now lawfully be done) on terms clear, comprehensive, and well understood, they could proceed in perfect security to build, just as cheaply as otherwise, dams so shaped and adapted that if the Government ever desires it can construct locks in accordance with the terms before fixed and navigate those parts of the streams, which might prove quite valuable to the owners of the water powers if transportation of freight were needed, so that the owners of the shoals build the dans only, which they would have to do anyway if permission were granted unconditionally. If afterwards the Government wishes to navigate the streams, it needs only to spend enough money to put in the locks, and if it never does that the owners of the dams will never be interfered with in the exercise of their rights and privileges. Under the conditions of this bill, if enacted into law, I think millions of horsepower would be developed, making musical with the hum of factories and the whistle of steamboats many rivers now denied to the use of both, by no means least among which may be named the Tennessee, the Coosa, the Chattahoochee, and the Flint, which abound in possibilities of water power, while presenting hundreds of miles of natural, splendid channel for navigation, cut up at long intervals by shoals, expensive for the Government to move or improve, but profitable for private capital to utilize for water power, with benefit rather than detriment to the interests of navigation. BRIDGE BETWEEN CEDAR POINT AND DAUPHIN ISLAND. JANUARY 19, 1906.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. RICHARDSON, of Alabama, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 1747.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (S. 1747) to authorize the Mobile Railway and Dock Company to construct and maintain a bridge or viaduct across the water between the end of Cedar Point and Dauphin Island, having considered the same report it with amendments and as amended recommend its passage. The bill thus amended has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the annexed letter, the amendments referred to therein having been incorporated in the bill as reported. Amend as follows: On page 3, section 4, in line 22, strike out the words "and change" and insert in lieu thereof "or remove.' On page 4, in section 6, line 11, strike out the word "five" and insert in lieu thereof the word "three." WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. I have examined the accompanying bill, S. 1747, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, "To authorize the Mobile Railway and Dock Company to construct and maintain a bridge or viaduct across the water between the end of Cedar Point and Dauphin Island," and have indicated certain amendments thereon. As thus amended, I know of no objection to the passage of the bill by Congress, 80 far as the interests of navigation are concerned. A. MACKENZIE, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. O 59TH CONGRESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPORT 1st Session. No. 339. ERECTION OF A DAM IN COFFEE COUNTY, ALA. JANUARY 19, 1906.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. ADAMSON, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 7085.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 7085) authorizing the Pea River Power Company to erect a dam in Coffee County, Ala., having considered the same report it with amendment and as amended recommend its passage. The bill thus amended has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the annexed letter; the amendment referred to therein having been incorporated in the bill as reported. Add to section i the following: Provided: That the plans of said dam shall be submitted to, and be approved by, the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary of War before construction is commenced; and the Secretary of War may at any time require and enforce, at the expense of the owners, such modifications in the construction of said dam as he may deem advisable in the interests of navigation: Provided further, That there shall be placed and maintained in connection with said dam a sluiceway so arranged as to permit logs, timber, and lumber to pass around, through, or over said dam without unreasonable delay or hindrance, and without toll or charges; and suitable fishways, to be approved by the United States Fish Commissioner, shall be constructed and maintained on said dam. Add section 2 as follows: SEC. 2. That this act shall be null and void unless the dam herein authorized is commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date hereof. Add section 3 as follows: SEC. 3. That the right to amend or repeal this act is hereby expressly reserved. |