Evening star., 1886-10-26
THE LONG BRIDGE.
Whose Duty it isstO Look AFTER It.
THE HISTORY OF THE STRUCTURE AND THE
LAW GIVING ITS CONTROL TO THE B. & O..
RAILROAD COMPANY

commissioner Webb stated this morning that
In view OF the frequent complaints Of citizens
who have business relations which call them
across the Long bridge as to the condition OF
that structure, he addressed Col. Wilson, super
lntendent of buildings and grounds, few lines
upon the subject Of control over the bridge,
thinking 1t might be with him. Col. Wilson re.
pneo that he had nothing to do with the bridge
ana no authority to supervise its maintenance.
Commissioners Webb states that they will prob
ably address the railroad company now upon
the same subject, as they desire to have the
orldge Kept In passable condition.
THE ACT OF CONGRESS GIVING THE BRIDGE TO
THE RAILROAD COMPANY.
The act OF Congress, approved June 21st, 1870,
VOL 10 statutes at large(, after giving the Bal
timore and Potomac railroad company author.
ity to extend their lateral branch to the Long
bridge and to extend their tracks and to con-
eS. w,I1 m IN Virginia authorizes the
use the bridge In perpetuty, free of cost. 1t is
provided that it maintain it in good condition
all times q free bridge for public use and ordi-
nary travel. 1t is further provided that 1t shall
erect and maintain draw-bridges SO as not to
1T shall at any time neglect to keep said bridge
IN gooa repair and free for public use for ordi,
states shall enter into possession.
WHAT THEY SAY AT THE TREASURY.
It is the impression at the Treasury depart
ment that 1t is the duty of the superintendent
of public buildings and grounds, under the
War department., TO see that the Baltimore and
Potomac railway company comply with
Long bridge in repair. In case they refused to do
SO, his course would probably be to have an in.
General, through the Department OF Justice, to
recover the bridge from the company. The law
seems to indicate this course.
HISTORY OF THE STRUCTURE
The old Long bringe was first authorized by
act of Congress February 5, 1908. A board OF
commissioners, composed of Robert Brent,
Daniel Carroll, of Duddington; Thomas Monroe,
James D. Barry. Frederick May, Samuel Har-
rison Smith, Jonah Thompson, Jonathan
Swift. Thomas Vowel, Cuthburt Powell, EIisah
Janney and Charles Alexander. were authorized
to issue stock at $40 a share and build the
bridge. The stockholders were to be known as
the Washington Bridge company, and for sixty
order and collect tolls. making what profit
they might. Certain penalties were provided 1T
e sxs wss To
national government and be forever after
wards q free bridge. By subsequent act all
chased by the government for 500, 900, and the
bounds Of the District were extended over the
bridge so as to bring it entirely within the Dis
trict OF Columbia. 1t was then made a free
bridge. Then, by act of Congress, July 1st, 1886,
the commissioner of public buildings" was
to for and light the
under the charge OF the War department.
On the 21st OF June, 1870, Congress passed
the act, which was approved by the President,
turning the bridge over TO the Baltimore and
Potomac railway company on the conditions
mentioned above. Nothing is said in the act
as to who shall see that the railway company
fulfilled its obligation, the presumption being
that this duty devolved upon the same authori-
ties under whose control It had previously been
placed. The question has not been studied at
all by the government officials, and there is no
parallel case known; but these are the opinions
in cases where government property not placed
specifically in any charge has been encroached
upon. In these cases 1t has been held that the
remedy lay through an information by the At
tOrney General