Public Law 57–28

That the Ozark and Cherokee

Arkansas River.

Ozark and Cherokee Central Railway Company may bridge, near Fort Gibson, Ind. T.

Central Railway Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Arkansas, its successors and assigns, are hereby authorized to construct, operate, and maintain a bridge across the Arkansas River, in the northwest quarter of section twenty-one, township fifteen north, range nineteen east, Indian meridian. Said bridge shall be constructed in accordance with such plans as may be approved by the Secretary of War: Provided, That before the construction of any bridge

Provisos.

Secretary of War to approve plans, etc.

herein authorized is commenced the said company shall submit to the Secretary of War, for his examination and approval, a design and drawing of such bridge and map of the location, giving sufficient information to enable the Secretary of War to fully and satisfactorily understand the subject and unless the plan and location of such bridge are approved by the Secretary of War the structure shall not be built; and should any change be made in said bridge before or after completion, such changes shall likewise be subject to the approval of the Secretary

Change.

of War; and any changes in said bridge which the Secretary of War may at any time deem necessary and order in the interests of navigation shall be made by the owner’s thereof at their expense: Provided further,

Lights, etc.

That for the safety of vessels passing at night the owners of said bridge shall maintain thereon, at their own expense, from sunset to sunrise, such lights or other signals as the Light-House Board may prescribe.

Sec. 2.

That all railroad companies desiring the use of said bridge shall have equal rights and privileges relative to the passage of railway trains or ears over the same and over the approaches thereto upon payment of a reasonable compensation for such use; and in case the owners of said bridge and any railroad company desiring such use shall fail to agree upon the sums to be paid or the conditions to be observed, all matters at issue shall be decided by the Secretary of War upon hearing the

Telegraph, etc., privileges.

allegations and proofs of the parties; and equal privileges in the use of said bridge shall be granted to telegraph and telephone companies.

Sec. 3.

That the bridge constructed, maintained, and operated under this Act and according to its limitations shall be a lawful structure, and shall be recognized and known as a post route, upon which also no higher charge shall he 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 transportation of said mails, troops, and munitions over the railroads and public highways leading to said bridge;

Postal telegraph.

and the United States shall have the right of way fora postal telegraph across said bridge.

Sec. 4.

That this Act shall be null and void if actual construction of the bridge herein authorized be not commenced within one year and completed within three years from the approval of this Act.

Sec. 5.

That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly reserved.