Passing the Hat for a Ferry—and a 100-Worker Mill

Friday evening at the City Hall the ferry project was again discussed. There was a large number of business men and interested citizens present to hear the report of the committee appointed at the first meeting.

The committee consisted of J. C. Jacobson, G. W. Sutherland and E. H. C. McCurdy. Messrs. Sutherland and McCurdy were unable to be present, having been called out of town. However, Mr. Jacobson was able to report progress. He read a letter from the I. W. N. railroad to the effect that they would be willing to grant right of way across their property and a ferry landing under certain conditions, which they had no doubt could be arranged. The estimated cost of the ferry, as reported by the committee, was as follows: ferry boat and cable, $1000; towers, $300; approaches, $1000; a total of $2300. The ferry boat figured on is to be 20 by 56 feet by 2 feet deep.

Mr. Jacobson also said that the commissioners of Bonner county had been seen by Mr. McCurdy, and they had expressed their willingness to take over and operate a free ferry upon its completion.

The report of the committee was very satisfactory to those present, and a motion was carried that a permanent organization be perfected for the purpose of carrying out the project. F. C. Krause was elected president and Fred L. Wolf, secretary. A motion to provide a committee for the raising of funds resulted in the naming of Walter Rogers, W. C. Adam and R. T. Ankerson, with Mr. Krause to act as chairman of the committee.

It was the unanimous sentiment of those present that the ferry should be built at once, and the committee was urged to take immediate steps toward raising the necessary funds. A meeting of the committee was held Wednesday evening to devise plans for raising the money, and an active canvass of the business men and property owners of the city will be started at once. It is a matter of vital interest, not alone to business men, but to all property owners and citizens, who will be benefited by the prosperity of Newport. The committee will endeavor to see all, and the matter should be well considered and the committee given the best possible reception. The burden should not be compelled to rest too heavily on any particular interest, but all should feel that they have a personal interest in the matter and do what they can to carry out the project.

The building of the ferry means that the big new mill of the Fidelity Co., with a payroll of 100 employes, will be kept a part of our town, and, in addition, it will facilitate the crossing of the river by ranchers on the east side and materially increase the trade territory of our town.