The history of the project to bridge the Chesapeake Bay / by Robert C. Horne

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THE HISTORY OP THE PROJECT TO BRIDGE
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

presented to

BETA CHAPTER OP MARYLAND

of the
TAU BETA PI ASSOCIATION

University of Maryland

lay

Robert C . Home

April 28, 1930

FOKISV/QRD

The object of this paper is to present the facts
which are prominent and important in the history of the de-
velopment of the project to "bridge the Chesapeake Bay. The
greater part of the information was obtained by interviewing
prominent men interested in or opposed to having the Eastern
and Western Shores of Maryland physically connected. All
passages are original except as otherwise Indicated. Diffi-
culty was encountered in obtaining a great deal of this in-
formation "because of the reluctance on the part of those
who had information to discuss the subject during the invest i
gat ion of the Governor's Committee.

SUMMARY OF THESIS

For a great number of years men of vision have
dreamed of some bridge link uniting the Eastern ^nd Western
Shores of Maryland. In 1908 the

MERCHANTS AND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION appointed
a committee to study such a project. In 1918

GOVFJUTOR HARRINGTON appointed a committee of prom-
inent men to consider the proposition. In 1926 the

CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE COMPANY was organized for the
purpose of building a toll bridge from the Patapsco River
Neck to Hart Island to Miller's Island and thence across the
six and one -half miles of bay to Kent Island and the Eastern
Shore. Finally, after obtaining permits to build the bridge
from the Maryland State Legislature, the U. S. Congress, the
War Department, and the State Roads Commission, the project
has failed to materialize because of lack of financial backing.
About the same time (in 1927) the

CHESAPEAKE TUNNEL AND BRIDGE COMPANY was chartered
for the purpose of building a combination bridge and tunnel.
This company failed to get permits, so in 1928 changed their
charter to permit the operation of ferries.

A COMMISSION TO STUDY THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE
PROJECT was appointed March 18, 1930 by Governor Ritchie.

■ii-

Upon the report of this committee will probably rest the de-
cision of whether or not the bridge project will be aided by
the State.

THIS HISTORY OP THE PROJECT TO BRIDGE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Maryland, probably the richest of all the States in
natural resources , is physically divided into two parts by
the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The Eastern Shore which is
primarily an agricultural district is shipping the products
of its fertile soil to markets outside the State, while Bal-
timore which is ideally located to serve them is losing their
business because, possibly, of the lack of physical connection
across the Bay, Observing this condition growing worse be-
cause of the advent of fast motor -truck transportation, busi-
ness nen of Baltimore have proposed a bridge across the Bay.

PRESEOT FACILITIES 3BTWBBN THE EASTERN AND THE 18STBKH SHORES
To travel by land from the Eastern Shore to Balti-
more, it is necessary to proceed north to Elkton and thence
south across the bridge at the Susquehanna River at Havre de
Grace --thiB being a wide and consequently expensive detour.

There are three regular ferries crossing the Bay
in the vicinity of Baltimore and Annapolis.

The Tol Chester Beach Perry operates an average of three round
trips per day between Baltimore and Tol Chester Beach.

The Ann ap o 1 i a_ -CI ai b or ne Perry operates five round
trips per day between Annapolis and Claiborne, each passage
taking about one and one -half hours; and they operate a ferry
1 . See at t ac he'd "sTTat e" R o'ad Map" ." ' " " ' '

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2

every hour to Kent Island from Annapolis.

In addition to the ferry lines there is a general
steamboat service between points of importance on navigable
waters of the Eastern Shore and Baltimore, This service is
conducted by the Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic Railroad
Co. which employs eighteen boats in its service on each side
of the Bay .

In addition to the regular steamboat and ferry ser-
vice, there is a large fleet of small boats carrying freight,
mostly produce and sea foods, from the Eastern Shore to Balti-
more estimated to carry approximately 200,000 tons during
the year .

INDUSTRY

The counties of the E astern Shore are particularly
noted for agricultural productivity, in the northerly coun-
ties grain and dairy products are the most important, in the
middle section fruits and berries predominate and in the south-
ern section the most important products are white potatoes,
sweet potatoes, corn, onions and strawberries.

The Eastern Shore does about 20$ of the dairy busi-
ness of the entire state, as the farm land of this section
is particularly well adapted to the production of dairy pro-
ducts .

The Eastern Shore is the greatest fish and oyster
region of the Eastern United States and ships great quantities
2. This service" to" be inaugurated June 15, 1930.

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of sea foods .

It is estimated that the railroads on the Hastern
Shore carry annually eight hundred thousand tons of freight.
A very small percentage of this tonnage originates in or is
destined for Baltimore.

Baltimore ranks in the first six cities of the
United States as an industrial center. It is the greatest
canning center and has large steel mills and clothing factor-
ies. Located favorably on the Bay it has developed into a
large shipping center. There is no doubt that Baltimore is
well located to do business with the Eastern Shore.

HISTORY

Ah out twenty -five years ago, an engineer, while work-
ing under contract with the United States Government placing
fortifications at Fort Henry conceived the idea of a bridge
across the Chesapeake Bay connecting the eastern and the
western shores. This man was Mr. W. Hoscoe Bonsai, Mr. Bon-
sal -was a native of Baltimore and knew the benefit that Balti-
more would derive from a physical connection with the shore,
but he did nothing then to realize his vision. Since that
time it has been one of his plans to build such a bridge and
now he is prominently connected with a project as the presi-
dent of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Company.

Several years later in the Spring of 1908 Mr. W. A.
./eatherly , a member of the Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
ciation of Baltimore, placed before that body a "scheme to

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make Baltimore one of the greatest seaboard cities of the
East." His plans were;

Five improvements that would double the trade of
Baltimore .

1. A bridge across the Chesapeake Bay, giving Baltimore
direct communication "by rail with the Sastern Shore.

2. A canal across the Sastern Shore reducing Baltimore's
distance from the Atlantic by 180 miles.

3. A trunk line of railroad via the Western Maryland and
the Wabash systems to San Francisco.

4. A thirty -five foot ship channel from deep water in
the hay to the city docks.

5. A new system of docks owned by the city.

The Association recognized the great value these
five projects would have in raising Baltimore to a position
of greater importance. They took positive action to foster
each of these plans and succeeded in accomplishing the last
two in a few years.

The bridge scheme seemed to be of such great im-
portance that a special committee was appointed to investi-
gate the matter, Mr. Frank IT. Hoen acted as chairman and the
committee submitted its report for publication in the January -
February number of the Merchants and Manufacturers Bulletin
for 1909. The report stated "the plan has been submitted to
leading engineers whose opinion points out its practicality.
If a complete survey demonstrates this fact, we are told it
can be financed." The engineer's report to the comioittee

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alization of a "bridge was made until;

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE CO. was incorporated on
November 22, 1926 by Robert Erance, Charles B. Hoffman, and
Charles R. Wharton Smith. The purposes for which this cor-
poration was formed, the business and objects to be carried
on and promoted by it are--

"To construct or cause to be constructed a bridge
across the waters of the Chesapeake Bay connecting
the Eastern and Western Shores of said Bay; and when
constructed to maintain, operate and control Baid
bridge as a toll bridge for foot and vehicular traf-
fic of every kind, and to fix, demand and receive
the tolls to be charged for the use of said bridge

for such purposes or for any purposes whatsoever,

5
aid to collect all revenues resulting therefrom."

This company was organized and financed by Mr, W.
Roscoe Bonsai who had conceived the idea twenty -one years be-
fore. The board of Directors, all of whom are prominent men
in Baltimore interested in building the bridge are; J.J.
Melligan, President of Safe Deposit Co.; W. J. Baker, of
Baker, Watts and Co., Bankers; A. H. S. Post, President of
Mercantile Trust Co.; S. Bonsul Brooks, of Sanford and Brooks,
Engineers; Her ion Harjis, Snow Hill, Md . ; and Steward S.
Janney , At t or ney .

Immediately negotiations with financiers and engi-
neers in Hew York and Chicago were opened by the company for
5 . St at e T ax C ommi's si on "sVok" 68 EolTo "314 . '

_7-

f inane ial and engineering aaaiatance. Ford, Bacon and Davis
Co., New York; Coverdale and Colpetts Co., New York; and J. B.
Greiner and Co. of Baltimore, Consulting Engineers, were en-
gaged to make traffic surveys. Mr. James L. Parker, Engineer
and Designer, was engaged to design the bridge.

It was necessary to obtain permission of the Mary-
land State Legislature, U.S. Congress, War Department, and the
State Roads Commission to "build the bridge, permission of
the U. 8. Congress was obtained by acts approved on February
15, 1927, April 10, 1920, and June 21, 1929. 6

The Maryland Legislature gave permission in an act
passed in February, 1927. d

The War Department would not permit the construc-
tion of the bridge below the mouth of the Patapsco River be-
cause of the hinderence of traffic to Baltimore; and further-
more the department would not allow the bridge to be construct-
ed at its proposed position from Miller's Island to Kent Island
because the shells from the Army proving grounds at Aberdeen
fall into the Bay at that point. General Clarence Williams,
Chief of Ordinance, a public -spirited officer, arranged with
the Navy Department to test the guns on the Navy proving
grounds. Thus the objections of the War Department were re-
moved .

At the public hearing the shipping companies back-
ed by Philadelphia protested on the grounds the drawbridges
were not adequate. The design was altered and the permit to
6. Copies attached.

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build the "bridge was given "by T. T. Davison, acting Secretary
of War, on July 26, 1928.

Subsequently the State Roads Commission gave their
approval. Immediately the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Co. drove
several piles to satisfy the legal requirements that the
construction be started with two years after the Act of Con-
gress authorizing the building of the bridge.

In the session of the 1929 legislature, at Governor
Hitchie's suggestion, a subsidy of $70,000 was authorized for
the fiscal year 1931 in the event the company showed a deficit
to that extent. At the same time an appropriation of $450,000
for the building of approaches to the bridge was authorized,
provided the bonds were not issued before February 15, 1930.

Bids were opened and twenty bids ranging up from
$10,000,000 were received. Actual construction was about to
begin when the stock market crashed (Fall of 1929) causing
the financial backer s^to withdraw because of the slow move-
ment of the stock and bond market and the high rates on call
money .

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Co. is now unable to se-
cure financial support and has become inactive awaiting the
report of Governor Ritchie's Special Committee.

THE CHESAPSAKS TUHM2L AND BRIDGE CO. was incorporated
on February 17, 1927 by Clarence Soper, Eugene A. West, and
Howell P. Chapman, The purposes for which the corporation
7. Names not disclosed.

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was formed are:

"To construct, build, maintain and operate a com-
bination bridge and tunnel across and under the
waters of the Chesapeake Bay in the State of Mary-
land, connecting the eastern and western shores
thereof; and to maintain, operate and contol a
combination toll bridge and tunnel for freight and

Q

passenger traffic,"

The Legislature failed to pass a bill 9 introduced
on February 22, 1927 to allow this company to construct a
combination bridge and tunnel.

On April 12, 1928 the Chesapeake Tunnel and Bridge
Co. altered its charter to permit the construction and opera-
tion of a ferry from Anne Arundel County to Kent Island. 10

This company has not made any plans to do as they
are authorized to in their charter. No stock has ever been
issued and the Board of Directors are the three incorporators.

THE BRIDGE
The bridge proposed by the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Co.

is a series of steel trusses supported on concrete piers,

is
The approach/ over the North Point Road, down the Pat apse o

over
River Neck, /a short trussel to Hart Island where the road is

on top of an embankment, across another trussel to Miller

Island where also the road is raised, thence to the bridge

proper. The total length of the project is 36,000 feet of

8. Book 70 Polio' 260 State Tax Commission.

9. Bill attached,

10. Book 80 Folio 195 State Tax Commission.

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which 33,100 feet are the "bridge proper. The "bridge is de-
signed with 122 spans, 115 spans 250 feet long, 2 spans 440
feet long, 2 spans 840 feet long, 1 span 680 feet long and
a short approach span at each end. The 250 foot spans are
Inclined Chord Pratt Trusses having 10 panels and being 37
feet high. The depth of the water is between 15 and 20 feet
except at the channels where it is about 50 feet. The east
and west channels are each spanned by a verticl lift Draw
Bridge of 440 feet in length, providing 140 feat clearance,
above the surface of the water. The roadway is 20 feet wide
providing ample room for a lane of traffic in each direction.
The bridge was designed by Mr. James L. Parker of Charleston,
3, 0. and will cost about $10,000,000.

COMMITTEES

THE BALTIMORE ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE CHESAPEAKE
BAY BRIDGE COMMITTEE which was appointed over a year ago con-
sists of Donald Symington, Chairman; J. S. Wilson, Jr.;
Bernard L. Crozier; Louis S, Hutzlar; Walter A. Frey; Harry
P. White; William E. Schluderberg; and John M. Nelson, Jr.
The object of this committee is to keep in touch with the
activities of the bridge companies and to render any service
possible .

GOVERNOR RICHIE'S COMMISSION ON THE BAY BRIDGE was
appointed on March 18, 1930.

"The province of the commission will not be re-
stricted, the Governor said in making the announce-
ment, and its study and report on the $10,000,000

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project is to include the entire subject of trans-
portation between the Eastern and western shores.

"The commission will "be asked to recommend the
pi in or plans which should "be undertaken and carried
out "by the State in cooperation with private capital,
by the State alone in the event capital withdraws,
and to suggest the best and soundest method of State
aid or State financing."

The commission is to study the entire matter of
transportation between the Eastern and Western Shores of the
Bay by bridge, ferries, and roadways, taking into considera-
tion convenience, rapidity, future demands, cost, and all
other factors ,

Different sections of the state have different
viewpoints with regard to the proposed bridge. This is be-
cause trade and traffic needs and conditions are different
in the various localities. For this reason every locality is
represented on the commission which is composed of:
Mr, Griswold, of Alexander Brown and Sons, Bankers.
Donald Symington, president of the Baltimore Trust Co,
Frederick A, Dolfield, president of the Canton National Bank.
James H, Preston, former Mayor and president of the Port De-
velopment Commission.
William G-. Baker, Jr., of Baker, V/atts and Co., bankers.
Randolph Barton, Jr., attorney.

William Lee Rawls, attorney and president of the School Board.
Cleveland R. Bealmear, president of the Real Esate Board.

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Edgar Allan Poe, former Attorney -General of Maryland.

Emerson C. Harrington, of Cambridge, former Governor of Mary-
land.

S. Scott Beck, of Cambridge, State Senator from Kent county
and president of the Chestertown Bank of Maryland.

W. Mason Shehan, of Eaeton, attorney,

James K. Crockett, Pocomoke City, State Senator from Worcester
county .

W. E. Copper, of Chestertown, president of the Third national
Bank of Chestertown and former State Senator from Kent
County .

J. Frank Harper, Centreville, member of the Public Service
Commission and former State Senator from Queen Anne's
c ounty .

L. M. Mi lb our ne, of Marion, president of the Bank of Marion,
former State Senator from Somerset county, former Deputy
Collector of Internal Revenue and former State Auditor.

Hooper S, Miles, of Salisbury, president of the Salisbury-

Wicomico Chamber of Commerce and president of the East-
ern Shore Trust Company at Salisbury.

Dr. Winder W. Goldsborough, of Greensboro, Carolina county.

G. Clinton Uhl , Cumberland, Allegany county.

John K. Shaw, Eccleston, Baltimore county,

Howard Bruce, Elkridge, Howard county.

W. Preston Lane, Jr., of Hagerstown, chairman of the execu-
tive committee of Hagerstown Banking and Trust Co., and
attorney .

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V/alter J. Mitchell, of La Plata, State Senator from Charles
county and president of the Eastern Shore Trust Co. at
La Plata,

The job of the commission is a tremendous one.
First, it must decide if there is a economic demand for the
"bridge and if the "bridge will he of sufficient value to justi-
fy its cost; and secondly, it must decide how the "bridge is
to be financed, by private capital and state aid with tolls,
"by the State with reimbursement thru tolls, or by the State
as a free bridge.

A difference of opinion on the first question is
clearly shown by Ex -governor Harrington speaking before the
commission.

"Some have advocated the bridge on the ground that
Baltimore then would become the market for our crops.
I fear this opinion shows a great lack of knowledge
of trade conditions. The Eastern Shore products
are not being kept away from Baltimore either by
means of cost or transportation, for as a matter of
fact, we have by water the cheapest transportation
facilities available, but Eastern Shore shippers
. do what all other producers do- -ship to the best
market . "

Assume the bridge is to be built. How should it
be financed? A State -built bridge without tolls would kill
the ferries and transportation companies, both freight and
passenger, operating on the Bay.

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It is possible that no very large proportion of
the business of the Eastern Shore will ever he brought to
Baltimore but certainly with a direct highway route the door
of opportunity, heretofore closed, will be opened wide.
And, for those who look ahead into the future of the State,
the bridge will surely open up potentualities in trade and
social intercourse between the Eastern and Western Shores.

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BIBLIGG-HAPHY

1. Bridge Division of U. 5. War Department.
Chesapeake Bay No. 2826,

2. Baltimore Sun.
Files 1908-1930

3. Maryland State Roads Commission.
Mr. H. D, Williar, Chief Engineer .

4. J. E . Greiner and Co., Consulting Engineers for Chesapeake
Bay Bridge Co,

Mr. H. H. Allen .

5. The Chesapeake 3ay Bridge Co.
Mr. ¥. Roscoe Bonsai , President .

6. The Chesapeake Tunnel and Bridge Co.
Mr. Clarence Soper ,

7 . Baltimore Association of Commerce (formerly Merchants and
Manufacturers Association)
Mr. King.

8. U. 3. Congress-Acts.

February 15, 1927 --Public --No . 6 23— 69th Congress.
April 10, 1928 --Public —No, 250— 70th Congress.
June 21, 1929--Public--71th Congress.

9. Maryland State Legislature,

10. The Annapolis -Claiborne Ferry Co.
Mr. B. F. Sherman, General Manager

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11. Library of Congress.
Engineering Hews Record.
Engineering Journal.
Reeders--Chesaxjeaice Bay.

12. The J. G. White Engineering Co. of Hew York City.

7 1st CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1535

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

Juste 17, 1929

Mr. Ttdijs'gs introduced the following bill ; which was read twice and referred

to the Committee on Commerce

June 17, 1929

Reported by Mr. Shefpard, without amendment; considered, read the third

time, and passed

A BILL

To extend the time for the construction of the bridge across the

Chesapeake Bay.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Eepresenta-

2 fives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
g That the times for commencing and completing the eonstruc-

j tion of a bridge authorized by Act of Congress approved

5 February 15, 1927, to be built by the Chesapeake Bay

(j Bridge Company, a corporation, across the Chesapeake Bay

7 are hereby extended one and three years, respectively, from

g the date of approval hereof.

ci Sec. 2. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this

] Act is hereby expressly reserved.

a*

A^'^~ "V7

71st CONGRESS! £3 1 tQK
Ibt Session J Q, lOOO

A BILL

To extend the time for the construction of the
bridge across the Chesapeake Bay.

* — — * -

By Mr. Ttdings

June 17, 1029

Read twice and referred to the Committee on

Commerce

June 17, 1929

Reported without amendment, considered, read the

third time, and passed

[Public— No. 623— 69th Coxgress]

[S. 4553] .

An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Chesapeake
Bay Bridge Company to construct a bridge across the Chesapeake Bay from a
point in Baltimore County to a point in Kent County in the State of Maryland.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the consent
of Congress is hereby granted to the said Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
the State of Maryland, its successors ami assigns, to construct, main-
tain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Chesa-
peake Bay, at a point suitable to the interests of navigation, from a
point in Baltimore County, Maryland, near the mouth of Back
River to a point in Kent County, Maryland, between Rock Hall and
Tolchester Beach, in accordance with the provisions of the Act
entitled "An Act to regulate the construction of bridges over navi-
gable waters," approved March 23, 190G, and subject to the conditions
and limitations contained in this Act: Provided, That in the inter-
ests of national defense, and for the protection of life and property,
the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and empowered, when,
in his judgment, military necessity shall require it, to close said
bridge to traffic at such time and during such periods as he may
determine.

Sec. 2. After the completion of such bridge, as determined by the
Secretary of War, either the State of Maryland, any political subdi-
vision thereof within or adjoining which any part of such bridge
is located, or any two or more of them jointly, may at any time
acquire and take over all right, title, and interest in such bridge
and its approaches, and any interests in real property necessary
therefor, by purchase or condemnation in accordance with the laws
of such State governing the acquisition of private property for public
purposes by condemnation. If at any time after the expiration of
thirty years after the completion of such bridge the same is acquired
by condemnation, the amount of damages or compensation to "be
allowed shall not include good will, going value, or prospective
revenues or profits, but shall be limited to the sum of (.1) the actual
cost of constructing such bridge and its approaches, less a reasonable
deduction for actual depreciation in value, (2) the actual cost of
acquiring such interests in real property, (3) actual financing and
promotion cost, not to exceed 10 per centum of the sum of the cost
of constructing the bridge and its approaches and acquiring sucli
interest in real property, and (4) actual expenditures for necessary
improvements.

Sec. 3. If such bridge shall at any time be taken over or acquired
by any municipality or other political subdivision or subdivisions
of the State of Maryland under the provisions of section 3 of this
Act, and if tolls are charged for the use thereof, the rates of toll
shall be so adjusted as to provide a fund sufficient to pay for the

[Pub. B23.I

cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating the bridge and its
approaches, and to provide a sinking fund sufficient to amortize the
amount paid for such bridge and its approaches as soon as possible
under reasonable charges, but within a period of not to exceed thirty
years from the date of acquiring the same. After a sinking fund
sufficient to amortize the cost of acquiring the bridge and its
approaches shall have been provided, such bridge shall thereafter
be maintained and operated free of tolls, or the rates of tolls shall
(hereafter be m adjusted as to provide a fund of not to exceed the
amount necessary for the proper care, repair, maintenance, and
operation of the bridge and its approaches. An accurate record of
the amount paid for the bridge anil its approaches, the expenditures
for operating, repairing, and maintaining the same, and of daily tolls
collected shall be kept and shall be available for the information
of all persons interested.

Sec. 4. The said Chesapeake Hay Bridge Company, its successors,
and assigns shall within ninety days after the completion of such
bridge file with the Secretary of War a sworn itemized statement
showing the actual original cost of constructing such bridge and its
approaches, the actual cost of acquiring any interest in real property
necessary therefor, and the actual financing and promotion cost.
The Secretary of War may at any time within three years after
the completion of such bridge investigate the actual cost of con-
structing the same, and for such purpose the said Chesapeake Bay
Bridge Company, its successors, and assigns shall make available
ali of its records in connection with the financing and the construc-
tion thereof. The findings of the Secretary of War, as to the actual
original cost of the bridge, shall be conclusive, subject only to review
in a court of equity for fraud or gross mistake.

Sec. 5. The right to sell, assign, transfer, and mortgage all the
rights, powers, and privileges conferred by this Act is hereby granted
to the said Chesapeake Bay Bridge Company, its successors, and
assigns, and any corporation to which or any person to whom such
rights, powers, and privileges may be sold, assigned, or transferred,
or who shall acquire the same by mo?'tgage foreclosure, or otherwise,
is hereby authorized and empowered to exercise the same as fully
as though conferred herein directly upon such corporation or person,

Sec. 6. The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby
expressly reserved.

Approved, February 15, 1927.

[Public — No. 250— 70th Congress]

[S. 1498]

An Act To extend the time for the construction of a bridge
across the Chesapeake Bay, and to fix the location of said bridge.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assevibled, That the times for
commencing and completing the construction of a bridge authorized
by Act of Congress approved February 15, 1927, to be built by the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Company, a corporation, across the Chesa-
peake Bay, is hereby extended one and three years, respectively, from
the date of approval hereof.

Sec. 2. That the consent of Congress is hereby granted to the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Company, its successors and assigns, to
construct, maintain, and operate said bridge and its approaches across
the Chesapeake Bay at a point suitable to the interests of navigation,
from a point in Baltimore County, Maryland, south of Back River,
to Hart Island, to Miller Island, and thence to some point in Kent
County, Maryland, between thirty-nine degrees and twelve minutes
and thirty-nine degrees and thirteen minutes and thirty seconds
north latitude.

Sec. 3. That the right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby
expressly reserved.

Approved, April 10, 1928.

L

Senate of Maryland £

■ No.- &&■«)<

ME. B-EOK- BKCK. McINTOSH, HARRISON

■ And 'the- Sla1c'> ttoads ami 'Highways. - «*8

■^ — ! —

■ - "..By- the S KN A '['[-;, -.,J;»ui;mv. -2."j.-.!ft)2?:

Introdueed, Bead First Time and Referred" to .Messrs. Beck, Mcin-
tosh, Harrison and (lie StafeKoads and Highways'.

Bv Oct ler.

-

B. R. CROTIN^K. Secretary.

.

A

■

': ■■■•''<' ! >tm -:

'■ . : ■■ . ■

K.VI II B|>B ,,;

AN ACT to authorize T-he Chesapeake- \'-;>y 1 '. ri. [-,■ Company lis sW--
cessors and assigns to eonsfrurt and o'-pentie a '§^3fe f, W%r Me
Chesapeake Bay according to plans to- he- ifSpi?ov4d & '*8y the
State Roads I 'omiuissinn, to gjan] eonseni In the OSS "I' cer-
tain lands under, the waters r oi I lie. ba.y v tp a.ul Jmri/e said <■: >m -
pany its successors and assigns to. eollep± fcolls*for Mm ..use -of
said bridge, to fix a gross receipts tax. to lie paid by said com
pany its successors and assigns in lieu- op all. ,ol her laxatii-m,
to confer upon said company its ^uccesspra -and assigns the
power, of condemnation, lo .prohibit tin* construction of anv
other bridge over said bay within ten. miles oi' said bridge.
and to provide the further terms and conditions on which

■■■- > -'.,,,- .'■■ ■:- ■-.(. m

said bridge inav be constructed and operated. , ,

Wi ikskas, - it- - w ill, prowot e; ••tin* prosperity." of; -niio pgtaple H i
this Stafc lhat a bridge bsss«on?ii , 4i*fi!*sa«rfls^.?ttiB (jinMftpc^lc

Bay. join ii-i-^. t her western ■-■■.and-:.eftst( , rH*>;lwriT*s ivf'sn'rid Ba.y. : $$&

„, Jrt "■-•''"".ni' ,-, *T " if - u -I :T "'' '- "" *^

Whereas, me Chesapeake Bay Bridge Company, a eor-
poration duly created and existing linder the laws 01 this State,
has offered to eonstrad such bridge' ami to maintain ii as a
toll bridge. 0,1-1 ihe.eo'ndit ions- beret iKifU-r provided-: ■ : - i

1 Section 1 . Be it . nacted by tfu General, Ansentbly oj Mary-

2 ifmd, That The r'hrsafK'Hkr Bay Britl^ (ompany. a corpora-

3 tion duly created and existing under the general laws of

4 this State, is hrrebv authorized to eonshniet a 'orwge nv.-r the

i) (.Itesapcake Bay trom th«l par! m Ralttmrttv I minly Know*

Ii -tis Patapsi-o River Neck, in a point in Kent ('otttity between

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SENATE BILL No. 62

7 Rock Hall and To! chest er Beach, together with appropriate

H fills, approaches and appurtenant structures, and to maintain,

9 operate, repair and rebuild the same

1 Sec 2, Hi: it further 6-nacted, That i the driveway of said

2 bridge shall be of a width of at least twenty {2Q) feet and
:j that said bridge shall be constructed with at least two draws
4 suitable for the passage of vessels, one of which draws shall
."> In- located in the main channel of said Hay and shall be at
(> least two hundred (200) feet in width, and the other of which

7 draws shall be Located at a convenient point on the western

8 side of the main channel and shall be at least forty (40) feet
!l in width; and that before said Company shall undertake the

10 const ruction of said bridge the plans and specifications there-

1 1 of. including the specifications of the draws to be included in

12 said bridge, shall be submitted to and approved by the State

13 Roads Commission.

1 Sec. 3 lit it further enacted, That said Company may agree

2 with the owners for the land, water rights, or other property
:! and for the earth, stone or other material necessary for the
4 construction, protection, maintenance, repair or rebuilding of
;!» said bridge, roads and ways thereto, toll houses, lodges and
fi other buildings or .structures necessary for the proper opera-

7 tion of said bridge, and the rights acquired by agreement

8 shall t>e conveyed by deed duly acknowledged and recorded.
II In ea.se of failure to agree, or of disability of the owners to

10 contract, or of their absence from the State, the corporation

11 may obtain the lands, water rights or other property, sartk,

12 stone or other material by condemnation* The State of Mary-

13 land hereby consents to the use and occupation of the lands

14 lying under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. necessary for
to the construction and operation of said bridge ami the approaches

~^, jU Mi and appurtenances thereto.

1 Sec. 4. Be. it further enacted, That said Company shall

2 grant to the State Roads Commission or to its authorized rep-
:' rescntativBS, at all reasonable times, free access to the work
4 t« be carried on in the construction of said bridge, and to all
a maps, profiles, contracts, reports of engineers, accounts, books,
records, and all other papers and documents relating thereto.

'

i

SKXATK BILL No. 63 3

1 Srcc. 5 fit it further nmcied, thiil said Company is hen?-

2 by authorized to fix ami to revise from time to time lolls; for
',> transit over said bridge and to charge and collect the same,

4 and to fix by contract with any person, partnership, associa-

5 lion, or corporation desiring the use of said bridge, approaches,
fi appurtenances and works, or any part thereof, for placing
7 thereon water, gas or oil pipe line, telephone, telegraph, elee-

G8 trie light or power line or foe any other purpose,, the terms, - *

9 conditions and rates of charges for such use,. The rates of J

10 tolls and charges so fixed shall be the legal rates, unless and

I Sec. 0. Tie it further enacted, that no person, partnership,

11 until changed by order of the Public Service Commission, as

12 may he authorized by Law.

o

association or corporation, private or •public,, shall l«< authorized

3 to, and it shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, a-sso-

4 ciation or corporation, private or public, to construct, or oper-
.'> ate any bridge over the waters of the Chesapeake Bav at. a
(i distance less than ten miles from the bridge to be erected in
i pursuance of this Act, except such other bridge be erected

i <, , 8 after the acquisition by the State of the bridge to be erected.

9 pursuant hereto, and with the consent oft.be General Assembly.

1 Sec. 7. Hi it further enacted, .tiiife^- ^totp twij yi vi n fran-

2 chise tax, is hereby levied annually upon the gross receipts
'■> of said company, its successors and assigns, derived front the

4 tolls and revenues from said bridge; such State tax being as

5 follows, to wit : «ui4ialf '.6'LjHM^-pe-i*-«wiUjo# so much of such
G gross reeeipte as shall be not in excess of $506,000.00 in any
7 one year, and in addition thereto*^* per cent of so much of
H such gross receipts a„s shall l)e in excess of $500,000 00 for such
9 year/ and that for the purpose of determining said tax said

10 Company,Jts sdrafcakdrenind assists, shall make the appropriate

1 1 reports and be subject to the appropriate penalties provided

12 in Sections 172 to 191, inclusive, i>f Article 81 of the Code of

13 Public Genera! Laws of this State. Said tax shall be in lieu

14 of all taxes which might otherwise be levied by this State, or

15 by any county, municipality or other taxing authority therein
Hi upon said Company, its successors or assigns, hawed upon the

17 the ownership of said bridge, its fills, approaches and rights

18 of way or other properties servieeabre in the operation of said

19 bridge or based upon the receipt of incomes derived directly or

L

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I .{*K.V r VT!£>! r MU' .N.i>. Ii2

20 iinlji-cfilv ..from .Uicopctvihoi] . i hereof or based upon the fran-

•2d ..jcbisus granted. :hi connection 1 herewith,, and. shall -.also be in

.22.. lien h1!. all. such olhejy 1 axes .upon. 1 he holders of the capita]

,2;> -tori; -oi'. said Ipwsw, i.is successors or ;issi<iiis f based upon

..2.^ ..^lie^owiLershrp by -said, I 'ooip.any,, lis successors or assigns of

,.2e ; ,,:said,4irrdgr.'iy(ud\-ijs i a-},Hj,pt'ie7ian.ees .nr based .upon the receipt

..^(Jv'Uy .sa.id. .(■(imiiiimv. its : -,iK'i-t:.ssors or. assigns,. -of the tolls and

27 : . . revenues. ; hereof., it 1 if in .ul' hereby declared t ha 1 .said Company,

...2K, :M h.s sytccessors and. .assign s,.,;uid thp holders of said shock .shall

.2!* .lie.jkirew'r.vt'nii.vaiid <'.\emp1. From, all of said faxes. .

m i«w»gRs4: ffi ■;, ), tr )hn- ma9k$, Thai Che right to sell, as-
- sign, transfer and mortgage all' Of any part' of its property.

:! j.neluding all. ni' any ■ pari .of ihe franchises, rights, powers,

.4- -privileges;, and imnaiiu; ies conferred by this Act or otherwise

. ."> acifiiirod js^tereby. granted 1o.;*ud Company, and to its suc-

:..,Li : , ecssors. ; ynd assigns; and. that any • person,,- partnership, asso-

,. 7, eiathin ^..corporation to whiehsneh property, franchises, rights,

. <S 'powers, privileges and innniinities or any thereof 2nay be sold,

■ !>.. assigned .> or transferred, -or who shall acquire the same by
,10 .mortgage foreclosure 'or otherwise, is hereby authorized and
.11 uni.powored do own said property, and to- hold, exercise and

12 have such franchises, right, ' powers, privileges and immuni-

13 ties as fully as though conferred herein directly upon such
. ■ ■■■■■ ■ustats^ - ■■■' ■■ -■.••■•

14 person, partnership, association <>;* corporation.

■ : ..* • ■ : ■.. . ww ■ • ■■ ...- ■■•■■■■■ ■

,.;. \ ;■■■ 'Sw. !),- Jir-il iin-tli/r emir 1 <>,>!, lhat in addition to its power
ji-,t:2 'to aeqnire..said bridge and appuHena]ifc,.propert.y by condemna-
?3E# lion upon payment.- -of . just : compensation as now provided by
:..- 4i.<.st.aUiJ'nry .and eoiisiiiutional authority, the State ; of Maryland
;v.ii. -shaW'. JHt-vertlU' ^righc . .wpon o.r after the expiration of twenty
:,t4'i ..years :.f row tit*; .' date tt.i tlu- opoiiiny of said bridge, to traffic
■ ..7 :, and- ■ u po'n not. .Jess than -1 w<> yea.rs' notice in writing from the
:■■ 8 4- '4) air-man-' ■.'■of tlifivHlato bonds ( 'ottimission to- the Company,
8i « Ms suceessoTs,. 1 or- assigns,, to. lake : V)ycr b,\* purchase, at cost,

■ do ..: .sa id bridge-.!- together with' all. other pr.o.perty,- rights, and ap-
vl C.;.'..piirt chances owned and .held by --.said Company, its .successors
vul^Cor assigns then- valuable and serviceable in .the maintenance

1 : > :■ a m 1 : opc nt t iim-i (-rf 1 , said ■ bridge.' Such -east ■ shall; be determined
14. • by .agreement' bet ween lire- -Stale Roads (Commission and the
teif '■■.sabl.^'ouipatjy. its successors or assigns,, and in case' of ifailure
."•.■-■■ y.: :'-.;, .:...-, ..:■:,.■.;,' -■.■ :>,..;. ',,. ; ; . ■ :.■ -,- sS&i.'J

CJ)

SENATE 151 LI, No. 62 5

16 ito agree, by ;i proceeding in Equity ix> be instituted by the

17 State of .Maryland in the Circuit Court of Baltimore County,
IS with the right of either party to appeal to the Court of Ap-
19 peals of Maryland,

1 Six:. 10. Be it further entitled, that none of the provisions

2 contained in Sections 153 to 160, inclusive, of Article 23 of

3 the Code of Public General [jaws of this State shall be deemed

4 to be applicable to said bridge or to said Company, its suc-
.") cessors and assigns with respect thereto.

1 Skc. 11. Be it further enacted, that the authority hereby

2 granted shall cease and be null and void, unless the construe-

3 ti (mi of said bridge be commenced within two years and eom-

4 pleted within five years from the date of approval hereof.

1 Sec. 12. lie it further enacted, that the provisions of this

2 Act arc .subject to all valid and applicable provisions of laws

3 of the United States, concerning bridges over navigable waters

4 of the United States.

vJjT f^t*-

Senate of Maryland

No. 255

MR. ROE- Roads and Highways

By the SENATE, February 22, 1927.

Introduced, Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on
Roads and Highways.

By Order,

E. R. CR< >THERS, Secretary-

A BILL

■NTITL1D

AN ACT h> authorize the Chesapeake Tunnel and Bridge Company
to construct, maintain and operate a tunnel and bridge under
and over the waters of the Chesapeake Bay from a poinl ;ii or
near Sandy Poinl in Anne Arundel Count} to a point on [Cent
Island in Queen Anne's County.

1 Section I. Bt it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-

2 land, That the t hesapeake Tunnel and Bridge Company a

3 Corporation existing under the Laws of the State of Maryland

4 is hereby authorized to construct, maintain and operate a bridge,

5 consisting partly of a bridge over ami partly of a tunnel under
(> the waters of the Chesapeake Bay from Anne Arundel County
7 to Kent island in Queen Anne's County together with (lie
$ appropriate fills, approaches and appurtenant structures and
9 to maintain, operate, repair and rebuild the same; and that

10 the said tunnel and bridge Company be granted also the rights

11 and privileges for a distance of seven hundred and fifty feel

12 (750') on both sides of said bridge.

1 Sec. 2. Bt it further enacted, Thai the width of the clear

2 roadway or said tunnel and bridge shall not he less than eighteen

3 feel (18'), and that the tunnel shall be under the channel of

4 said Bay and shall be one thousand live hundred feel i 1,500')

5 in width, and the depth of it shall be forty-five feel i 15') below
t lie mean low tide of said Chesapeake Bay; and said tunnel

7 and bridge shall be so loeated and constructed so as to provide

8 an unobstructed .ship channel of approximately one thousand

9 five hundred feet (1,500') in width and forty-five feet (45') in

I SENATE BILL No. 255

LO depth below the iiiciLii title of said Chesapeake Bay, to bo deter-

11 mined by the tidal conditions at Sandy point Light; and said

12 Company shall submil its plans for the construction of said

13 tunnel and bridge and all specifications therof to the State

14 Roads Commission of .Maryland for its approval,

1 Skc. 3. Be it further emacted, That said Company shall

2 have the power to acquire the land, water rights or other

3 property appropriate and necessary for its corporate purposes

4 either by private purchase or by condemnation, in accordance

5 with the procedure of the General Laws of the State of Mary-
Is land .■

7 The State of .Maryland hereby consents to the use and opera-

8 tion of the lands lying under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay

9 necessary or appropriate for the construction, maintenance,

10 operation and repair of said tunnel and bridge and the

11 approaches thereto, jind of such lands and waters lying eon-

12 tiguous thereto reasonably necessary or appropriate to prevent

13 damage to said tunnel or bridge.

1 Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That said Company is author-

2 Hzed to fix and charge tolls for transit through said tunnel or

3 over said bridge, and to collect the same, and make contracts

4 for the use of the facilities of said tunnel and bridge and the
" 5 approaches thereto, — said rates shall always be subject to the

fi approval of the Public Service Commission of Maryland; and

7 said Company shall be required to place buoys at a distance

8 of live hundred feet (500') away from said bridge and to

place and put up such signals, buoys and lights as the Federal

10 Government may require to protect navigation in the Chesa-

11 peake Bay.

1 Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That said Company shall not

2 be liable for any gross receipt tax to the State of Maryland

3 until it shall have earned eight per cent. (8%) on the capital

4 invested,

1 Sec. (). Be it further enacted, That the Company shall have

2 the right to sell, assign, transfer and mortgage any pail of its

3 property, and shall have the further right and power to transfer,

(

SENATE RILL No. 255 3

4 assign, mortgage and dispose of any of its franchises, privileges

.") and powers.

.1 Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, Thai the Authority hereby

2 granted shall eease anil be mill and void unless the construction

3 of said bridge be eoinnu'iieed williiii two years after the passage

4 of this Act.

1 Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That the privileges of this

2 Act arc always snbjecl to the (Jaws of the United Stales eon-

3 ceniiiifj tunnels under and bridges over the navigable waters

4 of said United Slates.