Chapter 397.
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/statutes-at-large/vol-25/chapter-397-3586623·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
CHAP. 397.— An act to authorize the Natchitoches Railroad Company to construct and maintain a bridge across the Red River, in Louisiana.March 2, 1889. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Natchitoches railroad Company may bridge Red River. La. That the Natchitoches Railroad Company, a corporation created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Louisiana, be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain a railroad and wagon bridgeRailway and wagon bridge. across the Red River at such point as may be selected by the said railroad company in the parish of Natchitoches or in the parish of Red River, the said bridge to be so constructed as not to interfereUnobstructed navigation.
Draw. *Proviso*. Lawful structure and post-route. with the navigation of said river, and to be provided with a suitable draw: *Provided*, That any bridge constructed under this act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be known an recognized as a post-route, and the same is hereby declared to be a post route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transmission over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States, or for through passengers or freight passing over said bridge, than the rate per mile paid for their transportation over the railroads leading to the said bridge: and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph companies; and the United States shall have the right ofPostal telegraph. way for a postal telegraph across said bridge.
Sec. 2 That the bridge authorized to be constructed under thisSecretary of War to approve plans, etc. act shall be located and built under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of said river as the Secretary of War shall prescribe: and to secure that object the said company or corporation shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawings of the proposed bridge, and a map of the location, giving, for the space of one mile above and one mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shorelines at high and low water the direction and strength. 880 of the currents, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the stream, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject; and until the said plan and location of the bridge are approved by the Secretary of War no work upon the bridge shall be commenced; and should any change be made in the plan of said bridge during the progress of construction, such change shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repealAmendment. this act at any time; and that if at any time navigation of said river shall in any manner be obstructed or impaired by the said bridge, the Secretary of War shall have authority, and it shall be Changes.his duty, to require the said railroad company to alter and change the said bridge at its own expense, in such manner as may be proper to secure free and complete navigation without impediment; and if upon reasonable notice to said railroad company to make such change or improvements the said company fails to do so, the Secretary of War shall have authority to make the same at the expense of said company, and all the rights conferred by this act shall be forfeited; and Congress shall have power to do any and all things necessary to Free navigation.secure the free navigation of the river.
Sec. 4. That said company shall be permitted to charge and takeToll. such rates of toll for crossing said bridge, as may be reasonable, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War. Sec. 5. That the draw provided for the bridge herein authorizedOpening draws. to be constructed shall be opened promptly upon reasonable signal for the passing of boats; and said company or corporation shall Lights, etc.maintain, at its own expense, from sunset till sunrise, such lights or other signals on said bridge as the Light House Board shall prescribe.
Sec. 6. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridgeUse by other companies. shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains over the same, and over the approaches Compensation.thereto, upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owner or owners of said bridge and the several railroad companies, or any one of them, desiring such use, shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid, and upon rides and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Decision by Secretary of War.Secretary of War, upon a hearing of the allegations and proofs of the parties; and if Commencement and completion.said bridge is not commenced within three years and completed within five years from the passage of this act the rights and privileges hereby granted shall be null and void.
Approved, March 2, 1889.