, and this is
the view that will prevail. The public
is spending at the rate of 81 600 900, 600
per year to improve highways. All of
these highways contribute traffic to
the bridges At stream crossings. There
fore, the Investment of relatively
small amount of money in a private
>oll gate bridge capitaliZcs for the cor
ooratinn holding the franchise not
only the work in the immediate vicin-
ity, but on transcOntinental roads the
investment which has been made by
many States in the Improvement of
their highways.
The bureau believes this is both
bad heory and bad practice for the
public and IS not concerned with what
any private interest thinks about it's
position"
The two greatest bridges in the
United Statcs-Bear Mountain Bridge
over the Hudson ana the PhiladClpiha-
Camden Bridge over the Delaware
are toll bridges. but happen not to he
in the class of bridges which are under
lire. In both cases tolls are held TO he
reasonable and definite provisions OK
lSt for their regulation under official
authority. The Bear Mountain Bridge
was built under Il franchise making
New York State the propcrty's event
UaI owner under Il re-capture clause
Tho Delaware River bridge is to re-
main toll bridge only for the dozen
years or so required to reimburse
Pennsylvania and New Jersey for it's
construction For tho vp1r ended Iulv