A Ferry Landing Secured—and a Mill Kept in Town

At a meeting today of the free ferry committee with J. C. H. Reynolds, representing the Idaho Washington Northern Railroad, arrangements were made that practically wipe out the last obstacle to the beginning of work on the ferry. The railroad company, through Mr. Reynolds, expressed its willingness to enter into a contract whereby some of their property may be crossed to secure an approach to the ferry landing.

The company, in granting the privilege of crossing their property, and also giving the right to use valuable river frontage for a landing, has shown the right spirit in favoring a project which is of so vital importance to the town. This in spite of the fact that the company has had to contest almost every inch of the way in their endeavor to secure a right-of-way through the town and secure adequate yard facilities.

The assurance of the success of the ferry project insures keeping the big Fidelity plant across the river as an important part of our town, and also will aid in building up a productive country across the river that will contribute to the growth of Newport.

Work on the ferry will be started as soon as the final arrangements can be completed.

At the recent meeting of the Bonner county commissioners the board agreed to operate the free ferry from Newport across the Pend Oreille river to the mill of the Fidelity Lumber Co., providing the ferry boat was placed in the river at the point it is desired to be operated and a bill of sale for the boat made to the county. They will furnish a ferryman and operate the boat from 6 o'clock a.m. to 7 o'clock p.m.

They also advertised for bids for running the Newport and other free ferries, but the Newport ferry service is not to be started before April 20.