Evening star., 1896-01-28

same object of avoiding grade crossings
and would be much to the advantage Of the
city; also. that the increased depression
recommended by them would make the
streets left open for travel in much better
condition to be used than by the depression
called for in this bill. The change recon-
mended by them with reference to the Long
bridge would result in removing a menace
to the city from flooding, and also give in
creased facilities for the railroad and for
the public using the bridge. They are of
the opinion that the cost of the work and
Damages should be paid by the railroad, as it
will give to them facilities which they have
been anxiously wanting for a long time, and
permanently leave them in an advantageous
position. The cost to the railroad of the
depressed tracks would be about one-half
OF that for an elevated track and the
maximum would be about 3d. 900, 600 excIu-
sive Of the Long bridge"
The present plans for the Long bridge
as set forth in Mr.. McMillan's bill are as
fo!lows: The Secretary of War be author
lied and directed to cause to be construct
ed across the Virginia channel of the Po-
tomae river, near the site of the present
Long bridge, new and substantial bridge
Of iron or steel. resting on masonry piers
and provided with suitable approaches, and
with draw sufficient for the accommoda-
| ton Of navigation of said river. The bridge
| snail be SO located that its longitudinal cen
| ter line shall be normal to the general III
| rection which the Virginia channel will have
| when the Potomac river improvement is
| completed. The length of the bridge shall
| not be less than 25o0 feet. and no span
| sfall be less than go feet The piers of the
new bridge shall rest upon sufficient fo,in-
| dations, at or near the present or proposed
| bed Of the river. The superstructure of
lne bridge shall have clear head room Of
/ not less than twenty-five feet above mean
| low tide of the Potomac river, and the
bridge shall provide for a double track
railway, for roadway for highway travel,
not less than twenty feet wide, and side
walk not less than eight feet wide, side by
side, the railway and the roadway to be
separated by tight fence not less than
sixteen feet high Upon the completion OF
the new bridge herein authorized the pres
ent Long bridge. together with the piers
iounoauons and riprap about them, shall
be entirely removed: Provided, that one
half of the cost of the new bridge and one
half of the cost of the removal of the pres-
ent bridge shall be paid by the Baltimore
ana Potomac Railroad Company and that
tne work snail oe done by contract after
public advertisement, the contract to be
conditioned upon payments as herein pro
vided.
And there is HEREBY appropria ted, out of
any money In the treasury not otherwise ap-
propriated, a sum of money equal to one
half OF the cost of the work provided fo, in
lhls section, as the same may be certified
10 by the Secretary of War: Provided that
Sne-half the sum hereby appropriated shall
De PAID from the revenues of the District
OF Columbia; and provided further that
tie Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Com
pany shall maintain the said bridge i'm good
Soi,uilioii ioi ialWdy ana ordinary travel,
and Shall maintain the draw in efficient
working condition at all times, and shall
operate the same so as not to impede the
free navigation of the Potomac river at all
hours OF the day or night; and the bridge
shall at all times be and remain a free
bridge for public for ordinary travel
and the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad
Company shall give other railroad comra-
lies the right to pass over said bridge and
its approaches upon such reasonable terms
as may be agreed upon, or as the Secretary
OF War may prescribe. And il the Balti-
more and Potomac Railroad Company shall
at any time neglect TO keep said bridge in
good repair and free for public use for ortii-
Iary travel the Secretary of War may enter
into possession of the whole of said bridge
Tor and on behalf of the United States.