The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-05
EGAN is SATISFIED
TO LEAVE PLAN OF BRIDGE WITH
WAR DEPARTMENT.
GAINED WHAT He SOUGHT
THIS WAS 4 SAFEGUARD FOR THE
COMMERCE OF SAVANNAH.

President Egan of the Central Rail-
way md Hon. w. w. Osborne Re-
turned Yesterday From Washing
tOn-Mr. Egan Said That the Cen
trail Feels Assured That the War
Department VIII See That No Plan
of Construction Is Followed That
VIII Iniure the POrt-Mr. Osborne
Holds That the Whole Matter Is
Now Settled-Amen dment, as a
Matter of Form, Was Tackled on
the Dill.
The same train brought President
John M. Egah of the Central Railway
and Hon. w. w. Osborne back to Sa-
Vannah from Washington yesterday.
They met frequently on the trip from
Washington, and talked generally
about many matters. About the pro-
posed bridge across the Savannah
rivers<however, they did not talk.
This reticence was maintained, in a
degree, when they reached the city and
were seen by a representative of the
Morning News. Neither had very
much to say about his mission to
Washington, though Mr.. Osborne had
less to say even than did President
Egan.
1--WE feel assured" said Mr.. Egaa,
that the War Department will adopt
all precautions to insure the erection
of such a bridge as will not interfere
with the commerce of Savannah. This
was what we sought from the time
that we voiced opposition to- any pro-
ject that would call for the establish
ment of piers in the river"
While in Washington Mr.. Egan call
ed at the War Department, where he
learned the course that win be follow
ed. When it has been signed by the
President, the bill will be referred to
the Secretary of War, who, in turn,
will refer 1t to an officer or officers of
the engineering corps of the
army. BY this officer or Board of
Officers an investigation of the plans
of the Georgia and Alabama Terminal
Company will be made, and report
will be presented to the Secretary of
War.
Some comfort is found by Mr.. Egan
in an opportunity that will be given
any and all, who may care to do so,
to file objections to the erection of the
bridge. Such objections will receive
| the careful consideration of the officer
of officers who pass upon the plans
Mr.. Osborne said that he was very
| glad the bill had passed. The whole
| matter has been settled, he said, the
signature of the President being but a
matter of form and certain to follow
the adoption of the bill by both houses.
The Senate tackled an amendment
upon the bill This was such a sec
ton, however. as is contained in all
bridge bills. 1t was as follows
That the bridge constructed, main
tanned and operated under this act
and according to it's limitations shall
be a lawful structure, and shall be
! recognized and known as post route,
upon which 40 higher charge shall be
made for the transportation over the
same of the mails, the troops and the
munitions of war of the United States
than the rate per mile paid for trans
portation of said malls, troops, and
munitions over the railroads and pub
| lie highways leading to said bridge;
and the United States shall have the
right of way for postal, telegraph and
| telephone purposes over said bridge;
and all telephone and telegraph COM
panies shall be granted equal rights
and privileges in the construction and
operation of their lines across said
bridge"
Mr.. Egan, In discussing the matter,
seemed quite satisfied with the pros
pect. He said that eyes had been
opened to the danger that it would
mean to the interests of the port if
piers should construct the stream. He
believes that the shipping interests
will render such protests against any
plans that might not be absolutely
safe that the War Department would
not consent to their being carried out.