The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-15

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House Co..srse Cs--ittee.
WARRINGTON Feb 1.-THE friends and ou-
ponents Of the New York and Hudson River
Bridge bill had hearing before the House
Commerce Committee this morning. The New
York Chamber Of Commerce was represented
By Messrs. Gustav II. schwab /. r. Romaine.
and Mr.. ooykendshL Ex-Congressman Phil II
Thompson. Charles II. swan, and James F.
sparkman appeared for the bill Several
weeks ago Secretary Lamont was requested
TO give his views REGARDING the advisability
OF constructing the bridge and how II should
be constructed. The Secretary referred the
committees request to Gen. Casey, the chief
Of engineer, OF the army.
Gen. Casey's report was laid before the com
mittee to-day Gen. Casey suggests a few
changes in the pending bill, the more impor.
tant OF which Is that the said bridge shall
be constructed with . single span over the
entire river between towers or piers located
between the shore and the established pier
head lines In either state. and no pier or other
obstruction, either temporary or permanent
In character. shall be constructed in the river
between the said towers or piers. and the said
bridge shall AFFORD. under any conditions OF
load or temperature. q minimum clear head
way above high water OF spring tides OF not
less than $50 feet at the centre OF the span.
hhu plhub anu SPECIFICATIONS, WIN tne
necessary drawings OF said bridge. shall be
submittedto the Secretary OF War for approval.
and before such approval the construction
shall not be begun. and should any change be
.s sas In s snSb pIfns aSrins pr9fTsis o con
mitted to him and approved By him before
made" Gen. Casey also reeomms nds that the
appoint a board OF expert bridge engineers
wha shall decide what Is a safe length Of span
Mir. Thompson Of Kentucky, speaking
for the bridge company, said that the bill
been drawn to meet the Objections msde
by the President In hls veto messsae; The
sinSIe sp nS The most TsIisSle t ss
that the com pany could get from the greatest
bridge eneneers. who had made careful cal.
culatlons. was that 1t could not be done They
calculated that a span Of over $500 feet could
not be safely built Gen. Casey. chief. OF
built II was a question with expert engi.
neers whether span Of 2.SOO feet would sus-
fc. II the bill passed in the form proposed by
the War Department It would deny the city the
Ths OF
merce above this point passed under bridges
the vetoed bill could be built. Should this
Ing was out Of his line. The o way to settle
s sSs %sasr un. aaDsG engineer. board sad St
them decide the question. Gen. Casey could
be tho head Of the Board. The company
decision and build the largest spsn pr.ctiea.
BILE. Two great States. New York and New
Jersey, wanted the bridge. New Jersey was
willing TO have pier built on their eide OF the
Thompson spoke OF the numb Der OF passengers
and the amount Of freight that crossed the
river yearly. and made a final appeal to have
the length OF the span lett to competent
Representative Bartlett Of Now York spoke
for the New York Chamber OF commerce and
In favor OF tho bill as ame nded by the Score
1y 81 S M 9Is pss
favored q bridge. but did not want one that
would interfere with commerce. IL the pier
was built the obstruction would become
river would lodge about the structure. and in
time and island would be formed
In reply to Mr. Patterson Dem. Tenn Mr..
out a bridge than TO have a pier in the river.
The President.tn hisIveto message said that
pier was not necessary. The important Ques-
ton was to meet this objection. He was OF tho
by Mr.. Dunphy It would be again vetoed. as
the oh Of objection still remained.
Mr.. Gustav Schwab Of the Chamber OF Com
In the river and said that promine nt engineers
had expressed the opinion that 1t was unnsc-
essary.
posed pier and spoke OF the Importance, Of the
commerce Of the Hudson River. A pier In the
river at the point proposed would add to the
cost OF comm ODDITIES brought to that section by
water, as 1t would greatly increase the cost OF
L T. Romains OF the Maritime Exchange op-
posed the pier and said that there was no gen.
eral demand for the bridge
the bill and postponed final action until Friday
next