Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-03-03
CONGRESS- AFTER OHIO RIVER BRIDGES.

The action Of Congress in requiring
the Secretary of War to institute in
vestigations as to the old bridges
across the Ohio which are hindrances
to navigation, may be of great import
ance to Marietta. Last year the Balti-
more G. Ohio Railroad Company made
a survey from near Grafton down Mid
die Island Creek and SO on across to
the Ohio Valley at Ben's Rum about
twenty-four miles above here, and
crossing over to this side, coming into
Marietta and joining the tracks of the
b.. e o. here This survey was very
favorable for line with easy grades
and few tunnels and comparatively
cheap construction. 1t was an enter
prise in which this city was very much
interested. inasmuch as it would place
us on the main line of the B. & o., and
relieve us from the infliction of travel
ing over the present route of that road
from Parkersburg on East. We say
infliction because no passenger will
travel through thirty odd tunnels and
over the rough grades of that line if
he can help it.
1t has been claimed recently that it
is proposed to reconstruct the Parkers-
burg bridge and thus render it safe for
the heavy machinery, cars and engines
which are now not allowed to cross.
This might be done in either of two
ways: Build new piers and new super
structure or leave the piers where they
are and build new superstructure. I'm
der the present action of Congress,
however, it will not be a one-sided
transaction, for the War Department
will require the piers to be set farther
apart-there can be no doubt about
that, so that the B. & o. people will
be face to face with a dilemma, wheth-
er to build the new line with a new
bridge at or near Ben's Run or rebuilc
the old bridge at Parkersburg anu
new bridge.
This is why we said this movement
means much to Marietta. 1t may
however, turn out all right, because
the B. & o. can not abandon it's line
through Parkersburg, and must have a
bridge there suitable for all purposes,
and even if the Parkersburg bridge
should be rebuilt, the rocky old road
with it's smoky tunnels and the same
demand for the new line, will remain.
The following is the amendment in
the River and Harbor Bill just passed,
relating to Ohio River bridges:
The Secretary of War is authorized
and directed to prepare a list of the
bridges upon the Ohio River which are
an impediment to safe and convenient
navigation, and the nature and extent
of the notifications required therein,
and report the same to Congress, to-
gether with information as to whether
necessary changes in said bridges can
be secured under existing law, and If
not, what steps are necessary in order
to secure proper changes or modifica-
tions in said bridges, and an estimate
of the cost thereof: Provided, That the
Attorney-General is authorized and di-
rected to furnish, upon the request of
the Secretary of War, an opinion upon
the question whether the owners of
these bridges, or any of them, can be
required, under existing laws, to make
the necessary changes at their own ex-
pense; and if not. what steps will he
necessary to secure such changes,
whl>h oririon shall accompany the re-
po:t ~ the Secretary of War to Con
gr"ss.