The Hon. Edgar Howard, who introduced this bill, has submitted the following information with respect thereto : Hon. JAMES S. PARKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., February 5, 1981. Chairman Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. PARKER: I have but one reason to assign for failure to begin construction of a bridge over the Missouri River at or near Decatur, Nebr., as per terms of the act of Congress, approved March 28, 1928, and the times for beginning and completing construction having been later extended by congressional action. The one reason I offer is the fact that Decatur is on an important sector in the plans of the Government for improving the Missouri River, to the end that it may be made navigable. The holders of license to construct the bridge at Decatur have been unable to induce the Army engineers to designate a specific site for the bridge, and because of that failure have been unable to do any manner of work on the authorized bridge. I sincerely trust this may appeal to your committee as good and sufficient reason for asking an extension of the times for beginning and completing construction of the bridge. Sincerely, BRIDGE ACROSS OHIO RIVER BETWEEN OWENSBORO, KY., AND ROCKPORT, IND. FEBRUARY 5, 1931.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. JOHNSON of Indiana, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 16333] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 16333) to extend the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across the Ohio River, approximately midway between the cities of Owensboro, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., having considered and amended the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it pass. Amend the bill as follows: Line 8, after the word "February" strike out the figure "6" and insert the figures "26" in lieu thereof; after the figures "1929," insert the following, "heretofore extended by act of Congress approved March 3, 1930,"; after the word "hereby" insert the word "further". The bill has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the letter attached. War DepartMENT, January 24, 1931. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives. So far as the interests committed to this department are concerned, I know of no objection to the favorable consideration of the accompanying bill (H. R. 16333, 71st Cong., 3d sess.) to extend the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across the Ohio River approximately midway between the cities of Owensboro, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., if amended as indicated in italics. DEAR MR. PARKER: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 16333,) transmitted with your letter of January 20 with request for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. The Hon. Edgar Howard, who introduced this bill, has submitted the following information with respect thereto : Hon. JAMES S. PARKER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., February 5, 1981. Chairman Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. PARKER: I have but one reason to assign for failure to begin construction of a bridge over the Missouri River at or near Decatur, Nebr., as per terms of the act of Congress, approved March 28, 1928, and the times for beginning and completing construction having been later extended by congressional action. The one reason I offer is the fact that Decatur is on an important sector in the plans of the Government for improving the Missouri River, to the end that it may be made navigable. The holders of license to construct the bridge at Decatur have been unable to induce the Army engineers to designate a specific site for the bridge, and because of that failure have been unable to do any manner of work on the authorized bridge. I sincerely trust this may appeal to your committee as good and sufficient reason for asking an extension of the times for beginning and completing construction of the bridge. Sincerely, 3d Session No. 2504 BRIDGE ACROSS OHIO RIVER BETWEEN OWENSBORO, KY., AND ROCKPORT, IND. FEBRUARY 5, 1931.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. JOHNSON of Indiana, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 16333] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 16333) to extend the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across the Ohio River, approximately midway between the cities of Owensboro, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., having considered and amended the same, report thereon with a recommendation that it pass. Amend the bill as follows: Line 8, after the word "February" strike out the figure "6" and insert the figures "26" în lieu thereof; after the figures "1929," insert the following, "heretofore extended by act of Congress approved March 3, 1930,"; after the word "hereby" insert the word "further". The bill has the approval of the War Department, as will appear by the letter attached. WAR DEPARTMENT, January 24, 1931. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives. So far as the interests committed to this department are concerned, I know of no objection to the favorable consideration of the accompanying bill (H. R. 16333, 71st Cong., 3d sess.) to extend the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across the Ohio River approximately midway between the cities of Owensboro, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., if amended as indicated in italics. PATRICK J. HURLEY, Hon. JAMES S. PARKER, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives. DEAR MR. PARKER: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 16333,) transmitted with your letter of January 20 with request for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. This bill would extend for one and three years, respectively, from February 26, 1931, the times for commencing and completing the construction of a bridge across the Ohio River between the cities of Owensboro, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., authorized by act of Congress approved February 26, 1929, to be built by E. T. Franks, his heirs, legal representatives, and assigns. The location indicated for the proposed bridge would constitute a connection between the Federal-aid highway systems approved for the States of Indiana and Kentucky. An authorization was first granted to Mr. Franks for the construction of a bridge at this point by act approved June 12, 1926, which by subsequent acts was extended until a new authorization was granted by the act of February 26, 1929. Mr. Franks, therefore, has had since June 12, 1926, within which time to arrange for the construction of this bridge and he obviously has been unable to do so. The department has repeatedly submitted adverse reports on the bills to authorize the construction of a private toll bridge at this point or for extending the times for commencing and completing such bridge after the authorization was given. It still is the view of the department that a private toll bridge should not be built at this point. It therefore recommends against favorable action on the bill. R. W. DUNLAP, Acting Secretary. The Hon. John L. Dorsey, jr, who introduced this bill has submitted the following information with respect thereto : Sincerely, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., January 29, 1931. COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: In response to an inquiry with reference to H.R. 16333, which is a bill now before your committee asking the permission of Congress to construct a bridge across the Ohio River approximately midway between Owensboro, Ky., and Rockport, Ind., may I say: The bill authorizing the construction of this bridge was passed by Congress during the year 1929. In 1930 Congress extended the time for the beginning and the completion of the bridge for a period of one year and three years, respectively. The present bill asks for a further extension of one year and three years for the time of the beginning and completing of the bridge, respectively. The original bill grants the privilege of building this bridge to E. T. Franks and his assigns. In reality, it is a community activity, which is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Owensboro, Ky. The franchise was granted to Mr. Franks as a matter of convenience. Mr. Franks is simply acting for and on behalf of the community and not as an individual. He will receive neither money nor financial gain by reason of the construction of the bridge. Since the original bill was enacted, authorizing the bridge, the Chamber of Commerce of the city of Owensboro, Ky., has spent approximately $20,000 on the project of the building of the bridge. In addition, a contract for the building of the bridge has been let to the Nashville Bridge Co., of Nashville, Tenn., and this company has spent approximately $28,000 in furtherance of the bridge plans. The permission of the Interstate Commerce Commission to build the bridge has been granted, the surveys necessary, the plans and the specifications have been made, and a hearing has been had before the War Department, and the plans and specifications for the bridge have been approved. It is my information, from the Chamber of Commerce of Ownesboro, Ky., and from the Nashville Bridge Co., that the delay of the actual work has been caused by the present condition of the money market and that just as soon as there is a change for the better in money conditions work on the bridge will be actually started. May I further say that Owensboro, Ky., is a city of more than 20,000 people, situated on the Ohio River; that on the other side of the Ohio River there is the State of Indiana. In the vicinity of Owensboro the only means of transportation between Indiana and Kentucky is now the ferry system. No bridge downstream on the Ohio River is located within 50 miles of Owensboro and upstream there is no bridge within 150 miles. For a distance measured by the river of approximately 200 miles, there are no bridge accommodations whatever between Kentucky and Indiana. There is no possibility of the State of Kentucky or any subdivision of Kentucky constructing a bridge either by itself or in connection with the State of Indiana which would relieve the present situation. It is my information, and I think the information reliable, that it would likewise be |