The Nome nugget., 1902-10-11
I TIE ! TOLL
 BRIDGE:
  Dr. Bedding Gives His Side of tire Story.
STATES OByEcTIOMS
Holds That an Additional Bridge Is Not Necessary at This
 Tine.

Nome, Get. e. Editor TIE NOME 1 NCCG%T My attention la, been called to several articles published rc- gently in newspapers in Nome upon the subject of free bridge across Snake river. The articles themselves were misleading and miaintorm any who have taken the pains to read them. may therefore be pardoned for mentioning d i few facts which have not yet been pre- ,cnted in that connecticut.
 The present bridge over snake river WAS built by privste capital in the 1 spring of 1901 under an act of congress authorizing it's contraction and mninte- nance a, toll bridge, according to the provisions particularly set forth in the act, and it's construction a' the time it was buiit require large outlay 0f money. It's plan, and specifications were approved by the secretary of war, and it has been found sufficient tO accommodate the traffic over the river, end there haze been mo complaints that it i. not maintained in a proper state of efficiency.
 But 1t is proposed to bCild another bridge over e3naHe river hy private sub ScriptiCu: to commence it's construction at once. without awaiting any authority or permission from the government. or the approval of any plana, and to main- tain it, when completed. a, a free bridge.
 Objections to this gre that no ad ditional bridge i- needed oycl the river, that it is not pt rc-sary Co build another bridge in ordei to haze one owned and controlled by the mGnicipality: and that nc other bridge can he built or commenced without authority of law.
 That another bridge over Snake river i, moi needed i, loo patent to require discussion. Not oull thay, bat its con ,tructiou would involve useless waste of money and material. and the bridge i,sclf be d needless obs ruci ion to navi- ga ion. There is also uo location for bridge G> cony nyericul uud useful for the handling of the business and traffic of the city as that where the present bridge uow i-.
 That ii i- not nerrsSary to bu;ld another brilge in order to have q free bridge. i, also equally apparent. Tle law- of the District of Alaska pro, idle mean, for the acqu ,ton by the mrnici- talty of any franchise oi other private property. under the right of eminent domain. upon payment to the owuers of just compensation therefor, and also 1 provide L mcthod 0I settling the com- | penoation to he paid. The owners of the present bridge are powerless , to resist Uni, proceeding. and upon pay ment of such amount as is judicially de- termncd to hc a fair compensation, { the owner ship of the bridge passes from the owners. willing or unwilling, and becomes vested in the people. This is common right, well known and ire quently exercised b. all public corpo- ra tions everywhere.
 
 has any information on the subject that no one can b. Hid OF commence the con struction of any bridge or other struc- ture over any navigable water under the jurisdiction of the United States without authority of law. Otherwise it would be b vain and useless thing for any person to go to the trouble and eX- pense of procuring q franchise or per mission from the government, and equally so for the congress to take up its valuable time in the passage of acts which in reality meant nothing and were without effect. Nor is this to be left entirely to reasoning. Chapter H0' of vol. 26 of the United States stat utes at large, 5lst congress. expressly provide that it shall not be lawful for any person so to do. and make it mis- demeanor punishable by fine not ex- ceeding $5, 000, or by Imprisonment no. exceeding one year, or both, in the dis | erection of the court. Section : of the | act referred to, which was passed in the year 1890, provides that it shall not be lawful thereafter for any person to commence the construction of any bridge, bridge-draw. bridge pier, abut- ment, etc, in any port, roadstead | haven, harbor, navisable river or water of the United States, until the location | and plan thereof have been submitted | to and approved by the secretary of war.
 Section 10 of the same act prohibits | the creation of any obstruction of any such navigable waters under the juris- dictiop of the United States not affirm atlvely authorized by law, and provides the penalty mentioned for the violation Of either of said sections: while section II makes it the duty of officers and agents having charge on part of the United States of works for the preser- vation and improvement of navigable waters, or in their absence U. $. col lectors of customs or revenue officers, to enforce the provisions of the act by giving information to the United States district attorney of any violation.
 It has not been contended that the