The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-14
WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR 1T.
The city VIII Claim Damages for the
Loss Of Its Quarantine Property.

The city viii claim damages from the
United States government if the useful
ness Of its quarantine plant is destroyed
by the projection OF the proposed harbor
lines for Strengthening the channel at the
mouth OF the river.
The harbor line runs directly across the
oity's property and while it does not touch
the quarantine officers house il would
render the use OF the plant Impossible
while the work is in progress on account
Of the removal Of the wharves and the in
ability OF vessels to get up to the station
while the work is in progress.
As the city established its plant on Long
Island before the Improvement of this
portion or the river was contemplated Il
ueilefes II mas strong claim against the
government for any damages which may
result to the plant by reason Of the harbOr
work.
This Is the position taken by Mayor Nv
ers, and which he viii uphold in cOnsid-
ering the matter with the war depart
meut, which has charge of the river and
harbOr work Not only this. but the city
VIII probably bring a claim against the
government for damages on account OF
the removal OF the former quarantine sta
ton on the oyster shell bank about half
a mile from the present station, which
was made necessary by the changing OF
the channel due 10 the work done under
the supervision Of Capt. Carter. Con-
gresham Lester, who was mayor at the
time, held that the city was entitled to
compensation for the expense incurred in
building a new station and announced his
intention of presenting a claim for same
This was never done. however, probably
because it was thought that II might in
terfere with the efforts which were then
being made to secure a large appropria-
tion for deepening the river.
The city is a trespasser on the govern
mCnt TO small extent. After the storm
Of 1898 the city secured the permission Of
the war department to build certain
Wharves and tramWays within the harbOr
line on condition that the distractions
should be removed by the city at any
time on notice from the war depart
ment. The understanding was, however,
that il would in all probability be many
years before the removal of the obstruc-
tons would be required.
The removal of the Instructions placed
within the line by the city" said Mayor
Myers. would not advance the work OF
cutting out the new channel in the slight
est, while IL would cause considerable
Inconvenience to the city. As the new
channel cuts across a portion of Long
Island, right in front of the quarantine
station, the work of cutting il out cannot
begin until some arrangement has been
made with the city and compensation for
the loss agreed upon. That being the case
/ cannot understand why the demand for
the removal of the distractions is made
upon the city at this time especially as
no appropriation has been made for this
work. The removal of the distractions
IS small matter but the disabling of
the CITY quarantine plant Is a matter
Of considerable Importance"
The city Will be compelled to select a
new location for its quarantine station
and to build a new station complete when
ever the government begins the work of
cutting out the new channel. The city is
not greatly stuck on the present loca-
ton, SO to speak, but to get new loca-
ton where a station with the necessary
plant can be erected without great ex-
pense is a problem which those familiar
with the situation know viii be very diff
fcult of solution. The city does not pro-
pose to he put to this expense if il can
help itself. Capt. Carter who is now out
of the city, will be requested to confer
with the committee OF the whole as soon
as he returns to the city.