The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-31

40 hazard could result thsreo he being provided with
machinery competent to his mode OF execution his
experience and personal interests furnished semcen rea-
sons for the engineers compliance In executing this his
machinery proved detective and the bridge fell both spans
having been demolished -
II win thus be seen that the main arguments used TO pre-
iudice minds against the military engineer experimenting
and against the contractor and his work. have no founda
ton in fact atot4
Satsnent Of facts relaiing 10 Me Lille Falls Brge ebOos
Geofgetocn.
The undersigned contracted early May 1859 10 build
an iron bridge the Potomac the Little FAILS ana
ato finish all the parts of said bridge except the pahug
and masonry thereof and bound himself to complete ~
the best and most workmanlike manner aeeoiunE ns
plans Of Captain Thorn, all the snpestrusture =, sa
bridge and furnish all the materials ana Woihpasp ~
auired for the scaolding and superstructuie on e ~
specified In the contract -. -. !, ~
best quality being the numerous specimens
tested examined and approved by Captain Thorn
An parts of the work were free from detects.
la charge of having concealed defects by hng them
with lead or otherwise entirely without foundation in
truth The bridge at the time OF the late accident was
not complete according to contract and OF course was not
in readiness to be delivered to the government ocer IN
charge. ,..,, -. ~ ox.;,,
and occurred in the absence of Captain Thom who by
contract and in fact in respect responsible therefor
II being solely the consequence of unforeseen detects IN the
machinery used the occasion, and not IN the super
itself The manner OF settng tlle
mates and adjusting the bridge thereto We're such as the
undersigned deemed most convenient and advisable for
that purpose "no' - nD"
WASHINGTON CRY, May 25, 1854
SIM Statements having been made calculated 10 leave
the impression on the public mind that the late disaster at
Little Falls bridge occurred IN consequence OF chahge
having been made by your direction, in the manner Of
Supporting the ends Of bridge in order to allow for the
EXPANSION and contraction Of the metal and that said
change was made after the bridge had been trd IN Its
proper position the PIERS deem an aci OF usuce 10
send you the following statement OF the facts OF e case
80 far as they came to my knowledge: . -
Early in January last and before the contractor MI III
der hd got either span of his iron upersucture ready
to be moved to its position the piers you directed me-
as foreman of masonry to have the grooves cut IN the
stonework to receive the iron bedates 1.-THE drawings Of
on which the superstructure was finally to rest and IN my
yor suggested Mr. Rider the proprey OF ma
KING those necessary arrangements at that time 10 TINS
he objected stating that 1t would be more convenient 70
him TO have those arrangements MADE aite ms span WAS
supported by the piers On your calling ms atenuon 10
the difficulty of raising such heavy mass IN lis heh po
son he replied that 1t could easily be DONE and that he
could get the necessary power with his ack.screW IN,
sancing one Of the bridges in Washington winch ne had
thus raised You then countemanded the order you had
given me- remarkng that there would be stone cutter
present attend to that matter whenever Mr. MUTT ""'
ready for his services
The above statement am willing to substantlae by
OATH and you liberty to make such use OF as you
may deem proper -.
am sir with the greatest respect your humble servant
II WIN. COLLINS
Capt Gro THoa Corps Top Engineers, U. s. A,
in charge of construction of Little Falls bridge