The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-04-10
A FREE RIVER SOON.
The Action of Monongahela
Viewers of Vast Import.
THEIR AWARD is So, 76l, 6l5.46.

Inv iNtioh VI hOhOhS uutld
Viewers of Vast Import.
THEIR AWARD is SO, 61,615.46.
The Company Not Likely to Take an
Appeal-AIl Tolls May Cease by July
1.-The Government appropriation
Available as Soon as the Proceedings
Are Concluded ivermen and Coal
Operators Greatly Rejoiced--What
Navigation Stockholders Say OF the
Award--Col. Schoonmaker Personal
Iy Not in Favor Of Appealing.
PITTsBURG, April 3.-The Mo
nongahela Navigation Company's
property has been officially estimated
to be worth 80, 76l ,615.46. The board
of viewers appointed to make the es-
innate in the condemnation proceed
ings instituted by the government
has filed it's decision, and the amount
was as stated. The company's val
uation was much higher, being So
100000. If the company accepts
the estimate and it is also accepta-
BILE to the secretary of war, the Mo
nongahela river can be made free
stream for navigation by the first of
next July. The money for it's pur-
chase is immediately available.
IF the river becomes Gree the
coming summer, it will be the first
time in over half century that such
has been the case. More than half
a century ago the Monongahela
Navigation Company commenced
taking toll on the river and it has
continued 1t uninterruptedly since.
A free stream will be great gain
for the coal and steamboat interests
and will be great help in enabling
the coal interests to compete with
those of other fields.
WILL THEY APPEAL?
The amount Of the award is prob
ably not up to the expectations of
the Navigation Company, and wheth-
er it will accept it is not known.
Either the company or the govern
ment has the right to appeal to the
United States supreme court in case
the decision of the board of viewers,
if affirmed by the circuit court, is
not acceptable. The board of view
ers is composed Of the following
well-known citizens: Charles Z.
Andrews, George w. Dilworth, J. V.
Thompson, Stephen G. McCandless,
William Metcalf, Samuel M. Jack
son and William McConway.
Cola j. M. Schoonmaker, one of
the prominent and influential stock
holders in the company, made this
frank and explicit statement last
evening to reporter, who saw him
at his residence in the East End:
Il am disappointed at the amount
of the award, as l really think the
property is worth more money to it's
owners. On the other hand, l have
always favored free navigation, and
am willing to accept the award as
made in good faith by competent
commission, and as far as have
any influence will urge it's accept
ance on the part of the company.
An official of the company who
was seen last evening said he didn't
know whether or not the company
would accept the award. He said
the bonds of the company would be
paid, If the sale was effected, but
whether by the company or the gov
eminent he did not know. The
bonds run into the next century.
THE NEXT STEP TO BE TAKEN
The next step in the acquisition
of the property by the government
is the passing upon the award by
Judge Acheson of the United States
circuit court. If it is approved and
is acceptable to the company, it will
then rest with the secretary of war
as to whether the amount awarded
by the viewers will be paid by the
government
The money to pay for the proper
ty is Immediately available, as the
secretary Of war has been authorized
to draw his warrant on the United
States treasury for the amount of
said jud gment and costs.
The Commercial Gazette's Wash
ington correspondent interviewed
Congressman John Dalzell on the
matter of the award made by the
viewers as to the value of the plant
of the navigation company. When
asked what the next proceedings
would be under the order of condem-
nation, Mr.. Dalzell said:
''In case the award is satisfactory
District Attorney Hall will probably
forward the award to his superior
officer, the attorney general, and that
official will then transmit it to the
secretary of war. If he approves of
it, the government will then take
possession of the property of the
Monongahela Navigation Company
and the amount of award will be at
once paid over.
THE MONEY is READY.
1.-THE river and harbor bill passed
through the last congress fully COW
cred all the questions connected with
the condemnation proceedings, in
Guiding the payment Of it. By ref
erence to that law you will find the
following clause: "And upon final
Judgment being entered therein, the
secretary of war, if in his opinion
the Judgment is reasonable, is here
by authorized and directed to draw
his warrant on the treasury for the
amount of said judgment and costs,
and said amount for the payment
thereof is hereby appropriated out
of any moneys in the treasury not
otherwise appropriated"
The condemnation proceedings
were instituted by the secretary of
war under the authority Of the river
and harbor act of June 8, 1896.
WHAT THE VIEWERS SAY.
The viewers, in their report, recite
the fact that they met and were
sworn as to the faithful performance
of their duties December, 1S, 1896.
They then adjourned and ON Deem
81 and %, 1896, they viewed as far
as possible the property of the COM
pany in the presence of the agents
and officers of the company and of
United. States District Attorney
7 X