The San Francisco call., 1896-03-24
Supervisors Deny the Govern
ment's Control of the
Bridges.
WILL VISIT COLONEL sUTER.
Politicians Quarrel Over Populist
Vote and There May Be
Duel.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco cALI.l

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL.l
90S Broadway, March %. !
The Board of Supervisors spent some
time to-day discussing the best mode of
procedure in the matter of the draw
bridges over the Oakland Harbor at Alice
and Webster streets. This was necessary
Clerk Jordan by Colonel Charles R. Suter
of the United States army engineer corps.
The notice set forth that it was proposed
to require the reconstruction of the draw
spans, so as to givea clear draw opening
of not less than $50 feet, the substitution OF
other than hand power for operating the
draws, and propositions looking to the
substitution of single structure in place
of the present two bridges, and that a
hearing would be held before Colonel
Charles R. Suter in his Office in San Fran
cisco on Wednesday next at IL A. M.
District Attorney Charles E. Shook ad-
dressed the board, adhering to his opinion
given that body on October 8, 1895, to the
effect that the Supervisors had no author
ity over the bridge further than to see that
it was kept in repair. 1.-THE Alice-street
bridge" he said, twas built by railroad
company, and the board had nothing
whatever to do with it. The Webster
street bridge was built by joint commits
sion, but, later, by an act of the Legisla-
ture, it was transferred to the Supervisors
for maintenance.
power to construct the bridge, as proposed,
for county has no right to come into
municipalities and do such work without
an act of the Legislature. 1t might have
the power to go ahead and widen the span
desired If it can be proven that it is not
wide enough as it is.
"The War Department has no authority
in the matter until there is sn act of Con-
gress accepting the harbor. 1t is a fact
tuary and has made Oakland a port of
entry, but the State LEGISLATURE is supreme
in the control of the bridge over it
until Congress takes some action remov-
ing that power"
The attorney dismissed the board to
present its case to Colonel Suter by pre-
pairing three facts for his consideration:
First-Powers of the board in the premises as
provided by the laws now in force.
Second-Whether the span is such now as
to be an inconvenience to commerce.
Third-Regardi the time occupied in OPP
Grating the bridge.
"Well, we certainly have pig in hole.
here, remarked Shook. why, in 1877 the
county refused TO accept this Webster
street pfiuge, Dut IL was IorCeu 10. Inc
county not only had to accept the bridge,
but was obliged to keep it in repair accord
ing to law. would suggest, if Congress
wants TO take charge of the situation, to
give IT the bridges. / feel sure the county
would surrender all rights to the the Gov
ernment if it was desired These engineers
overestimate the boards power. They
seem to think we can build new bridge at
their dictation, but we can't do anything
of the kind, according to my Judgment
The matter was referred to committee,
consisting of Supervisor w. H. Church,
County Clerk Frank G. Jordan, County
Surveyor George l.. Nusbaumer and Dis
trict Attorney Charles E. Shook, to pre-
pare the case to be presented at the hear
ing.
1t was decided that the Board of Super
visors attend the hearing in body, leav-
ing Oakland Wednesday at $3.50.