Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-05
WHAT MR. pAprrrrn GA,


While Congress Is discussing the question of
building a free bridge across the Potomac river
and endeavoring to decide upon the suitable
location, II looks very much as II the admin.
istration intends to take the matter In it's own
hands and purchase the Acqueduct bridge out
right and turn It into q free bridge, as was
authorized by Congress at the last session. The
Secretary Of War last evening resubmitted to
the Attorney General all the correspondence
and papers connected with the matter for re-
consideration as to the validity of title
1t will be remembered that Congress author.
ICED the purchase OF the AQueduct bridge by
the Secretary OF War, for q sum not exceeding
SS5 900. The lessees of the bridge were willing
to make the sale, but the Attorney General rem.
dered an opinion that there were defects in the
title which, until cleared awry, would prevent
the purchase of the structure by the govern
ment.
Canal company, which assisted In making the
title imperfect, were covered into the Treasury
and that objection was speedily removed. The
imperfect title to the north abutmert of the
bridge. This abutment was built by the Chesn-
peake and Ohio Canal company for the Alex
andria Canal company, at the time when the
branch canal was established. 1t was built for
the use OF the branch canal and has been used
without Question The essees Of The bpEasyg
claim that all rights OF the Alexandria Canal
company In this matter reverted to them, and
the use Of the abutment and right Of way over
tt all these years constitute an easement
which will obviate all danger Of the govern
ment's ownership ever being questioned. The
opinion OF the Attorney General on the Ques-
ton will be necessary TO permit the purchase
Of the bridge, but it is the general impression
that he will decide that the title will be salts
factory. In such an event the purchase of the
bridge will be made at once.
When the adverse opinion of the Attorney
General WAS rendered, the matter was dropped.
but some time since Gov. II. III. Wells, repre-.
senting the iessees OF the bridge, wrote to the
ment had any Intention OF moving In the
matter, and stating that the lessees were ready
to stand by the agreement.
submitted by the lessees, going to show that q
satisfactory title could be given the govern
sp All the were referred ~ the Act
OF War, who. after they were examined by the
the chief OF engineers, referred them to the At
torney General last evening for Q reconsider
ton.
YAv0kAbLB ACTION OF THE HoUBE sUB-CoM-
MIrrEE TO-DAY.
The free bridge bill wal agreed upon to-day
by the House District decentralization
Barbour and Rowell-to whom the matter was
referred. The attornies employed to represent
the parties interested were present at the meet
ing OF the sub-committee, and an agreement
was reached which was mutually satisfactory.
make Il that the @ Sraee az be
on the site of the aqueduct, unless the holders
OF that bridge refuse to sell. Should they
circumstances The question OF title is
not to enter into the matter. II the Attorney
General holds that the title to the one pier
that Is In dispute 10 not GOOD the bill will either
authorize him 70 condemn the site OF the pier
or else will declare that the title must be de-
lared to be good. MIR. Barbour favors the for
mer plan; Mr.. Rowell the latter. Mr.. Rowel
thinks there can be no question as 90 the eQui-
iavorabiy 70 the whole cominities so-mcrro Nv
There 10 no question about their adopting the
report OF the sub-committee. and u H. expected
az to be Oh the calendar TO be taken up On Mon
day.