The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-08-08
70 BRIDGE new ARK BAY
Text Of the Bills in Congress
For That Purpose-John T.
Dunn's Measure.

The following is a copy of the new
Bay Bridge bill in the House of Repre-
sentatives at Washington, now known as
the Interstate Commerce Committees
report, in lieu of House Bill 1889.
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of Amer
lea in Congress assembled, That the boards of
Chosen Freeholders of the counts of Hudson
and Union, in the State of New Jersey, or the
legally constituted authorities of the City of
Bayonne and the City of Elizabeth, as may
be determined by the authorities OF the state
of New Jersey, now or hereafter to be grant
ed, shall be, and they or either OF them are
hereby authorized TO locate, build. maintain,
equip and operate a bridge across Newark
Bay in the State of New Jersey, between the
City of Elizabeth, in the County OF Union, ana
the City of Bayonne, in the county of Hudson,
at a point not less than five hundred feet
above the present bridge structure known as
the Central Railroad bridge: Provided, That
the bridge herein authorized shall be built as
a drawbridge, with a draw giving a clear
width of opening of not less than one hum
bred feet, and said bridge shall be located and
built in such manner and under such regula-
tions for the security of navigation as the
Secretary of War may prescribe; and to Sc
cure that object the parties proposing to build
said bridge shall submit to the Secretary Of
War, for his examination and approval, a
design and drawing of the bridge and a map
of the location, and until the said plan ana
location of the bridge be approved by the Sec
retry of War the bridge shall not be commenc-
ed or built; and should any change be made
in the plans of said bridge during the progress
OF It's construction, SUCH CHdnSeS Siidi pS
subject to the approval of the Secretary OF
War: Provided, also. That the draw of said
bridge shall be promptly opened upon reason
able signal. for the passage Of vessels ana
boats; and the owners of said bridge shall
maintain thereon. from sunset to sunrise, sueh
lights and other signals as the Lighthouse
Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 2. That this shall be null and void If
actual construction of the bridge herein au-
therized be not commenced within one year
and completed within three years from the
approval of this act.
Sec. 3. That the right to alter, amend or re-
peal this act is hereby expressly reserved
The difference between this bill and
the measure originally introduced by
the Elizabeth Congressman will be ap-
preciated by reading the Dunn act as
presented by him
A BILL TO BRIDGE NEWARK BAY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United States OF Amer
lea in Congress assembled, That the legally
constituted authorities of the counties of Hud-
son and Union, in the State of New Jersey,
or the City of Bayonne and the City of f1tiza-
beth, as may be determined by the authori-
ties of the State of New Jersey, now or here
after to be granted, shall be, and they or either
of them are hereby authorized to locate, build,
maintain, equip and operate a bridge across
Newark Bay, in the State of New Jersey,
between the City of Elizabeth. in the county
Of Union. and the City of Bayonne, in the
county of Hudson, at a point not ltss tfah
five hundred feet above the present bridge
structure known as the Central Railroad bridge
the same to be built with proper draws ana
under the instructions of the Secretary OF
War. and in such a manner and under such
regulations that it will not obstruct nayiga-
ton upon the said bay: Provided, That the
said authorities shall at all times MAINTAIN
proper lights and signals and such draw at
tendance as will. upon proper signals, open
and keep open said draws during a reasonable
time for the passage of vessels at all hours
of the day and night.
: Sec. 2. That the said bridge shall be main
tanned as a public highway, and that the au-
thority so building the said bridge shall have
a right to levy a toll to continue not longer
than twenty years, or until such tolls are sui
fcient to pay the cost of said construction,
when the collection of toll shall cease, and
from thenceforth shall be forever free.
Sec. 3. That this act shall take effect i'm
mediately.
NO MORE POWERS.
The powers conferred in the new bill
are probably no greater than has been
generally supposed belonging to the State
in any case. The matter will be in the
hands of the Freeholders of Union and
Hudson counties, and nothing will be
accomplished by the act, even if it passes
unless work is begun in a year, and COM
pleted in three.
The changes made in the act are due
to the earnest efforts of Congressman
English on behalf of Newark
and thanks are due to him for his ener-
getic action.