Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-10
UNCLE SANS RIGHTS
Hon. Walter Lyon Talks About
That Herr'S Island Dam.
IF COUNCILS DO NOT ACT
Col. Merrill Will be Instructed to
Proceed With the Work.
ANY OPPOSITION MAY INITIATE
Against a New Federal Bnilding for the
City Across the River.
ANY OPPOSITION MAY INITIATE
RIPARIAN RIGHTS CONE In CONFLICT

The Allegheny Wharf Committee was ia
have met last evening to transact large
amount of minor business, ana to listen to
an address from Hon. Walter Lyon on the
new Government dam at the foot of Hers
Island, which, when completed, will consti-
tute complete controllable harbor for the
entire water front of Pittsburg and Allie
ghenv. Despite some energetic drumming
up OF absentees quorum could not be OBJ
tanned. As the matter of drafting an ordi-
nance expressive of the city's attitude to-
ward the dam was confded to this commit
tee, with instructions to take action, 1t is
probable that nothing will be done in the
matter by Councils on Thursday evening,
for there will be no report to 60 upon.
Mr.. Lyon explained the matter at some
length to a DISPATCH representative. He
said: The question of riparian rights is al
wavs broad one, and in the case of the
proposed dam is complicated to some extent
bv the existence of State laws which are
manifestly at variance with the United
States laws and usages. The State River
Commission in 1858 established arbitrary
lines for high and low water marks, this ac-
ton having been supplemental to the
plating of Bank lane at the time of Allie
gheny's organization. But the United
States claims that the natural high and low
water marks of navigable streams connot be
affected by State legislation, the latter being
simply for the guidance OF citizens Of the
State. The State conceded to municlpall-
ties portions of riparian lands which really
belong to the Government.
LYON WILL GO AHEAD ANYHOW.
81 had hoped that the Government would
receive assurance against annoyances in the
shape of suits or objections. If nothing is
done in the matter at the regrlar meeting of
Councils on Thursday evening I shall In
struct Colonel Merrill, the Government en-
gineer, to proceed with the dam. Lieuten-
ant Arras the engineer in charge, is anxious
to get to work without loss of time in order
to exhaust the present appropriation. II
that is not encroached upon this fall it will
be difficult to receive further allowance
for the prosecution of the work. Should
suits be brought 1 shall 60 before the United
States Court and obtain an injunction,
which will probably settle objections"
A member of Councils from the Eighth
ward stated that his constituents believed
that the pool would retain so many impuri-
ties as to seriously affect the water supply.
Mr.. Lyon then observed that local expert
had advanced the opinion that water taken
from a pool formed of running water was
Just as apt to be pure as under other condl-
JionS
AFFECTING A PUBLIC BUILDING.
As a elincher to the informal arguments
advanced while quorum was being hustled
for the United States District Attorney
said 1.-THE geographical conditions have
made it inexpedient in the past to agitate
for a public building in Allegheny.
But now that Pittsburg's building is nearly
completed, Congressman Bayne feels that it
is time to present Allegheny's needs in
Congress. If there is a violent opposition
in Allegheny to the prosecution OF the
Hers Island dam it may prove an un-
answerable argument against a Federal
building The dam will be such great
benefit to the communities that any opposi-
tion to it seems remarkable