Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-30
AWAITS AMENDMENT
Law AUTHORIZING REcoNsTRUc-
TON OF ANAcosTIA BRIDGE.
Item inserted In Annual Estimates
Rendered Necessary by Changes
in Bulkhead Lines.

There will be no actual work done Oh the
| new Anacostia bridge across the Eastern
| branch until the law authorizing the re-
| construction of the bridge has been amend
ed satisfactorily by Congress A number
| OF questions have arisen in connection with
this bridge project. and Corporation Coun-
sci Duvall has suggested that some changes
in the original law should be made. The
| changes suggested have been embodied in
new item prepared by Col Biddle. to be
inserted in the District estimates.
I Subsequent to the passage of the appro-
priation bill which authorized the recon-
struction of the Anacostia bridge at a cost
not exceeding $3.50, 600 the War Department
made change in the bulkhead lines along
the Eastern branch This change in lines,
| 1t is stated. necessitated that the bridge be
made considerably longer. that its founda-
| tons be deeper and that change be made
| in the location of the sites for the APP
| proaches. 1t was also found necessary to
| Increase the cost of the project to $375,000.
| Corporation Counsel Duva1I. who was ask
/ ed for an. opinion as to various questions
| involved in the reconstruction of the bridge,
states that after an examination of the
| maps and abstract of title to certain land
| needed for the approaches to the bridge he
| finds that the title to the land is far from
| being in satisfactory condition.
| Mr.. DuvalPs Opinion.
! ut appears" says Mr.. Duval. that the
United States has title to some of the land
desired to be used, with a claim for more.
! 1t seems also that some of the land belongs
| to private owners and they dispute the
| title of the United States to another part,
| claiming for themselves.
by the act of April q, 1904, Congress ap-
| propriated 100000 for the reconstruction
, of the AnacostIa bridge. under direction of
the Commissioners of the District of Co.
| lumbia.' and authorized the Commissioners
| to enter into contract or contracts for the
| reconstruction of the bridge at cost not
| to exceed $250.000, to be paid from time to
| time as appropriation therefor may be made
! by law
How far the location of the new or re-.
constructed bridge is to vary from it's pres
ent site am not advised. There is some
variation, however. otherwise the acquisi-
ton of more land would be unnecessary;
and 1t might be questioned whether the
lection of new site and the building of
bridge thereon would be a reconstruction
| within the meaning of the law, SO as to
make the appropriation available for the
latter purpose.
Omissions Noted.
Moreover, there is no authority con-
| tanned in the act for the condemnation of
| land for the use of this bridge though this
omission might be supplied by the general
| authority contained in section 4S3 of the
| coue, WHEREBY condemnation proceedings
| are authorized whenever land is needed for
| sites of school houses, or for right of
| way for sewers, or for any other municipal
| purpose authorized by Congress-. Again,
J there is no appropriation made for the pay
! ment of the land to be acquired for the APP
| proaches to the bridge"
In view of the unsatisfactory condition
| of the title and the other questions involv-
| ed, Mr.. Duyall is of the opinion that fur
| Their action at the hands of Congress Is
! highly advisa BILE. He recommends that
Congress be requested to amend the act in
question, SO as to permit the erection of
new bridge on the same or an adjacent ste;
| SO as to give the Commissioners express au-'
| thority to institute proceedings for the con-
| demnation of land necessary for the APP
| proaches to the new bridge. Also that Con-
! gress make an appropriation to pay Tor the
/ land to be condemned, or give the Commits
| soners the authority to use for that pur-
| pose a portion of the fund already appro-
| priated, requiring the payment into court
| of the value, as ascertained under the con-
| demnation proceedings. of the land the
| title to which is in dispute. the parties
claiming the land or the fund to litigate
| therefor, as they may be advised.