The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-11-19
Railroad Bridge Near Aiexan-
dria.


\ railroad bridge is now in process
of construction across Red river inme-
lately at the upper falls inst above
Alexandria. The Red river steamboat
men strennonSIy oppose its location
at that point as being hurtfal and dan
verous to the navigation of the river.
The act of Congress authorizing the
construction of the bridge is very strict
and rigid as respects protecting the
nayigable interest of the river, and
reserves to the government the right
to say where the bridge shall be loca-
ted, and prohibits its construction
until the place of location and the plans
of the bridge shall have been approved
by the secretary of war. At the
request of the river people Mr.. B'auch-
ard telegaphed the war department to
know if the location and plans of the
bridge had been approved. Icster-
dav he was answered that the secra-
tary of war had not approved the
plans. Yet, in spite of this failure to
secure the approval of their plans, and
in the teeth of the law requiring such
approval, the railroad company are
going right ahead constructing the
bridge. Recently the same company
proceeded in the same way to con-
struct a bridge over the Onaclita
river. They chose location of their
own and did not wait to obtain the
approval of their plans. After ex-
pending some $4,000 they discov-
cred that the war department objected
to the location of the bridge and de-
manded its removal to a point some
500 feet below, and the railroad com
pany has been forced to comply. But
it seems they have learned nothing by
this experience, The Red river is a
navigahle waterway of the United
States, and no railroad company has
the right to bridge it except by au
thority of Congress, ana then mnst
comply strictly with the requirements
of the enabling act. We have no oh
lection to railroads bridging the river
but shall insist that the laws respect.
ing the protection of the navigation OF
the river he rigidly complied with
The river is olr only safeguard against
extortionate railroad tariffs, aud as
long as it is open and free and min
pcded we need have no fear of freight
determinations. The government has
expended and is expanding large sums
for its Improvement. Mr.. Blanchard
informs us that since he has been ir
| Congress million of dollars has been
secured for its Improvement, which in
cludes tue great work going on at its
mouth. No railroad or other bridge
should be permitted which is likely tc
prove an obstacle to navigation. Il
seems to us this is vitality important
matter, and one in which all the PEG.
pie are Interested. Alexandra is both
river and railroad point. / would
be at the mercy of the railroads if j,
were not for the river. Its people
should see to it that no bridge is per
mittcd to span the river near it unless
the location and plans of such bridge
are first approved 10y the secretary Of
war as the law requires. The last riv,
err and harbor bill, which became 3
law September 10, 1890, contains
stringent enactments against placing
bridges or other distinctions III naviga.
BILE waterways of the United States
unless by authority of law and pursu.
ant to the requirements of law. Pen,
aties are prescribed for an infraction
of this statute. Perhaps it wonld be
we'll for railroad attorneys and officials
to look we'll into the law before they
attempt what we are informed is being
attempted near Alexandria Shreve
port Times
The Progressive League Of Louisiana