constructed across the Shenandoah River at Berrys Ferry, Clarke County, Va. The bill also would declare such bridge to be a lawful structure to the same extent and in the same manner as if it had been constructed in accordance with the provisions of the general bridge act of March 23, 1906. The bridge in question is located on the system of Federal-aid highways approved for Virginia and has been constructed as a Federal-aid project. Favorable action on the bill is recommended. Sincerely, R. W. DUNLAP, Acting Secretary. BRIDGE ACROSS ROCK RIVER AT PROPHETSTOWN, ILL. JANUARY 30, 1930.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. DENISON, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 8705] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 8705) granting the consent of Congress to the State of Illinois to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Rock River at or near Prophetstown, Ill., having considered the same, report thereon with an amendment and as so amended recommend that it pass. Amend the bill as follows: Line 4, before the word "bridge," insert the words "free highway". The bill as amended has the approval of the War and Agriculture Departments, as will appear by the letters attached and which are made a part of this report. WAR DEPARTMENT, January 24, 1930. 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. 8705, Seventy-first Congress, second session, granting the consent of Congress to the State of Illinois to construct a bridge across the Rock River at or near Prophetstown, Ill. Attention is invited to H. R. 7961, Seventy-first Congress, second session, which authorizes the State of Illinois to construct a bridge across the Rock River at or near Prophetstown, Ill. No objection is interposed to the passage of the accompanying bill with the understanding that but one bridge is actually to be constructed at the locality in question. 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. 8705, transmitted with your letter of January 17 with request for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. This bill would authorize the State of Illinois to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Rock River at or near Prophetstown, Ill., in section 28, township 20 north, range 5 east, fourth principal meridian. The proposed location of the bridge is on the system of Federal-aid highways approved for Illinois. The bill is without objection so far as this department is concerned. Sincerely, C. F. MARVIN, Acting Secretary. BRIDGE ACROSS PECATONICA RIVER AT FREEPORT, ILL. JANUARY 30, 1930.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. DENISON, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H. R. 8706] The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 8706) granting the consent of Congress to the State of Illinois to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Pecatonica River at or near Freeport, Ill., having considered the same, report thereon with amendments, and as so amended, recommend that it pass. Amend the bill as follows: Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the following in lieu thereof: That the bridge now being constructed across the Pecatonica River at Freeport, Illinois, by the State of Illinois, if completed in accordance with plans accepted by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary of War, as providing suitable facilities for navigation, shall be a lawful structure, and shall be subject to the conditions and limitations of the act entitled "An act to regulate the construction of bridges over navigable waters," approved March 23, 1906, other than those requiring the approval of plans by the Secretary of War and the Chief of Engineers before the bridge is commenced. SEC. 2. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this act is hereby expressly reserved. Amend the title so as to read: A bill to legalize a bridge across the Pecatonica River at Freeport, Illinois. The bill as amended has the approval of the War and Agriculture Departments, as will appear by the letters attached and which are made a part of this report. WAR DEPARTMENT, January 25, 1930. Respectfully returned to the chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives. The accompanying bill (H. R. 8706, 71st Cong., 2d sess.), proposes to authorize the building of a bridge across the Pecatonica River at or near Freeport, Ill., by the State of Illinois, Under date of June 11, 1929, the State of Illinois made application to this department for approval of plans for the construction of the bridge referred to in the above-mentioned bill, but in view of the fact that such work was not authorized by Congress as required by section 9 of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1899, the department was without authority to approve the plans thereof. However, since it was necessary to construct the said bridge without delay, the State of Illinois was notified that no objection would be interposed by this department to the proposed construction in accordance with the plans submitted, but an act of Congress should be obtained to legalize the structure. It is understood that construction of the bridge is now in progress. Accordingly, the bill has been amended to harmonize with the facts cited above. However, its purpose is similar to that of H. R. 7957, Seventy-first Congress, second session, upon which a favorable report was submitted under date of January 13, 1930. While this department offers no objection to the passage of either bill, the passage of both seems unnecessary. HON. JAMES S. PARKER, PATRICK J. HURLEY, Secretary of War. 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. 8706, transmitted with your letter of January 17, with request for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. This bill would authorize the State of Illinois to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Pecatonica River at or near Freeport, Ill. The location indicated for the proposed bridge is on the Illinois system of Federal-aid highways. The bill is without objection so far as this department is concerned. Sincerely, C. F. MARVIN, Acting Secretary. O |