by reason of the construction of the said bridge the cause may be tried before the circuit court of the United States in and for any district in whose jurisdiction any portion of said obstruction or bridge may be. Said bridge shall be constructed to provide for the passage of railroad trains. Railroad bridge. Provisos. SEC. 2. That said bridge shall be provided with one or more openings, Drawbridge. each having not less than one hundred feet clear channel way at low water, and in addition to said openings one or more fixed channel spans, if required by the Secretary of War, each having not less than fifty feet clear channel way; and every part of the superstructure of said bridge shall give a clear headroom of not less than six feet above extreme known high-water mark: Provided, That all spans shall be so located as to afford the greatest possible accommodation to the river traffic: Provided also, That if the physical characteristics of the locality Reductions. so require, and the interest of navigation be not injured thereby, the lengths of the fixed spans or the number of openings may be reduced: Provided also, That for any two adjacent openings of one hundred feet each one opening of two hundred feet or more may be substituted if, in the opinion of the Secretary of War, the interests of navigation be not injured thereby. SEC. 3. That all draw spans, if any are found necessary and are required by the Secretary of War, by this Act shall be operated by steam or other reliable power, and shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passage of boats, except when trains are passing over said span or spans; but in no case shall unnecessary delay occur in opening said draw after the passage of trains, and also that in case the opening of a draw is delayed by reason of the passing of a train after the signal has been given from a boat ready to pass through the draw shall be opened for the passage of such boat before another train is allowed to pass over the said span or spans; nor shall there be any unnecessary delay in the passage of trains over the bridge. SEC. 4. That all piers shall be built as nearly as may be parallel with the current of the river at that stage of water which is most important for navigation, and the bridge itself shall be built as nearly as may be at right angles thereto; and that riprapping or other protection for imperfect foundations which will lessen the required waterway shall not be permitted; and also that piers which will produce cross currents or bars dangerous to navigation shall not be constructed; and if after construction any piers or accessory works are found to produce the above-mentioned effects, or if any riprapping or other protection prohibited by this section is found to exist, the nuisance shall be abated or corrected under the direction of the Secretary of War at the expense. of the company or persons owning, controlling, or operating said bridge. SEC. 5. That the approaches to said bridge shall be so designed and constructed as not to interfere with the free discharge of said river in seasons of flood; and any encroachment on the high-water cross section by piers, solid embankments, or otherwise which will result in unduly accelerating the high-water current at the site of the bridge shall not be allowed. SEC. 6. That any corporation, company, or persons owning, controlling, or operating the bridge built under the authority of this Act shall build and maintain at all times as accessory work to such bridge such booms, piers, dikes, guard fences, and similar devices as may be necessary to insure at all times a permanent channel for a sufficient distance above and below the bridge site, and for the guiding of rafts, steamboats, and other water craft safely under or through said bridge; and if at any time after the construction of the bridge and its accessory works the approaches to draw openings, channel spans, or raft passages in said bridge are found to be dangerous or difficult of access by river traffic the Secretary of War may, upon the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, order the corporation, company, or persons owning, controlling, or operating said bridge to construct, under his direction, and to maintain such additional sheer booms, Increase. Opening draw. Construction. Approaches. Aids to navigation. Lights, etc. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. Supervision. Changes. panies. Compensation. dikes, and other devices as will obviate the difficulty mentioned, which additional sheer booms, dikes, and other devices shall be built and maintained at their own expense by said company or persons; and that said company or persons shall maintain, at their own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights and other signals on said bridge as may be required by the Light-House Board for the security of navigation. SEC. 7. That the bridge authorized to be constructed by this Act shall be located and built under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation on said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe; and to secure that object said corporation shall submit for his examination a design and drawing of the bridge, piers, approaches, and accessory works, and a map of the location, giving for a space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location the topography of the banks of the river and the shore lines at high and low water. This map shall be accompanied by another, drawn on the scale of one inch to two hundred feet, giving for a space of one-half mile above the line of the proposed bridge and one-quarter mile below an accurate representation of the bottom of the river, by contour lines five feet apart, determined by accurate soundings, and also showing over the whole width of this part of the river the force and direction of the currents at low water, at high water, and at least one intermediate stage by triangulated observations on suitable floats. The maps shall also show the location of other bridges in the vicinity, and shall give such information as the Secretary of War may require for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and the construction of the proposed bridge shall not be commenced until the location and plans thereof are approved by the Secretary of War. SEC. 8. That any bridge constructed under the authority of this Act shall be built under the general supervision of the Secretary of War, and no changes or alterations in plans shall be made during the construction of said bridge or after its completion unless said changes or alterations conform to the provisions of this Act and are authorized by the Secretary of War. That such alterations and changes as may be required by the Secretary of War in said bridge, so as to preserve free and convenient navigation, shall be made under the direction of the Secretary of War, at the expense of the company or persons owning, controlling, or operating said bridge. That during original construction, or in carrying out any authorized changes, or repairs of said bridge, a navigable channel shall be preserved at the site of the bridge at all times, and the waterway of the river shall not be obstructed to a greater extent than is absolutely necessary, and such lights and buoys shall be kept on all cofferdams, piles, and so forth, as may be necessary for the security of navigation. Use by railroad com- SEC. 9. That all railroad companies desiring the use of the bridge authorized by this Act shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains or cars over the same, and over the approaches thereto, upon the payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owner or owners of said bridge and the several railroad companies, or any one of them, desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid, and upon rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secre tary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies. Lawful structure and post route. SEC. 10. That the bridge constructed, maintained, and operated under this Act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transportation over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions over the railroads and public highways leading to said bridge; and the United States shall have the right of way for postal, telegraph, and telephone purposes over said bridge. Commencement and completion. SEC. 11. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date of approval thereof. SEC. 12. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby Amendment, etc. expressly reserved; and the right to require the entire removal of the bridge constructed under the provisions of this Act, at the expense of the owners thereof, whenever Congress shall decide that the public interests require it, is also expressly reserved. SEC. 13. That the Act approved February eleventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-three, entitled "An Act to authorize the construction of a bridge across Cahaba River, in Bibb County, Alabama, by the Montgomery, Tuscaloosa and Memphis Railway," is hereby repealed. Approved, June 11, 1896. bridge over Cahaba River repealed. Act authorizing Vol. 27, p. 441. CHAP. 416.-An Act To authorize the construction of a bridge across the Alabama River by the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company. June 11, 1896. Bridge over Alabama River. to Mobile and Ohio Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the rights, powers, and privileges granted to the Alabama Great Northwestern Railway Com-Vol. 25, p. 378. pany by the Act of Congress entitled "An Act to authorize the con- Rights transferred struction of a bridge across the Alabama River," and approved August Railroad Company. sixth, eighteen hundred and eighty-eight, together with all the duties and conditions thereby imposed, be, and the same are hereby, taken from the said railway company and in all respects extended to, vested in, and imposed upon the Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company. extended. SEC. 2. That the time for completing the construction of the bridge Time for completion authorized by said Act, which construction has already been begun, be, and the same is hereby, extended for three years from the date of the passage of this Act. SEC. 3. That section three of the said Act is hereby amended so as to read as follows: approve plans, etc. "SEC. 3. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed, Secretary of War to upon receiving any such plans and map and other information, and upon being satisfied that a bridge built on such plan and with such accessory works and at such locality will conform to the prescribed conditions of this Act, to notify the company that he approves the same; and upon receiving such notification the said company may proceed to an erection of said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved plan and location, but until such notification has been received the bridge shall not be commenced or built; should any material change be made in the plan of the bridge or said accessory works during the progress of the work thereon, such change shall be likewise subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. The Secretary may at any time, when, in his judgment, necessary, require the company owning or controlling said bridge to change the same in any respect, or to entirely remove the structure, all such changes or the entire removal to be at the expense of said company." Approved, June 11. 1896. CHAP. 417.—An Act To authorize the Butler and Pittsburg Railroad Company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Allegheny River. Changes. June 11, 1896. Butler and Pitts Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Butler and Pittsburg burg Railroad ComRailroad Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State pany may bridge Alof Pennsylvania, is hereby authorized to construct, maintain, and oper- gheny County, Pa. legheny River, Alleate a railroad bridge, with single or double track, for railroad traffic across the Allegheny River within the limits of Allegheny County, State of Pennsylvania, at some point northeast of the eastern boundary line Railroad, etc., bridge. of the city of Pittsburg. The said bridge, when built in accordance with the requirements of this Act, shall be a legal structure, and may be used for railroad and highway purposes. Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. Notification of ap proval. Toll, etc. Proviso. panies. SEC. 2. That the bridge authorized to be constructed under this Act shall be located and built under and subject to such regulations for the security of navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe, and to secure that object the railroad company shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawing of the bridge and a map of the location, giving for the space of one mile above and below the proposed location the depth and currents at all points of the same and the location of any other bridge or bridges, together with all other information touching said bridge and river as may be deemed requisite by the Secretary of War to determine whether said bridge when built will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause any serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the flow of water. SEC. 3. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed, upon receiving said plan and map, and upon being satisfied that a bridge built on such plan and at said locality will conform to the provisions of this Act and cause no serious obstruction to the navigation of the river or injuriously affect the flow of water, to notify the said company that he approves the same, and upon receiving such notification the said company may proceed to the erection of said bridge, conforming strictly to the approved plan and location. But until the Secretary of War shall approve the plan and location of the said bridge, and notify the said company of the same in writing, the bridge shall not be built or commenced; and should any change be made in the plan of the bridge during the progress of the work thereon such change shall be subject likewise to the approval of the Secretary of War. SEC. 4. That said bridge shall be constructed to provide for the pas sage of railroad trains, and, at the option of the corporation by which it may be built, may be used for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds, for the transit of animals, and for foot passengers, for such reasonable rates of toll as may be approved from time to time by the Use by railroad com. Secretary of War: Provided, That all railroad companies desiring the use of the bridge authorized by this Act shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of trains or cars over the same and over the approaches thereto upon the payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owner or owners of such bridge and the several companies, or any one of them, desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid, and upon rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies. Compensation. Lawful structure and post route. Postal telegraph. Aids to navigation. Lights, etc. Changes. SEC. 5. That any bridge constructed under this Act shall be a lawful structure and shall be known as a post road, over which no higher charge shall be made for the transportation of mails, troops, and munitions of war or other property of the Government of the United States, or for passengers or freight passing over the same, than the rate per mile charged for their transportation over the railways or public highways leading to said bridge. The United States shall also have the right of way over said bridge for postal-telegraph purposes. SEC. 6. That said bridge herein authorized to be constructed shall be so kept and managed at all times as to afford proper means and ways for the passage of vessels, barges, or rafts, both by day and by night; and there shall be displayed on said bridge by the owners thereof, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may prescribe; and such changes shall be made from time to time in the structure of said bridge as the Secretary of War may direct, at the expense of the said company, in order the more effectually to preserve the free navigation of said river. SEC. 7. That this Act shall be null and void unless the construction of said bridge shall be commenced within one year and completed within three years from the passage of this Act. SEC. 8. That Congress shall have power at any time to alter, amend, or repeal this Act. Approved, June 11, 1896. Commencement and completion. Amendment, etc. CHAP. 418.—An Act To make the city of Erie, Pennsylvania, a port of immediate transportation. June 11, 1896. Erie, Pa. Granted immediate transportation privi leges. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the privileges of the seventh section of the Act approved June tenth, eighteen hundred and eighty, governing the transportation of dutiable merchandise without i. 21, p. 174. appraisement, be, and the same are hereby, extended to the port of Erie, in the State of Pennsylvania. Approved, June 11, 1896. CHAP. 419.-An Act Making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, and for other purposes. Vol. June 11, 1896. bia appropriations. Half from District revenues. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the half of the following District of Columsums named, respectively, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and the other half out of the revenues of the District of Columbia, for the purposes following, being for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, namely: GENERAL EXPENSES. General expenses. Executive office. FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICE: For two Commissioners, at five thousand dollars each; Engineer Commissioner, nine hundred and twenty-four retary, etc. dollars (to make salary five thousand dollars); secretary, two thousand one hundred and sixty dollars; two assistant secretaries to Commissioners, at one thousand dollars each; clerk, one thousand five hundred dollars; clerk, one thousand four hundred dollars; three clerks, one of whom shall be a stenographer and typewriter, at one thousand two hundred dollars each; messenger, six hundred dollars; stenographer and typewriter, seven hundred and twenty dollars; driver, four hundred and eighty dollars; laborer, three hundred and sixty-five dollars; inspector of buildings, two thousand four hundred dollars; assistant inspector of buildings, one thousand two hundred dollars; three assistant inspectors of buildings, at one thousand dollars each; clerk, one thousand six hundred dollars; clerk, nine hundred dollars; messenger, four hundred and eighty dollars; janitor, seven hundred dollars; steam engineer, nine hundred dollars; one fireman, four hundred and eighty dollars; property clerk, one thousand six hundred dollars; deputy property clerk, one thousand two hundred dollars; clerk, seven hundred and twenty dollars; messenger, six hundred dollars; two elevator operators, at three hundred and sixty dollars each; messenger, four hundred and eighty dollars; three watchmen, at four hundred and eighty dollars each; inspector of plumbing, two thousand dollars; five assistant inspectors of plumbing, at one thousand dollars each; harbor master, one thousand two hundred dollars; two laborers, at three hundred and sixty dollars each; in all, fifty-one thousand and eighty-nine dollars: Provided, That the accounting officers of the Treasury are Provisos. |