The San Francisco call., 1899-08-01
NATIONAL PLANS
FOR WASHINGTON
STREET BRIDGE
Solution Of Difficulty
Is Proposed.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
90S Broadway. July 81.

yUc bIOdNlN j u4S DA-
The trouble over the Westinghouse
bridge is now in fair way to disappear,
The situation of affairs a present points
to an abandonment of Washington avenue
as a thoroughfare in the FrultVale oiS-
trict.
]. r. TaIcott. chairman of Supervisors,
sent the following letter to w. H. Heuer'
major. Corps of Engineers, United states
army:
OAKLAND July "a 99-W H Heuer, Esq.
major Corps of Engineers. L. S. A.-Dear Sir:
In yours of July 81 to the Board OF Supervisors
of Alameda County you say LAS cannot build
two combined bridges starting from common
point etc, and asking US 10 waive the con
struction of any bridge for highWay Iaint nc
across canal other than that proposed at
Fruitvale avenue, between Park and HIgh
streets 1 would say:
the above that the railroad company will not
require bridge on Washington avenue ana
that they also have been requested 10 waive
their right of way on said Washington avenue
Are We correct? Respectfully yours.
J. r. TALCOTT. Chairman Supervisors.
The reason for the delay, according to
Major Heuer's reply. which is quite
lengthy depends upon the necessity OF
things, as it is compulsory 10 oqlIu m In Ile
bridge before the tidal canal can be COM
pleted The most important section OF
the letter is as follows:
The railroad company expressed a willing
10 waive the construction OF pFldse
ment would furnish a right OF way, ana lay
tracks the same, connecting by snort
practiCa BILE route the proposed EGultNdle ave
nue. bridge with existing Fernslde- MeIrose
track This appeared fair and equitable, and
if IL could have been accomplished would nave
saved the Government expense OF at least
$50 600. 1t was ascertained, however that there
was no law which would permit OF the ac-
ceptance of such terms and such solution
could not be further considered.
The railroad company could not De expected
to purchase the strip of land above referred TO
and lay track same at an expense or SIo'ouV
to $l2 600 without some compensatlng adVan-
tage and in the absence of law the Govern
rnent could transfer TO the railroad COM
pany a strip of land and connecting track,
even though all the advantages. were on the
side of the Government The exchange. II 1t
could be so called, would require special action
bv Congress and If authorized would require
that the land necessary for the connection be
acquired by condemnation proceedings. Judg-
ing from what has occurred in the past In
similar proceedings of this work, this would
have DELAYED the completion Of the tidal canal
for at least six years, to the detriment OF the
work itself and to the prejudice OF the peo-
pie of Alameda County
The matter now rests with you. As yet l
have no legal waiver of your right to nigh
way bridge at Washington avenue am
looking solely to the rapid completion of the
wor& as authorized by Congress. II you waive
the right to a highway bridge at Washington
avenue Internationally, l believe the work of
completing Oakland harbor can go on uninter-
ruptedly If you cannot see your way clear
to do this. the work must cease as soon as
have made contracts for and completed High
street and Fruitvale avenue bridges, and be
action. furnishes funds and authorizes
change in the existing project. Very respect
fully W. II. HEQER
Major Corps of Engineers, L. S. A