54th Congbess, ) HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVBS. ( Eepoet 
 2d Session. ) ( No. 2476. 
 
 BEIDGE BETWEEN NEW TOEK CITY AND LONG ISLAND. 
 
 January 9, 1897.— Eeferred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Mr. Bennett, from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com- 
 merce, submitted the following 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 [To accompany H. R. 9865.] 
 
 The Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, to whom was 
 referred the bill (H. E. 9865) "extending the time for the completion of 
 the bridge across the East Eiver between the city of New York and 
 Long Island, now in course of construction, as authorized by the act 
 of Congress approved March 3, 1887," submits the following favorable 
 report: 
 
 The construction of this important bridge (commonly called the 
 Black well's Island Bridge) was begun as required by the act of Con- 
 gress, and has been continued to this date, excepting for the time dur- 
 ing which the condemnation proceedings for the right of way were under 
 consideration in the courts of the State of New York. 
 
 Two of the main j^iers in the East Eiver have been built and com- 
 pleted and another is in course of construction. The company has con- 
 demned or purchased and paid for much of the land necessary for the 
 right of way. The company has acted in good faith throughout, and 
 promises prompt and diligent prosecution of the work, and has the 
 means necessary to meet the costs of the same. 
 
 The committee suggest that the bill be amended by striking out the 
 words "and two," in line 12 of the bill, thus curtailing by two years the 
 extension, and as thus amended your committee feel justified in approv- 
 ing the bill and recommending its passage at the present session of 
 Congress, as without such action the rights of the company, as granted 
 by the Government, will expire on the 3d day of March ensuing, and 
 great pecuniary loss will result to those who have furnished the capital 
 for the construction of the bridge. 
 
 The following report of the Chief of Engineers of the War Depart- 
 ment was submitted to the House of Eepresentatives when the bill was 
 originally considered, and is annexed to this report for its information: 
 
 Office of the Chief or Engineers, United States Armt, 
 
 Washington, D. C, December S2, 1886. 
 Sir: I have the honor to return herewith H. E. 10044, a bill "authorizing the con- 
 struction of a bridge across the East Eiver, between the city of New York and 
 Long Island," and to invite attention to the following copy of the report of the 
 Board of Engineers for Fortifications and for River and Harbor Improvements, to 
 whom it was referred. 
 The views of the Board are concurred in by this oflSce. 
 
 "Office Board of Engineers, Army Building, 
 
 "Nem York, December 17, 1886. 
 
 "Respectfully referred to the Chief of Engineers. 
 
 « » » * # # 
 
 "The Board of Engineers has carefully considered the Senate and House bills 
 
2 BRIDGE BETWEEN NEW YOEK CITY AND LONG ISLAND. 
 
 'authorizing the construction of a bridge across the East River, between the city of 
 Ne w York and Long Island,' and have the honor to report that abridge joining the city 
 of New York and Long Island City, crossing the channels at about right angles near 
 the middle of Blaokwell's Island, having its piers or abutments on the land side of 
 the harbor lines of the East River, and a clear elevation of its lower chord, 150 feet 
 above mean high water, at the middle of each channel of the river, and no part of 
 the lower chord of the channel span less 142 feet above mean high water, will not 
 'obstruct, impair, or injuriously modify the navigation of the river,' as provided by 
 said bridge. 
 "On behaH of the Board. 
 
 ■ « "Thomas Lincoln Casey, 
 
 "Colonel of Engineers, President of Board." 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 J. C. DUANK, 
 
 Brigadier-General, Chief of Engineers. 
 
 Hon. William C. Enbicott, 
 
 Secretary of War,