[Second indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. It is recommended that the accompanying bill, H. R. 7085, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, "Authorizing the Pea River Power Company to erect a dam in Coffee County, Alabama," be amended as indicated thereon. As thus amended, I know of no objection to the passage of the bill by Congress so far as the interests of navigation are concerned. A. MACKENZIE, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Ármy. [Third indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, January 4, 1906. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, inviting attention to the foregoing report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, and to copy of amended bill therein referred to. BRIDGE ACROSS NAVIGABLE WATERS OF ST. ANDREWS BAY. 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. 11263.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 11263) to authorize the construction of a bridge across the navigable waters of St. Andrews Bay, having considered the same report thereon with a recommendation that it pass. The bill has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the letter attached and which is made a part of this report. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. The accompanying bill, H. R. 11263, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, "To authorize the construction of a bridge across the navigable waters of St. Andrews Bay," appears to make ample provision for the protection of navigation interests, and I know of no objection to the passage of the bill by Congress so far as those interests are concerned. It is deemed proper, however, to say that the necessity for the passage of the bill is not apparent, for the reason that St. Andrews Bay is wholly within the limits of the State of Florida, and under the general law contained in section 9 of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899, a bridge may be built thereover under authority of the laws of the State, provided the plans are submitted to and approved by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary of War. A. MACKENZIE, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army. [Third indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, January 17, 1906. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, inviting attention to the foregoing report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER, 1st Session. No. 341. DAMS AND POWER STATIONS ON THE TENNESSEE RIVER AT MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMA. 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 H. R. 297.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 297) to authorize the construction of dams and power stations on the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals, 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. In line 7, page 1, strike out the words "western line," and strike out all of lines 8 and 9 and line 10 to and including the word "River" and insert in lieu thereof the following: "mouth of Malletts creek on the east, and the western line of section sixteen, township three, range ten, on the west." In line 13 on page 1, after the word "improvements," insert "on the southern bank of the Tennessee River." Add at the end of section 3 the following: The person, company, or corporation owning or operating such dam shall maintain, at their own expense, such lights and other signals thereon and such fishways as the Secretary of Commerce and Labor shall prescribe. At the end of section 4 add the following: or in case a person, company, or corporation authorized by the laws of the State of Alabama to erect and maintain a dam and improvements, as contemplated by this act, shall fail to begin the erection of said dam and improvements within two years after being so authorized and shall fail to complete the same within five years after obtaining such authority. [First indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War. I have examined the accompanying bill, H. R. 297, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, "To authorize the construction of dams and power stations on the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals, Alabama," and am of the opinion that its provisions are well adapted to protect navigation interests. The object of the bill is to permit the development and utilization of the great water power now going to waste at the Muscle Shoals, and I see no reason for object. ing to its favorable consideration by Congress. The location specified is, however, erroneous, and I recommend that the bill be amended in this particular as indicated in red thereon. A. MACKENZIE, Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineers, U. S. Ármy. [Second indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, December 15, 1905. Respectfully returned to the chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, inviting attention to the foregoing report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, and to the amendment suggested. |