Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-23
ENGINEERS REPORT.
The Light House Point Property Dis-
 cussion at New Haven,

Washington, Feb 23-The chief of engineers of the army has transmitted, through Congressman Sperry. to the mayor of the city of New Haven, his rullng as to the proposition to have the ely of New Haven acquire the gov ernment property at Light House Polnt. By q vote of the board of alder men, approved May 23, 1904, the mayor and corporation counsel were instruct ed to secure this property from the government, if possible. to be used as q public park and to be held in the same manner as Fort Hale park. Since that time the corporation counsel has been trying to find way to get the land owned by the government
 Lieutenant-COlOnel Charles F. Pow. ell. in charge of all such property in | Connecticut, reports to the chief of en- gineers. under date of February IS, as follows:
 ''Thc lighthouse reservation named. | being one acre in extent and having d stone lighthouse with tower. brick | dwelling, and some small frame struc lures in poor condition. was trans ferred to the war department in 1896 with a view to the possible use of the property in connection with the de- | fense of New Haven.
 l The reservation was used as such defense gin .1SaS. X project for the submarine defense of the harbor was approved by the secretary of war, April l2, lu1. In compliance with direc- tion of June 1. 1904. submitted, June I6. lG4. an estimate of cost of struc- lures proposed at the reservation foi purposes of the mine defense Tn 1903 l statioped an inspector at the tower to observe dumping of dredg- lngs in Long Island Sound off the har. Dor entrance: have used the tower as station in survey of the harbOr and had in view to repeat that and use other parts of the property in cOnnec- ton with operations at an adjacent projected breakwater, when occasion may require.
 -Four ten-inch $. B. Rodman guns with carriages and implements have been stored at the premises; one of the guns has Just now been transferred, by authority. for the town of North Haven. The chief ordnance has re- gently taken action looking to the pub lie sale of the remainder of this ord nance property.
 "The reservation and property there have been in care of a custodian liy- ing at the premises, but without pay, except salary of $l0 per month from the United States weather bureau for display of weather signals at the tower.
 Caring for the property by an un- paid custodian and prevention of it's use for commercial purposes have not been satisfactory.
 II have communicated with tie mayor. other officials and citizens of New Haven as to the desired transfer of the premises to the city for park purposes. It appears that if the trans Ter is effected the city's park commis- sion would have charge. station one of its employees there and keep the grounds and structures in good con trol. order and repair. and permit use of the premises by United States em- ployes for purposes of the harbor i'm rrovcment, as required by the rn- gfnecr officer in charge.
 'Aftcr considering the matter and Judging that there is no likelihood for several years. if at all, for erecting de- fensivc or other structures at the rcser- walton. l recommend q five year. re vokable lease nf the premises to the city of New Haven for park purposes under the act of July 2S. 1899. provid- ing for limited leases of certain United states property. and under the condi- ti"ns. in lieu of rental. that the prem isr> may bc used by United States employees for purposes of the New Ha- ven harbor improvement ar survey as required by the engineer officer in charge. and that accommodation he given the weather bureau for display of signals at the tower
 This recommendation of Lieutenant Colonel Powell is approved ny tho chief of engineers. who says that tine solution proposed by Lieutenant-C Co., onel Powell would seem to he very sat isfactory as far as the engineer corps k concerned. General Mckenzie also Ssys: There would appear to he To rrasOn wEy the privilege should noi c"ntinue for five year periods with tie understanding that the United State. could resume possession at any time the use of this site by the United States government if neressary-
 This opinion of the engineer in c,riee would indicate that the city could at, quire this property practically for all time by renewing the lease at the ex- Piration of every five years