Toll hike unfair

To the editor:
Recently, an article appeared in the Daily Journal about the appointment of Miles Hewitt as vice-president of Boise Cascade’s Minnesota operations.
If my memory serves me right, the report implied that he loved the area, the community, and the people, and would work harder than ever at his job.
“Work harder” apparently means gouging the people on both sides of the border by increasing bridge tolls. If this is his expression of feelings for the community, he should go back to Walla Walla and spread his kindness there.
The proposed increases pay no attention to Mr. (Alan) Greenspan’s efforts to control inflation.
On the other hand, it may be an indication of the increases that unions can expect at the next round of negotiations, particularly since the company reported net income of $148.2 million in 1999.
In any event, the increase in tolls is an unfeeling attitude toward older people on low and fixed incomes who have gained friends and relatives on both sides of the border over the years while they contributed to the community as well as the company.
In the Friday, May 5 edition of the paper’s “You Asked, We Answered” column, the Journal stated in part:
“. . . owners plan to collect tolls on both sides of the river . . . tolls on the U.S. side going into Canada . . . tolls on the Canadian side . . . crossing back to the U.S.”
After that boondoggle:
“Eventually . . . a single toll on the U.S. side . . . for round trips. This is . . . for convenience . . . reduce costs . . . move traffic more rapidly.”
If indeed cost reduction for toll collection and to expedite travel across the bridge are the objectives, then the obvious solution is to eliminate the tolls entirely!
Signed,
L. Dahl
International Falls, Mn.