span and location by any action taken by his predecessors. In so far as I know, the clear height required below the bridge to permit the passage of the class of vessels now seeking access to the island of Manhattan is so great as to render the construction of a bridge across any part of the channel through which they must pass impracticable. Should any bridge be deemed necessary its span and height as well as location must be fixed with the greatest care, so as to cause no obstruction to navigation now or in the future. Very respectfully, CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, H. L. STIMSON, United States Senate. O CONGRESS BRIDGE ACROSS HUDSON RIVER BETWEEN NEW YORK CITY AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY. AUGUST 9, 1912.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. M. E. DRISCOLL, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany S. 5659.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (S. 5659) to supplement and amend an act entitled "An act to authorize the New York and New Jersey Bridge Companies to construct and maintain a bridge across the Hudson River between New York City and the State of New Jersey," approved June 7, 1894, having considered the same, report thereon with amendment and as so amended recommend that it pass. Amend the bill as follows: Strike out all of section 1 after the enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following: That the act of Congress entitled "An act to authorize the New York and New Jersey Bridge Companies to construct and maintain a bridge across the Hudson River between New York City and the State of New Jersey," approved June seventh, eighteen hundred and ninety-four (Twenty-eighth Statutes, page eighty-nine), be, and the same is hereby, amended as to extend the time for the completion of the said bridge and approaches therefor for ten years from the date of the approval of this act. Provided, That this act shall not be construed as authorizing the building of said bridge in accordance with plans heretofore approved by the Secretary of War, but drawings showing the location and plans of said structure shall again be submitted to him for his consideration and approval before construction shall be entered upon: And provided further, That actual work hereunder and in accordance with such plans so approved must be commenced within three years after the approval of this act or in default thereof the grantees shall forfeit all rights and privileges hereby and herein granted. The following is the report of the Senate Committee on Commerce: The Committee on Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (S. 5659) to supplement and amend an act entitled "An act to authorize the New York and New Jersey Bridge Companies to construct and maintain a bridge across the Hudson River between New York City and the State of New Jersey," approved June 7, 1894, having considered the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it pass with amendment. The bill has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the following communication from that department favoring passage of this bill with certain amendments, which have been duly incorporated: Washington, March 7, 1912. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. By an act of Congress approved June 7, 1894 (28 Stat. L., 89), the Federal Government gave consent to the construction of a bridge across Hudson River, between New York City and the State of New Jersey, by the New York and New Jersey Bridge Companies. General plans for the proposed bridge were approved by the department March 13, 1896, and detailed plans were approved May 24, 1899. Subsequently plans showing certain modifications in the structure were presented to the department and these were approved by the Secretary of War under date of July 3, 1900. As approved, the plans provide for a clear span of 2,730 feet in length between the established harbor lines on each side of the river, with a vertical clearance of 150 feet above mean high water throughout this distance. It is understood that the aforesaid act has become null and void by virtue of the failure of the grantee to meet the requirements thereof, and that the object of the accompanying bill, S. 5659, is to revive the statute and extend the time for completing the authorized structure. Under date of February 19, 1912, I had the honor to make report, in response to a request from the Senate Committee on Commerce, on Senate bill 4978, a similar measure having reference to a franchise granted by Congress to the North River Bridge Co. by act approved July 11, 1890. (26 Stat. L., 268.) In that report (S. Rept. No. 419, 62d Cong., 2d sess.) I set forth in full the status of the two projects for bridging the Hudson River at New York City; invited attention to the changes in navigation conditions and requirements that have occurred since the passage by Congress of the two acts in question; and expressed the opinion that instead of reviving the old measures it would be better to have the matter reopened by an entirely new bill combining the best features of both. I added, however, that if S. 4978 was to be given favorable consideration it should be amended by inserting a provision that would require the construction of the bridge in accordance with new plans satisfactory to the Secretary of War and to be hereafter approved by him. That report is equally applicable to this bill (S. 5659) now under consideration, and I beg to submit a copy thereof with recommendation that it be transmitted to the committee as expressive of the views of the department on the proposition. I have indicated in red on the bill the amendment suggested in the memorandum. W. H. BIXBY, Chief of Engineers, United States Army. [Third indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, March 7, 1912. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Commerce, United States Senate, inviting attention to the preceding indorsement hereon and to the accompanying copy of memorandum and of amended bill referred to. O ROBERT SHAW OLIVER, BRIDGE ACROSS MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AITKIN COUNTY, MINN. AUGUST 9, 1912.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. STEVENS of Minnesota, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 26099.] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 26099) authorizing the towns of Ball Bluff, Libby, and Cornish, in the county of Aitkin, Minn., to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River, in Aitkin County, Minn., having considered the same, report thereon with amendment and as so amended recommend that it pass. The bill as amended has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the letter attached and which is made a part of this report. Amend the bill as follows: Strike out, on page 1, line 6, the words "public highway." [Second indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, 1. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. 2. The accompanying bill, H. R. 26099, Sixty-second Congress, second session, authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River in Aitkin County, Minn., is in the usual form and makes ample provision for the protection of naviga tion interests. 3. So far as those interests are concerned, I know of no objection to its favorable consideration by Congress. W. H. BIXBY, Chief of Engineers, United States Ármy. [Third indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, August 8, 1912. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, United States House of Representatives, inviting attention to the foregoing report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army, and to accompanying copy of bill referred to. O JOHN C. SCOFIELD, 62D CONGRESS, 2d Session. } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. { REPORT No. 1169. THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE WOMEN OF THE CIVIL WAR. AUGUST 10, 1912.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. Mr. PICKETT, from the Committee on the Library, submitted the following REPORT. [To accompany H. R. 20578.] The Committee on the Library, to whom was referred the bill H. R. 20578, having had same under consideration, report it back to the House with the recommendation that it do pass. The National Society of the Women of the Civil War was organized in Dubuque County, State of Iowa, June 15, 1909. The objects of the society are purely patriotic and charitable, and it has for its purpose the acquiring of real estate for memorial halls wherein may be safely kept mementos and relics, also for safe-keeping of records of the soldiers, sailors, and marines of the Civil War and of their families, and documents, histories, and literature relating to that war. The society aims further to fit its members and coming generations for good, patriotic, loyal lives, with the highest capacity for doing their duty as American citizens, thus fostering true patriotism, love of our country, and its freedom. |