The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-10
NEW FORK BRIDGE BILLS.
He.riuE On the North River Brides Post
poHed-Ths HlnckweiI's Island Rrtdse.

Hesrins On the North River Hrides Post
poHsd-Ths Blnckweirs Isisud Bridge.
WASHINGTON. Feb. o.-At the request OF Rep
resentative Bartlett OF New York the hearing
that was 20 have been given by the House
Commerce Committee this morning TO the
representatives OF the New York and New Jer-
sey Bridge companes was postponed until
Wednesday OF next week. at which time It lie
expected that n report from Secretary Lamont
upon the merits Of the measure will be ready
to be laid before tho committee. The pend
ing bill was introduced by Mr.. Dunphy
OF New York on Jan. 70 1t Is de-
signed to meet the objections made by
the President in his recent veto OF the
former bridge bill 1t provides for the APP
polntment by the President OF a Board
consisting OF i've disinterested EXPERT en-
gineers who shall decide at what length OF
span. not less than ? 900 feet, a safe and prac-
tlcal railway bridge can he constructed.
AT the commencement OF the session Mr..
Bartlett pleaded for DELAY lie did not believe
that IL was the purpose Of tho members to rail-
road the bill through the committee and he
saw no reason why action should not he post
roned until Secretary Iamont,s report was
sented the New York Chamber OF Commerce.
which opposed the measure.
Bartlett, lis that II commits Congress to
pier in the river, and think we ought TO hear
before taking further action"
At this point. Representative Geary Of Cali.
fornia took part in the discussion. He said
spect for the President as any one else. but
that he did not see why Congress should first
learn the Presidents wishes. or consult the
wishes OF the executive departments before
leglslating. Congress was here to pass laws
without consulting anybody. AMI he added
slant Interference OF the departments in the
In W and ~ tho pragidant dOaa not Liz o than
then let him exercise his constitutional privi-
Mr. Bartiett. however. stu urged delay. In
that the Chamber Of Commerce did not want
the river and they did not believe II could be
built without one.
why It had been sent to the Secretary of War.
or why the committee should postpone the
committee ought to have acted az soon as the
Presidents veto was sent to the House
that the hearing should be made n special
order for Wednesday next. and the friends and
opponents OF the measure thereupon left the
The House Committee on Inter State and
.p Yor re 6Ie5ea tS b Ga n
ing the act Of March, 1857 authcrizing, the
construction Of a bridge across the East River
at Blackwell's Island. The bill was amended
by the committee so as to provide that the
the channels OF East River. and the pierh eads
or abutments are to be constructed on the land
side OF the harhor, or pierhead lines estab-
lishcd by law. The lowest rart OF the super
structure OF the bridge shall be not less than
49, feet above mean high water or spring
tides
Incorporated in the committees report Is a
letter from Gen. Casey. Chief OF Engineers. ad-
dressed to Secretary Lamont Gen. Casey re-
fera to the fact that the original bill passed
on March 3, 1897. provided that the bridge
should not be less than $50 feet in height. hut
elevation to 1875 feet. The brooklyn suspsn sion
bridge has a height OF only 1875 feet, and Gen.
Casey therefore sees no objection to the pro-
at Blackwelrs Island. but in his opinion the
bridge at that locality should have a clear
height OF 135 feet above mean high water
tides for the reason that the chan els on each
side OF the island are narrow and deep water
extends close up to tho shore. The com mittee
adopted this suggestion.
The bill was afterward favorably reported to
the House by Mr. Bartlett.