Public Law 50–943

That the consent of Congress is hereby given to the Santa Fe Street Railway Company, a corporation organized and created under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Texas, to construct, own, maintain and operate a street railway and wagon bridge across the Rio Grande, between the city of El Paso, in the State of Texas, and Paso del Norte, State of Chihuahua, Mexico, at such point as may be most convenient to said corporation to unite and connect a street railway to be constructed

Street-railway, wagon, and foot bridge.

by it in the said city of El Paso with any street railway that may be constructed by any person, persons or company in said Paso del Norte; and to build and lay on and across said bridge wavs for the passage of animals, foot-passengers, and vehicles of all kinds, and for the transit of freight, goods, wares and merchandise, for which said corporation may charge a reasonable toll, which charge

Toll.

shall be subject to revision and regulation from time to time by the Secretary of War.

Sec. 2.

That said bridge shall be built of good, substantial material,

Construction.

and of such strength and dimensions as may be sufficient to render the passage of all such vehicles, animals and persons as are herein mentioned perfectly safe at any and all times.

Sec. 3.

That said bridge shall not interfere with the free navigation of said river, and in ease of any litigation arising from an obstruction or an alleged obstruction to the free navigation

Free navigation.

thereof, caused or alleged to be caused by said bridge, the case may be tried before the circuit or district court of the United States for the State in which any portion of said bridge may be situated.

Sec. 4.

That equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be

Telegraph lines.

granted to all telegraph companies, and the United States reserves the right for the establishment of a postal telegraph across said bridge.

Sec. 5.

That the consent of the State of Chihuahua, United States

Consent of Mexican authorities necessary.

of Mexico, and of the proper authorities of the Republic of Mexico FIFTIETH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Chs. 948, 991. 1888. shall have been obtained before said bridge shall be built or commenced.

Sec. 6.

That unless the construction of said bridge be commenced within one year and finished within three years from the date of the passage of this act, the provisions of this act shall be null and void.

Sec. 7.

That Congress reserves the right to withdraw the authority and power conferred by this act, in ease the free navigation of said river shall at any time be substantially or materially obstructed by said bridge, or for any other reason, and to direct the removal or necessary modifications thereof at the cost and expense of the owners of said bridge; and Congress may at any time alter, repeal, or amend this act.