Chapter 1. To authorize the Rock Island, Arkansas and Louisiana Railroad Company to construct bridges across Ouachita River and other navigable rivers in the State of Arkansas
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CHAP. 1.— An Act To authorize the Rock Island, Arkansas and Louisiana Railroad Company to construct bridges across Ouachita River and other navigable rivers in the State of Arkansas. December 15, 1905. [[S. 410](/us/bill/59/s/410).] [[Public, No. 1](/us/pl/59/1).] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Compress assembled*, That the Rock Island,Ouachita, etc., rivers, Ark.Rock Island, Arkansas and Louisiana Railroad Company may bridge.
Arkansas and Louisiana Railroad Company, a consolidated corporation created and existing by virtue of the laws of the States of Arkansas and Louisiana, its successors and assigns be, and is hereby, authorized to construct and maintain bridges across the Ouachita River and such other navigable rivers in the State of Arkansas as may be. necessary for the crossing of said rivers with its railroad line, at such points as may be selected by said railroad company and approved by the Secretary of War.
Said bridges shall be constructed to provideRailroad, wagon and foot bridge. for the passage of railroad trains, and. at the option of said railroad company by which they may be built, may be used for the passage of wagons and vehicles of all kinds, for the transit of animals and for foot passengers, for such reasonable rates of toll as may he fixed by said railroad company and approved by the Secretary of War. Sec. 2. That the bridges constructed, maintained, and operated underLawful structure and post route. this Act and according to its limitations shall be lawful structures, and shall be recognized and known as post routes, upon which also no higher charge shall be made for the transportation over the same of the mails, the troops, and the munitions of war of the United States than the rate per mile paid for the transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions over the railroads and public highways leading to said bridges, and the United States shall have the right of way for postalTelegraph, etc., rights. telegraph and telephone purposes over said bridges.
Sec. 3. That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridgesUse by other roads. shall have and be entitled to equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains 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 bridges and the several railroad companies, or any of them, desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sum or sums to be paid and upon the rules and conditions to which each shall conform in using said bridges, all matters at issue between them shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon a hearing of the allegation and proofs of the parties. 1 2 Sec. 4.
Secretary of War to approve plans, etc. That all bridges authorized to be constructed under this Act shall be built under and subject to such regulations for the security of the navigation of the rivers over which they may be built 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 designs and drawings of the bridges and maps of locations selected; and until the said plans and locations are approved by the Secretary of War the bridges shall not be commenced or built;
Changes.and should any changes be made in the plans of said bridges, or any of them, during the progress of construction, such changes shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, and all changes in said bridges, or any of them, required by the Secretary of War at any time, or their entire removal, shall be at the expense of the corporations or persons owning or operating said bridges. Sec. 5. Amendment. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved.
Sec. 6. Time of construction. That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridges herein authorized is not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the date thereof. Approved, December 15, 1905.