The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1942-02-20
Highway Department

fAMI&4A4EM ATNIH t8&U 08z
dent Of the Beard Of Supervisors
Attorneys for the Highway Com
mission maintained that until \ few
weeks Apo no one knew that the
State Highway Department had
c1snplste jurisdiction over the
bridge and that he felt sure that
neither did jackson County know
that II did MOI have Jurisdiction
70 operate and maintain eie bridge
The highway attorneys argued
that the tolls constituted a nuisance
and q hindrance.~ and referred 70.
the alleged refusal Of the County
Beard 20 turn the toll span over 20
the state. ard maintained tiaat the
highway department had no funds
with which 20 pay for this bridge
or any other connty-built bridge.
Mr.. Wright argued that the rea-
son the state was seeking 10 obtain
8 temporary injunction waa 70 pave
the way for an early Supreme Court
decision before adjournment 81 the
Mississippi Legislature. He said If
q temporary injunction was granted,
the stats was willing 10 waive q
five-day notice. take the cnse before
tire chancellor. and after the cham
cellor'S ruling the CASE could be
presented before the high court
Cites Governors stand
The Board OF Supervisors Gays
that II the tolls are stepped. II
viii place the county Ia an q
bafraasing position relative to its
outstanding bonds Mr. Wright said
IF the Supreme Court should niie
Ire state has complete jurisdiction.
then they would be in position 20 get
some relief While the Legislature
is u session.
The assistant attorney general
said that Governor Paul b. johnson.
who has led the fight 10 make the
bridge free % the public. has assert
ed that he would veto any hlH that
would authorize the county TO coli
lect tribute from traveller Tor SIX
months more Ia order 70 siralght-
en- out county finances.
Mr. Holmes maintained that the
county could collect more than
100000 in tolls between non and
June He said the bridge ard the
toll bridge area Involving SPOUT
three miles cost $3.50 900. but the
board had collected. 3 lot more than
$4,000 since il has been operating
the bridge.
hi. Wright earlier said tie board
had collected s161n00a fa~eeufdlne
to the state auditors Officer 4sox
motorists since the toll suan be-
San operating.
Mf. GaufieT told Judge Barbour
II an injunction were granted ~
hs time and the tolls were lifted
i Nouid result Ia the ounty de-
faultfng il the payment o1 bends
r. the SUI O sos E959 during the
current year. He sid the malnfe-
Itself would Be threatened N fhe
nance sof highways IN the county
amount Of $1,000 aiIocate6 To- these
purposes
James Ford declared that r judge
Barbour should grant The injunction
great publicity % his action would
immediately result.
sags Al Wsuis Protest.
Every man that would drive or
TIE bridge would protest causing
perhaps . 1-minute delay. il some
Instances. III Ford said. IL would
Utterly cemaralize lEle Whole sisu-
auon ard you'd mean disaster for
Jackson County
AF. Pore ted TIE suflu tEat fhnl
Highway Department FlAs 2xtxEax g
sppAbe ne toll bridges vnlae He
led mat under tie sEanseH ~ ne
counties NeEe emitted 70 mTnenf
f0T roads and BRIGGS bullE b ule
cenaties - subsequently, taken
Ger - ne Highway DeAr1ment
He sid Jackson County waan suf-
fef rreprabie los - an inaaneiips
action
Later Judge Barhour nafds
! am neiIne6 = belkze Ehaf
ne State Highway Depaftmenf he's
authority 70 take over exclusive ~
safEtl0n. Ii when : So tne ct ull
Izzz giving counties relsI - col
Ee2 tolls aHS tne - - is eEalee
y Gr Fua9 - IA + - II
makes ne Eeei 1T ! should not
rant an uI4urtieH am noz zninz
70 grant an M~nEzEun ~ Leg
asure las ne n e ear -
uzIs fo8 = there has len .
az1xag dons y Fssx 7 en1 b.
lEee anY serious Consequences VII
EzHzzIf - + feN mae mora
Attorneys and aeEaat11z auzhaA
marked turing ne zae-holH Heafine
Nzzen Judge Barbour faceEAa8x re
ssea1 Ms pazlfiQz = being ake1 =
hzae 20 nlancls1H after ne sa-
usme cert lurza I'D = - %
- east
Jadse HaFboE azafsa - mal