Smyrna times., 1935-04-11
MARYLAND is
FOR BAY BRIDGE
Both Houses of Legislature
Approve Building a Span
For Traffic
ROUTE TO BALTIMORE

With both houses of the Mary
land General Assembly having
passed, with overwhelming major
tiles, practically identical meas
ures which provide for the creation
of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Au-
thority, enthusiasm runs very high
among the supporters of the Ches-
peake Bay span, that elusive pro-
ject which at last seems to be
coming into reality. Early last
week the House of Delegates pass
ed their bill to create the Chesa-
peake Bay Bridge Authority, sent
the measure up to the Senate
where it now rests on the third
reading file, awaiting passage. The
Maryland Senate put through its
measure and sent it to the House
of Delegates to be approved. In
tervieWs with prominent members
of both Houses of the Assembly
revealed the information that there
is practically no question of the
ultimate APPROVAL, final passage of
a measure, which will be submitted
to Governor Nice Immediately for
his signature. Observers in An
napolis also stated that there is
assurance that the Governor will
sign the measure presented. Sen
ator Arthur H. Brice stated that
he had conferred with George L.
Radcliffe, United States Senator, IN
Washington on Friday, and was
given the assurance that Federal
funds for the construction of the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge under the
bill which has been passed in both
the House of Delegates and the
Maryland Senate would be avail
signed by Governor Nice. Senator
Brice said that there is no question
or doubt as to the Governor af-
fixing his signature to the mea-
sure. In substance, briefly told,
both of the bills are identical, and
they prepare the way for the con
struction of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge, from point near Toll
chester to Miller's Island on the
Western Shore, as follows: A
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Authority
is to be created which will be en-
powered to purchase the Claiborne
Annapolis Ferry at a cost not to ex-
ceed S1,2OO,OOO; and at a cheaper
figure if it is found that yearly in
come from its operation will not
produce enough revenue to absorb
this cost. The money to make
purchase to be raised by the issu-
ing of three per cent bonds, to be
secured by the ferry tolls-or if
these are not sufficient, excess tolls
from the bridge will be used. A
sum of S9,3OO,OOO is to be secured
from the Work-Relief funds (Which
bill is now before Congress and the
assurance has been given that,
with its passage, funds will be
available for the bay BRIDGE for
the building of the Chesapeake Bay
Bridge. This amour. Will be Civ
en- for the construction of the
bridge with toll revenue from the
use of the structure as the sole
item of collateral. These tolls will
all be used to retire the amount
advanced by the federal govern
ment. This bay bridge bill which
carries the hopes of its Supporters
for the final fulfillment of their de-
sires for the construction of span
across the Chesapeake, was intro
duced originally by Kents Sena-
tor, Arthur H. Brice and it has the
backing of the original Chesapeake
Bay Bridge Company and author
ity and the potent Association of
Commerce in Baltimore City The
bill passed by a margin of 26 to 2,
with the more strenuous oposition
coming from the Caroline county
delegation. That group has also
offered the greatest opposition in
the House of Delegates. Kent
News, Chestertown.
GRANn STAFF or NIASnNS