The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1931-07-02
TOLL TAKER
LOSES JOB AT
RIVER SPAN
bridge Free tol Travel as
State Pays 100000 for
Deed and Bill of Sale to
Structure
TWO COUNTIES LOSE
$4,000 TAX RECEIPTS
$40 600 Cars Crossed Bridge Last
Year; Will Renew Tourist
Travel


Giving officers of the Northwes
Toll Bridge Co. a check for 5000,
600. the state of Washington a
los o'clock. this afternoon in tn
BENTON county courthouse in Pros
ser purchased the Kennewick
Pasco bridge. The span, which
crosses the Columbia river be
tween Benton and Franklin coun
ties. at midnight becomes a free
bridge after nearly 10 years il
which toll was charged, says {
story in the Yakima Morning Her.
aid.
Samuel j. Humes, state director
Of highways, 7. G. McCory, Mr.
Humes' chief assistant, Homer
Jones, assistant state treasurer
and E. W. Anderson, assistant at
torney general composed the state
delegation which completed the
purchase of the bridge. w. F.
Grove, president, and N. A. Davis,
treasurer, represented the North
west Toll Bridge Co in the final
transaction. Hume's SON, Samuel
]. Humes, jr., IL, accompanied the
state delegation.
Deed Filed in Prosser
The deed, bill of sale and as
segment, which transferred the
1Span to the state, were filed in the
enton county auditors office.
Only few minutes before the
sale, the private company dele
gates paid the Benton county
treasurer $7267.5O for taxes in
1880 and 1881.
Prior to the transaction in Pros
ser, the company officials had OBJ
tanned papers and documents for
the sale in Franklin county on
which part of the bridge stands.
Both state and company officials
were expecting residents in the
two towns to hold celebration
and took steps to guard against
any riot or extreme enthusiasm.
The Northwest Toll Bridge Co Of
meals thought that the toll house
On the bridge might be destroyed
BY fire in the merriment which
followed the removal of the toll.
Celebration Planned
The celebration in connection
with the removal of the toll will be
neld in Kennewick July 4. Gov. |
Roland b. Hartley and Humes will |
deliver !. the main addresses and Of
neatly open the span to free ira
vel.
Inc bridge was first opened to
navel ! October %, 1922, after it had
:. ueen under construction for more
man q year. During the year in
.nlca the bridge was under con-
~ ssaue1lon, 10000 automobiles used
sae ferry to cross the river. Grove
sad. Last year 100000 cars cross
50 the bridge he said.
i
Travel Increases
irayel has increased steadily ov.
q = the. bridge in recent wears. Mr..
S.oWe said and the daily receipts
Taw punted to from $500 to $3.50.
s spl.s :. collected last year totaled
a ao' the president explained.
M. removal of the toll will bring
, NSsa travel to the valley that
Enlse would take other routes.v
s, s.ues said. at will also cause
Of Ae travel among the persons
uoos e Yakima valley and in Sec
:, nus - on the other side of the riy-
~ many persons from this side
,s,s as :. river " will take pleasure
70 Pasco and Walla Walla
, a. many persons from the other
,sll.n VIII take pleasure trips to the
D., Counties Lose Taxes
b,; tunes said that the Brewster
H. &C., IN okanogan county was
stats 'd y! other toll bridge on the
' Ne. highway system. -
Srds. large steel and concrete
sod 5. which connects Kennewick
D., rasco, was constructed at
hss.tssfs $685., 22s.so, Grove said.
b H. lrlng the title of the bridge
.auns s state will result in $4,000 in
PAW -. axes from the bridge COM
loui, Delng lost to Benton county.
aid ! + !. Kelly, deputy treasurer'
. Fsans,.l iiar amount will be lost
un county, Kelly thought.