Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-10
DON'T WANT THE DAM.
The Chamber of Commerce Enters a
Very Emphatic Protest
AGAINST A HERR'S ISLAND BAR.
Petition to Congress to Make it Nova
bic One, Instead.
BNGINEER ARRAs SAYS IT MAY BE DONE

The Chamber of Commerce met yesterday
and adopted resolutions protesting against
the erection of fixed dam in the Allegheny
river at Hers Island.
Captain John Dravo, Of the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors made report on the
communication received at the last meeting
from J. A. Anderson, of Osceola, Neb., with
reference to asking Congress to take imme-
diate action to improve the harbors and rivers
of the West. The communication was in
dorsed without any recommendation, and the
| report approved.
| A letter was received from Acting Secretary
of the Navy Lindsey, acknowledging the re-
| vessels named "Pittsburg' and stating that the
| request would receive consideration.
| Captain bravo stated that as the compromise
silver bill had passed the House. he believed it
would be good policy to urge the Senate to
| take prompt action to the same end.
Colonel T. P. Roberts presented the follow
| ing resolutions, which were adopted:
about to construct in the Allegheny river below
| Herr's Island and above the cities of Pit:sburg
proposed. shall be a fixed one, and
| Whereas: 1t is believed that such style Of dam
might result in great damage to the cities OF Pitts
| burg and Allegheny for the reason:
First-The river at that point is narrow and
will not permit OF further contraction
| are very low and in event of the construction of
fixed dam. would be readily flooded in times of
| freshets.
Third-Hieh water. such as now often compels
the shutting down Of the mills and factories above
| the proposed dam, and also damages factory
property, would be more frequent through Its
| erection.
Fourth-The Allegheny river is subject to
heavy flow of ice for a considerable season. which,
in event of fixed dam. would, under certain cir
cunstanees, gorge in the pool and in breaking
would cause loss of property in harbors,
Fifth-That this pool from which Allegheny
City derives her supply of water could not be
secured out and cleansed as in the case OF a
movable dam; and
Whereas, 1t is the impression that It is de-
cided advantage to navigation, and in general
preferable to have this portion of the slackwater
harbor Of Pittsburg and Allegheny also under
control is that Of the Davis Island pool there
fore be IL
Resolved. That Lieutenant Colonel William E.
Merrill. OF the corps of engineers in charge of
Herr's Island lock and dam. be petitioned to erect
for the said dam a movable instead OF q liked
structure as originally contemplated.
]. w. Arras local engineer in charge of
Government work, stated yesterday that there
was good prospect that work might be begun
this summer, and that all opposition, either in
Pittsburg or Allegheny, would cease If it were
decided to build a movable instead of q fixed
dam. Mr.. Arras added that negotiations were
pending that would almost certainly remove
the friction as the danger to the public health
would be Ubviated by dropping the dam at any
time there is an accumulation of filth. If this
matter is agreed upon, as it may be in a couple
of weeks, there will be nothing to prevent
commencing work unless 1t be high water.