Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-21
THE CITY TO BLAME.
Col. Roberts Says the River Was
Filled Up for the Point Bridge.
THAT RIVER COMMITTEE AT WORK.
Arthur Kirk Denies Uncle Sans Rights to
Fix the Boundaries.
NARROWING MAKES AswIFT CURRENT

At late meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce the very important matter of the con-
slant epcroachments on the river channels
by manufacturers and railroad corporations
received some attention. Captain bravo
mentioned that the subject had been agitated
before the convention of river men at Gin
cinnati, and he characterized the flling-in
that was in daily progress as an outrage
that should be at once seen to. 1t was
stated that in 1868 the State had estab-
lished high and low water lines for this
city and Allegheny. and a map prepared
and filed in the Court of Common Pleas,
by which it could be seen how far encroach-
ments had already extended. While it was
contended on one side that the power of the
State to establish such lines had never been
questioned and that therefore the Courts
could deal with the matter;
IT WAS ARGUED
by Colonel Bayne that the State had no
legal status in the question and that the
work Of laying down such lines belonged
distinctly and exclusively to the Federal
Government. The constant encroachment,
inch by inch, along the channel of the river.
is a matter so notorious that frequent sur
prise is expressed that action of some sort
is not taken in the proper quarter to have
the nuisance either abated, or if possible
remedied.
Colonel Thomas P. Roberts was spoken
to about the encroachments on the water
channels last night, and he said:
'This is matter about which I am not
at liberty to express any opinion, because,
in addition to being member of the Cham
Der of Commerce, I am on the River and
Harbor Committee, and this committee will
make an examination and report to the
Chamber. 1t is just possible that our re-
port may be presented at the next meeting,
but that depends on the Chairman, Captain
John f. Dravo.
STIRRING UP PUBLIC OPINION.
''I think, however, that what we shall have
to say will have the effect of producing
some action which Will tend to influence
public opinion, and that very speedily,
toward the gradual narrowing of the water
way. 1 am chairman of a committee ap-
pointed some years ago by the Engineers
Society of Western Pennsylvania to report
on this very matter, but nothing was done
about it.
"Some people think that the narrowing of
the rivers limits will result IN food dur
ing some unusual rising of the waters, but
1t should be remembered that the curtail-
ment of the channel has the effect OF in
creasing the velocity of the stream, and just
in proportion to the increased velocity is its
force exerted in cutting away the bed and
banks. There are some parts of the river
where it is so wide that the filling in would
be rather beneficial than otherwise, but
then, on the other hand, there are narrower
points which should not be interfered with.
Of fhn ooh-
ment on the water channel of our rivers has
exercised the minds of rivermen for a con-
siderable time past, and remember illusions
being made to the increased current by them
at the time of the food of the 11th of July.
The lines of high and low water are clearly
laid down on the map prepared by the State
in 1858, but without full and expensive
survey it cannot be ascertained, precisely,
how much has been taken from the river.
THE CITY AN OFFENDER.
''I don't think the public is aware how
much land has been appropriated in this
way, not only by manufacturing firms and
others, but even by the city itself, for the
Point bridge is constructed on the river side
of the line. The Importance of the free
navigation of the MonongaheIa cannot be
over-estimated when it is considered that its
tonnage is equal to that of the whole of the
Mississippi Valley"
Mr.. Arthur Kirk, referring to the legal
aspect of the matter yesterday, said: Il have
long sought for law giving the United
States Cover nment the right to establish
such lines, but have not found it. Away
back in the '70's the Chamber of Commerce
had law passed giving the United States
Government the right to build the Davis
Island dam, and during the session of 1888
the Western Pennsylvania River Improve
ment Association had difficulty in obtain
ing the passage of an act granting the Gov
ernment the right to construct and main
tain dam at Herr's Island, and had that
act made general act granting the Federal
Government the right to place dams in any
stream in the State. But 1 have not been
able to find that the Federal Government
has any legal right to establish water lines,
and will be much obliged to Colonel Bayne
if he willtell us where such authority can
be found"