Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-20
THE LONG BRIDGE.
A Lively Debate on the Subject in the
House Today.

1 DRADuEss
| Lively Debate on the Subject in the
| House Today.
| MEMBERS ADMIT THAT THE STRUCTURE IS AN
OBSTRUCTION AND A MENACE TO THE CITY
AND THAT IT OUGHT TO BE REMOVED AND A
| NEW ONE BUILT.
The Pennsylvania railroad and the Long
bridge formed the subject of warm debate in
the House today.
The resolution appropriating 5000 to clear
the river Of ice was called up and passed. Dur
ing its consideration the debate occurred.
| THE LoNo BRIDGE AS AN OBSTRUCTION.
Mr.. Bland (Mo.) said: II think that the
House and the country ought to take notice of
the fact that there is no trouble about the ice
| In the Potomac except what is caused by the
Long bridge, which obstructs the river. So
/ long as that bridge remains there suppose
the public will have to take care
| OF the ice and the river, but think that some
measure ought to be taken to compel the rail-
road company to construct a bridge across the
river that will not be obstruction to the navi-
CATION and menace to the people of this city
whenever there is ice in the river.
| II remember some years ago. when we had
sucn spell OF weather as we have now, there
was ice in the river and large fall of snow, and
when the ice broke up and lodged against the
Long bridge it caused food which covered
parts of Pennsylvania avenue to such depth that
boats could be run upon it and some of the
hotels were flooded on the first floor That
was all on account of that nuisance, the Long
bridge, and il there is any power to remedy
that evil IT ought to be exercised.
REALLY TO BENEFIT THE RAILROAD COMPANY.
This $4,000 which we are called upon to
mr. 10 10 lie g. H. 80
syivania Railroad Company, for the protection
will also give protection to the people Of this
city. 1t does seem to me
that the gentlemen in charge
/ OF this measure ought to look into the aues-
| ton. 1 have suggested that we whether
| something cannot be done to compel that rail-
road corporation to do their duty instead of re-
quiring us to appropriate public money to pro-
tect their property"
| NEW BRIDGE SHOULD BE BUILT.
Mr. Hooker Of Mississippi agreed with Mr..
Bland tina. the city will never have immunity
from floods until the Long bridge is removed
or altered. He suggested the erection OF a
| bridge high enough to allow vessels to pass
under it, and said
"A railroad bridge thus elevated SO as to offer
| no obstruction to navigation is the only proper
remedy, and then. in my judgment. we ought
TO adopt measures. with the assistance of the
District Of Columbia, for spanning the Potomac
with half dozen bridges IN order to provide
for the development of the city Of Washington
| as it should be provided for"
Mr.. Dockery-Mr. Speaker, in reply to the
! gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Hooker
will reiterate the statement 1 made few
minutes ago to the gentleman from Missouri
| (Mr. Bland). that l trust the proper
committee, charged with authority to consider
such a reform as is suggested, will take the
! subject matter into consideration at an early
! day. In further answer to the gentleman from
Mississippi l will repeat the statement have
already made, that under the provision of this
joint resolution one-half the expenditure to be
incurred will be paid from the revenues Of the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Heard-Will the gentleman from Mis-
| souri, (Nr. Dockery) yield to me a moment?
Mr.. Dockery-Yes. sir.
THE BRIDGE OUGHT TO BE REMOVED.
Mr.. Heard-Mr. Speaker, l simply wish to
observe that the gentleman from Mississippi
(Mr. Hooker) and the gentleman from Missouri
(Mr. Bland), who have been members of this
House very mucn longer than any member
Of the present District committee, seem TO
lose sight OF the fact that they with their
knowledge, personal and official, relating to
this subject. have much right and are as much
charged with the duty of introducing a meas
nre to correct the evil which they point
out as any member of the committee: and
L
Tennessee any member of this House who may
introduce bill Of that character W. find til
committee ready to give it attentive considera-
ton.
Speaking for myself (and my service here has
been. believe. as long US that of any other
member Of the committee) when came here l
found that years before my entrance into
Congress the United States had granted or
sold this bridge to the railroad company, which
under an agreement made with it was to main
tain the bridge for the use of the public. Thus
| provision was made for the perpetuation OF the
bridge, at least there is no provision of law
contemplating its removal. So far as l am
concerned l believe that the bridge ought
| to be removed under such terms and conditions
fair and equitable to the railroad company as
may be provided by Congress
Mr.. Willcox-Was the bridge built originally
in conformity with the law authorizing its con-
| struction?
CEDEp TO THE RAILROAD COMPANY.
! Mr.. Heard-Most assurediy. In the first in
starce it was maintained by the government
and afterward. as l have stated, it was coded or
sold to the railroad company upon the condi-
ton that they should maintain it for public
use.
| Mr.. Bland-I wish to ask my colleague (Mr
Heard whether his committee, the committee
on the District of Columbia, has properly
charge Of this subject or whether it belongs to
the committee OH interstate and foreign cCm-
merce.
Mr.. Heard-My colleague (Mr. Bland) has
referred to the subject, believe. as belonging
to the commerce committee, while my other
colleague MIR. Dockery) has referred to it,
understand, coming within the jurisdiction
of the District committee.
TRYING TO FIX THE RESPONSIBILITY.
Mr.. Bland-I should like TO know what COM
mittee has charge Of this matter. Certainly no
committee that has charge of it has the right to
shoulder the responsibility on members of the
House who do not belong to that committee.
Mr.. Heard will ask my colleague (Mr.
Bland) how any member of this House, whether
he be a member Of the committee not, is K
empted from the duty resting upon a member
to take measures for the correction Of any evil
which he knows to exist.
Mr.. Bland-But, as l understand, committees
| are appointed for the special purpose Of looking
| after particular questions. 1t would be very
difficult for members to undertake to look after
business which has been assigned to particular
committees of the House.
THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE DEFENDED.
Mr.. Heard-When the committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia shall have failed to consider
any bill introduced by any member of the
House looking to n reform in this matter, it
will he time enouoh tn maka criticiap,a unon