Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-21
WITHOUT A DRAW.
chiefEniinser's Report on Bridge Be. tween East Hartford and Hart ford.


 Washington, Feb 2f.-rThe secretary of war this morning transmitted to the house committee on interstate and for eign commerce the report of the chief of engineers on the proposition to build the bridge between Hartford and East Hartford without a draw. The report is in the shape of letter to the secrc- tary of war from the chief engineers, and is as follows:
 February 20. 1905. "Ilon William II. Taft. Secretary of
 War:
 "Sir: 1. have the honor to return herewith letter dated the 17th instant from the committee oh interstate and foreign commerce. of the house of rep iesentatiyes. enclosing. for the views of the war department thereon. II. R. 19Ol3 tifty-eighth congress. third ses- sion. A bill to amend an act entitled an act to authorize the board of com missioners for the Connecticut bridge and highway district to construct bridge across the Connecticut river at Hartford in the state of Connecticut
 ':as. In 1902 application was made to the secretary of war by the Connecti- cut bridge and highway district for ap. proval of plans for bridge proposed to be built across the Connecticut It;er at Hartford. under authority of state law. Under date of May 26. 1902. he informed the commissioners in reply [" their application that. inasmuch as ihc Connecticut river is an interstate waterway. it would not be lawful to construct bridge over it without the ccnsent of congress. and that if the consent of congress could he obtained. any bridge built hereunder should he provided with suitable draw for the passage of boats. Accordingly a bill was introduced in congress permitting the construction of the bridge. AS first introduced it was intended to au- thOrize drawless bridge. The draft of the bill was referred to the war de. partnient for report. and on account of the opposition which developed among those interested in the navigation of the river above Hartford, it was recom- mended that it be amended so as to provide that the bridge should be built as a high bridge suitable for the pass. .gc of Connecticut river steamers and tows. or as a draw-bridge with q draw in the main channel of at least ninety feet clear opening. Subsequently, in January. 1909. a. bill was again intro. duced. emitting the requirements for :, Graw-bridge. and providing for the con- struction of q bridge. the plans to he approved by the secretary of war In reporting on this bill. the department again took the position that q draw. bridge should he constructed.
 '':::. At that time the matter of ex- tending navigation by locks and dams on the Connecticut river between Hart ford and Springfield was under consid. eration. an examination and estimates for this stretch of the river having been ordered in the river and harbor act of June F. 1902. and the possibility of So extending navigation was one of the upon inc provision for draw in this bridge. Since then the report of the bcanl on the extension of navigation to Springfield has been rendered ana fs adverse.
 '4. While not anticipating the ac. fion of congress in regard to adopting the project for improving the Connecfi- cut river above Hartforl. it may he thought that the adverse report of the board is sufficient ground for permit ting the construction of this bridge without a draw.
 J. understand from the views verbally expressed by you that q ia. vorIblc recommendation will he pre scented on the proposition 10 build the bridge without a draw on condition that provision be made in the law for a draw whenever the interests of navf- zation may require it. In my opinion the following addition to H. k. i9..Is will accomplish that result:
 Provided, That tine owners of said bridge shall. at their own expense. place a draw in the bridge whenever >c ordered by the secrefsry Of war. the said draw to he built at such location ard to afford such clear openings as he may .ls--i.ic to Ipe pes->-ary in the in terest of navixatIon-
 -very respectfully.
 "A NkENZIE-