Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-11
ELM CITY BRIDGE.
Now Under Discussion at Washington-Pensi0n
 Bills Passed.
Especial to Democrat.)

Especial to Democrat)
 Washington, Feb 11.-Attention was called to the chief of engineers of the war department to the latest propost- ton in relation to the Kimberly avenue bridge, which is agitating New Haven and Orange almost constantly. The published report of the recent town meeting in West Haven was shown to the chief and he called his law clerks to find out what rights the secretary Of war had in the premises, and wheth- er the vote to instruct the selectmen of Orange to tear down the old bridge was In violation of any United States Law or not.
 After considerable discussion and consultation 1t was stated that the sec retary of war had no right to inter fere in any way. The law simply gives the secretary power to remove Instructions to navigation, but should bridge of this kind be removed there is no law which compels the secretary to interfere. It is recognized here that this is simply fight between the city of New Haven and the town of Orange. The war department has simply ordered a new bridge built and given the two towns so much time in which to do it. That is all the secre- tary of war has to do with the case Hence the selectmen of Orange can tear the bridge down, if they see fit, without interfering with the preroga- ttves of the war department.
 AS a matter of fact, the war depart ment engineers know nothing about the various phases of this bridge ques~ ton. Not single paper is on file for or against the bridge, and its construc- ton since the secretary gave his order nearly year ago for a new bridge. No further notice will be taken of the matter at the department until the time limit expires. Then there may be something of interest to the advo- catea and opponents of the new bridge. If nothing is done by that time to remove this bridge. the secre- tary of war can then order 1t de stroyed. Presumably this would be resisted and long drawn out law suit would be the result.
 In the meantime the old bridge re- mains, rising and falling with the tide. and it does not seem down here as though there wag much chance for q new bridge in the near future.
 Pension Bills Passed.
 The senate spent an hour yesterday afternoon passing private pension bills, ana iisposed of big batch. Among them were six Connecticut bills, The first one was in behalf of Mrs Mary Lneefta Arnold of Bridgeport, widow of Ldesatenant- Colonel Isaac Arnold. Jr The bill, as amended by the. com nnittee, calls for 40 per month. Sena- tor Platt introduced this bill originally at $50. Colonel Arnold served in the ordnance department of the regular
 Another bill passed by the senate was to pension Mrs Harriett E. Riley or Waterbury at the rate of S2O per month. She is the widow of Capfain W. 0. Riley of Company K, First Connecticut cavalry. This bill has al- ready passeo the house. having been introduced by Mir sperry.
 The bill to grant pension Of S2o per month to George Gardner of Nor wichtown also passed the senate. Gardner served fn New York regi. ment. Dudley R. W. Williams or West Mystic was also among the lucky ones. The bill in his behalf calls TOT S12 ,,er month. Williams is veteran of the Mexican war Both these bilis were introduced in the house by Con- gressman Brandegee, and nave all ready passed there.
 Still another bill that passed was Tn behalf of Mrs Emily Conklin of Bethel. widow of James L. Conts1'n. who served in Companv A. Firth Connecu. GU. cr1+ Volunteers. This bill calls for S24 per month. and has passed the house, hayfng been introduced by Congress" man Hil1.
 The last bflI passed was to grant a nensfon of SIP per month to Mrs Clara R GrIgwols of Merfden. She is the widow of the Rev Terrence Grfswold who served fin the war of the rebellion as 8 chaplain in 8 New York regiment
 Notes.
 Hon Edward c. Frisbie of Hartford and Judge E. M. Judd of Wall1ngford are in the city on business before the rostof1Ice department. MT Judd is the inventor of new cancelling nachiue which Is being tried in several post offices throughout the country. MT Frisbfe is interested with him i'll these machines. and both gentlemen were In consultation with the postoff1ce officials this morning relative to the work done by the machines.
 Congressman Lilley returned 10 Washington last night, after snort trtp to New York city.
 Washington, Feb. 11.--The St Louis loan claim came up in the committee of the whole of the house and was nassed 161 to 95. The senate W1ii vote on the Panama canal treaty on sonoe day between the fifteenth and +he +wentv-third of February. An agreernent was reached fn executive session to-day to decide upon a time for action and 1t was decided the ro+e aho,,id be taken before the twen-