Chapter 357. To authorize the Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad Company, of Alabama, to construct a bridge across the Choctawhatchee River, a navigable stream in Geneva County, Alabama
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CHAP. 357.— An Act To authorize the Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad Company, of Alabama, to construct a bridge across the Choctawhatchee River, a navigable stream in Geneva County, Alabama. February 12, 1901. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Stater of America in Congress assembled*, Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad may bridge Choctawhatehee River near Geneva, Ala. That the Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad Company, of Alabama, be. and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain and operate a bridge across the Choctawhatchee River, a navigable stream, in the county of Geneva.
State of Alabama; said bridge to be located about eleven miles from the town of Geneva in said county. Sec. 2. That said bridge shall be built and located under and subjectSecretary of War to approve plans. to such regulations for the security of navigation as the Secretary of War may prescribe; and to secure that object the said The Chattahoochee and Gulf Railroad Company, of Alabama, shall submit for his examination designs and drawings of the bridge, and maps of the location, giving, for the space of one-half mile above and one-half mile below the proposed location, the topography of the banks of the river, the shore lines at high and low water, the direction and strength of the currents, and the soundings, accurately showing the bed of the river, and shall furnish such other information as may be required for a full and satisfactory understanding of the subject, and until the said plans and location are approved by him the bridge shall not be commenced or built; and should any change be made in said bridge, before or after completion, such changes shall be likewise subject to the approval of the Secretary of War.
Sec. 3. That said bridge shall be kept and managed so as to offerAids to navigation. reasonable and proper means for the passage of vessels and craft through or under the same: and for the safety of vessels passing atLights. night there shall be displayed on said bridge at night, from sunset to sunrise, at, the expense of the owners thereof, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may prescribe. And any changesChanges. in said bridge which the Secretary of War may at any time deem necessary, and order in the interests of navigation, shall be made by the owners thereof at their own expense.
Sec. 4. That all railroad companies desiring the use of the bridgeRights of railroads to use. authorized by this Act shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains or cars over the same and over the approaches thereto upon the payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in ease 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 rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridge, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegations and proof of the parties: and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to all telegraph and telephone companies.
Sec. 5. That the bridge constructed, maintained, and operated underLawful structure and post route. this Act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transportation over the same of785 the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions over the railroads and public highways leading to said bridge; and the United States shall have the right of way for postal,Postal telegraph, etc. telegraph, and telephone purposes over said bridge.
Sec. 6. That this Act shall be null and void if actual constructionCommencement and completion. of the said bridge be not commenced in one year and completed in three years from the date hereof. Sec. 7. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is herebyAmendment. expressly reserved. Approved, February 12, 1901.