The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-27
a earefully prepared and eoneIse &C.

A carefully prepared and concise &C.
count OF the proceedings that led up to
the public hearing on Friday last be-
fore the board OF government engi-
neers, ON the Pan Handle railroads Pc
tition for a change OF the harbor lines,
was presented to council By City Engi-
neer White. HIS communication deserv-
~ the favorable comment passed on u
,bV ali who heard It. Acting in line with
his recommendations, q committee OF
council was appointed. 1t consists OF
Mayor Butts. President Chew, City 80
lIeltor Nesbitt, City Engineer White,
First branch members Stroebel, Bach
man, Dawson, HorlSheimer and the tol-
Towing members OF the Second-Berry,
Fair, Hoe and Megrail.
The city engineers letter was as tol-
WHEELING, W. Va, July 20, 1895.
Hon. Mayor and Council, Wheeling, W.
Va.
GenGiemen:--As YOU probably know, q
board Of United States engineers, COM
posed Of Major Powell, OF PITTSBURGH;
Major Bixby, Of Cincinnati, and Cap
4ain Warren, of Louisville. gave q pub
e hearing here at the rooms OF the
chamber Of commerce last Friday
morning, July q, in reference TO the
petition Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company to the secretary OF war TO
chsuEe the harbor lines established 40
iris port by the United States govern
nent.
n was the purpose OF this meeting 20
give the public an opportunity to be
heard upon tine propriety Of granting
fhe request OF the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. The meeting was sup
noeei 10 be advertised. but Il seems that
nut few citizens Of wheeling knew OF
fhs meeting, or recognized Its lmpOr-
fance, Having attended the meeting as
city engineer, by personal request OF
Major Bixby, I deem 1t my duty to re-
ToF;t TO your honorable body the pro-
ceedingB Of the meeting in so far as
they concerns the city, and to call your
attention to the Importance OF the har-
Dor lines to this port, and 10 make GER
tain suggestions for your careful con-
federation.
An havigaIble streams and water ways
are owned or controlled by the United
States government for the benefit Of all
the people Of the United States.
TO properly protect and improve such
water ways tho war department,
authority Of Congress, has made sur
VIEW OF the most important ports Of
the United States, and after n careful
consideration Of an interests involved,
hag established certain lines or boun-
darieS called harbor lines, beyond which
4 4 unlawful 10 dump rubbish or Gin
ders or construct buildings or tracks.
Thl1 regulation the United States gov
ernment enforces by severe penalties.
m establishing harboT lines. present
conditions and requirements are not
SSono considered, but the future IL an
fIcipated and provided for. In a large
nnViGablo stream Hike the Ohio river
two main objects are consideredr First,
ripnfdan rights; IT, capacity to carry
an Hood water with the least possible
d1maeo to riparian owners. Second,
~ value as n means Of transportation.
THE Argt demands that the crossed sec
fion Of the channel be the greatest per-
msrible, because M width Of channel
h narrowed itB depth miBt be CORE
rpondineiy increased to give tho neces-
- cr0ss-sectioR TO accommodate the
Glms volume q water. The second de-