The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-19

| Meeting or the Chamber Of Commerce. The
| Plan Of the Bridge Approved-A spicy De-
bate.
| The Chamber OF Commerce OF this city convened
In special meeting at their rooms, cVner OF william
and Cedar streets, yesterday afternoon, at one
O'Clock. In the absence OF the president Mr. George
| Opdyke First Vice President, took the chair. The
object Of the meeting was to receive report from
committee on the subject Of the East river bridge.
| The committee was appointed two weeks ago, and
| consisted OF Mr.. Henry A. Wortnngton, Chair
| man, and Messrs. Sinclair Tousey AMI George
| Opdyke Mr.. W0rthington read the report, which
was 70 the eject that the committee ask to be
eved OF the further consideration Of the matter
1t would take months to fully investigate it, and it
being moreover. beyond the objects and scope OF the
Chamber, which were purely commercial. Hence the
action OF the committee was confined to Investigate
whether the proposed bridge would injurc navfga-
tion which was found be the case, as Its ele
walton was 100 feet above high water, and but few
vessels have masts higher than that, and these can
lower their topmast spars at slight expense. The
committee reported, therefore, the following pream-
BILE and resolution
Whereas this Chamber at its las. meeting adopted reson
ry Withhold its sanction 10 the suspension bridge
across the East river and the
strucsions to the navigation OF said river shereore
se senate 81 s . s
any objections within the scope Of its official
bridge.
MIR. A. A. Low moved that the report be accepted
which was carried and he Then moved that the pre-
amble and resolution be adopted, whereupon Mr..
Dow rose and inquired Of Mr.. Worthington whether
the committee had considered any other plans than
that OF the bridge, 10 which question the Chairman
replied thai they did notf under the view they took
OF their duties, but that they had received several
river with solid structures. having draw bridges
for passing vessels, which, however they did
test against the proposed bridge, and supported
his protest by q long argument during which he
stated that the bridge will not be Of any
such benefit as Is now supposed, as can acconm0-
date but small portion OF the community. He re-
fcrred as an example to the bridge across the Ohio
from Cincinnati 10 Covington, that, while the fer
ries are crowded only here and there passenger Is
seen ON tue bridge lie TAR. Dow was not an 0pp0-
nent Of any measure that win do good to the city,
| Blu. this bridge he opposed The very engineer
who proposes TO build IL had three bridges already
fallen down, and this mag be the fourth The ele-
sells with psasts 16s feet high, ana che expense OF
covering the topnast spars would be two hundred
dollars. This bridge would impose debt OF twenty
The average OF the duration OF this kind
Of bridge Is from ten to twenty years,
and for thar the expense Is too much.
lie considered it piece Of folly 10 presume that 1t
Is possible 10 erect span OF ooo t clear, that 1t
would be unsafe and that Mr.. Roebling the engineer
had himself said that on windy day no one would
venture the bridge. Mr.. Dow then explained the
dock system, which would give piers, wharves,
docks warehouses; and free crossing on a level
with the shore lines. IL Is the opinion Of eminent
engineers that something OF the Kind must be done
TO preserve the entrances 10 our habor and 10 meet
the wants OF our trade. The bridge Is mere cipher
compared with the docks proposed, and he would
offer the following as substitute for the resolution
Of the committee:-
Resolved That committee OF three he appointed by the
chair whose duty shall be 70 convene Board Of
the Coast Survey Washington request Board
h ma q Es ss
rivers with special reference the ructon Of open
nm n4i
vessels decide II dykes would favorabIy
the s liver without injury to SArScr q New YORK;
Resolved, That said committee be authorized 70 such
deem best for obtaining the pay
the expenses OF such examination.
Mr.. $. B. CHTrTEyDFS believed the substitute to
be al least fifty years In advance OF the times If
vote were taken on 1t to-day 10 would be no less
than nfty years before the people would consent TO
the damming up OF the East river and Thus inter-
ferc with tile laws OF nature and OF God. Even
with the bridge ferries Will still be used by those
I whom the bridge might be too much out OF the
way The estimated cost was nine fniiliona--it may
run up 10 fifteen milllonsbut even II II cost twenty
i've millions 1t was worth all that Mr.. Chittcnden
referred to the amendment offered by Senator Nor
gan TO the House bill now pending In the senate,
calculated TO protect the interests OF both cities and
OF the shipping by providing that the bridge shall
he constructed SO as not TO oostruct impair or IN
juriously modify navigation, making the consent OF
Congress subject to the approval Of the Secretary OF
War 0, The plan submitted 10 MIN, and reservng 10
Congress the right any time hereafter to alter,
amend or repeal the grant.
Mr.. Dow again replied and reiterated his opinion
that 1t was folly TO attempt 10 build bridge with
sixteen hundred feet span, whereupon MIR Chitten-
den read three resolutions passed and signed by six
engineers-Horatio Allen, H. II. Laihrop J. II. Kirk
wood. william J. McADin, J. button steele and
julius W. Adams-all agreeing that the plan OF Mr..
Mr.. 7. BAILY MYERS, oneof the corporators in the
bill granting the charter, advocated the adoption OF
Inc resolutions OF the committee, as Mr. Roebllne's
plan had been carefully considered and approved OF
BY many experienced AMI practical men.
Mr.. DEMAs iARSes, member Of Congress from
Brooklyn stated that the United States senate felt
and he was authorized TO say that immediate action
was necessary. The committee OF the Senate having
the bll IN charge were unanimously in favor
Of It, and to sustain them, rs Congress
was about TO adjourn, the vote on the resolution
largely into statistics, showing that the rapdty OF
expansion was greater IN Brooklyn than New York,
while Il was ID per cent in BrooSiyn since ne con-
soidation m 1860. With this percentage OF yearly
increase IN New York. the whole space OF Mauhat-
tan isandhaving $4,000 lots, counting ~ lots TO
the acre--would have an overflow Of $4,000 souls
unable TO house them. The increase In wealth and
population, he said, has but Inst commenced. Be-
lore the Introduction OF railroads the annual increase
IN the national wealth OF the country was s13 265 900
year. T. is now CO., or 5000 per cent more
pie; IN 1870 u will have 100000 In 1880 TINS
viii have increased 20 1,loo,Ooo; In 1890 70
ing OF the next century the cities Of New YORK and
Brooklyn would number, 81 the rate OF present con-
SS sca On corec
The substitute was brought TO vote and lost only
Mr.. bow and two others voting for t. Mr.. WORTH
tngton then concluded the debate ny defending Mr.
RoeblIng against what he termed the 'snppant at
tacks' OF Mr.. Dow. and said that ne was bold,
safe, original reliable engineer Of whom the coun-
try may be proud. Mr.. Dow disayoweh any personal
feeling In the matter and after feH remarks from
Mr.. Opdyke the resolutions reported by the CON-
mittee In favor OF the bridge were almost unanl-
mousy adopted when the meetiag adjourned.
---------~------------
MILK LEAKA0E.--rhe milk producers have been
| holding convention at Manchester, NJ. VI. In the
course Of the proceedings * eaked outr that II was
impossible 10 execute thr law regarding the exten
sonv Of mix when lasr ihnn twenty five nnr cent OF