New-York tribune., 1873-05-20
UNDERMINING THE BRIDGE.
THE spECTuATORs FOnED.

POINTED INQUIRIES IN REGARD 10 THE MANAuh-
NiKNT OF THE ENTERPRISE.
In anticipation of another exciting debate
regarding the East River Bridge management, and
owing to the that t had been reported that an at
temp woud be made by members Of the Brooklyn Com
mon Council 70 secure the passage of resou-
tons urging the Legislature to relieve the stockholders
of the Bridge OF their stock and thus bring about the
virtual abandonment of the enterprise, the Council
chamber was again crowded during the meeting yester
day afternoon After the of routine busi-
ness the order of resolutions rsched. Alderman
Richardson called up resolution offered by him at the
previous meeting aud laid over, as follows:
Resoged That in the Judgment Of the Common Coun-
satisfied and ought not to be satisfied with bridge
between the two cities the OF which is not rs aDso
arc Broadway and FulJonst.
RcsoDod That are therefore in favor Of such legis
laiiOn as viii provide for the retirement OF all piNae
stockholders nom OWnerships IN said bridge on eq.
BILE terms, and for the future prosecution OF the MOIk
thereon solely at the public cost OF the cities OF New
York and Brooklyn, and under the charge OF eHl3ehi
directors, the udicious OF whom by the local
authorities Of both cities shall be carefully provded for
IN numerical proportion TO The amount contributor oS
each city TO the cost OF construction
Alderman Richardson that he desired before the
motion was put to make remarks for the purpose
of showing why the resolutions should be adopted ana
the city assume control Of the Bridge enterprise NO
question had attracted much publc attention for
years as had the construction OF the East River Bridge
The evidence of two Committees of Investigation had
gone 20 prove that thus far the work had
been well done, and only in the minds OF
few ncrcdulOus persons there any doubt TO the
final results. Every one is fully convinced that the
future OF the great work secured beyond doubt,
and that every has been honestly expended and
accounted for by the Company. The Alderman then
read extracts from the reports Of John a. Roebng in
1866 the probable cost of the work and attempted
to show that large increase the original est-
mates had been OccasOned by the rise in the prices Of
labor and material.
The items Of expense had also, he said been in
creased $1,000 by the fires which had occurred in the
Brooklyn cassou and $4,000 for the coating of
the New-YOrk cassOn. In Offering the resolutions he
desired be understood that he actuated only by
desire advance the welfare Of the city, and claimed
that the Bridge will meet the requirements of the
people until free any Of the bridges In Europe
Alderman Douglass asked whether the stockholders
were willing to have their stock transferred. Alderman
Richardson replied that he had no knowledge on that
point Alderman Douglass then remarked that IT, ac-
cording to the statement of Alderman Richardson the
was proceeding satisfactorily he could not
the great necessity for passing the resolutions at this
time II the money is being economically and well
expended. why make a change
Alderman Richardson-I will ask the Alderman what
guarantee havewe that this state of affairs will continue
if Of the stockholders die and the work falls
into other hands Z
Alderman DOuglass-The past is always q guarantee
for the future.
AN ALDERMAN MAKES FRANK SPEECH.
Alderman Taylor said that he had always been
custOmed follow Alderman Richardson that he felt
certain degree of decacy in venturing to take an op
pOsite stand this case, which, for Importance and in
Huence on the financial prosperity of the city, has
surpassed He unable to discover those urgent
motives that ought exist before the city committed
itself to the wild field Of uncertainty contem-
plated in the resolutions. He confessed that
lie must dissent from the doctrine Of the
first resolution He could not understand why
he bri be n
terprses are and the public be allowed TO enjoy the
advantages as they do those of other private enter
pscs and yet there something In the phraseolOgy
OF the resolutions that apt TO please the public
and lead tie Board away from tho true policy in city
matters. He could not however, allow his judgment Of
the evident results of such policy TO be blinded.
He has failed 10 find anywhere those ev
dences OF financial success in the affairs Of
the company that prudent men would naturally look
for but the contrary he found that the who
barked in the enterprise going counter to it and
taking to stipulate that the cities should
refund them S9i per cent their money and allow
them to withdraw. The trath. in bis mind that the
project started 0ut oih other hopes Han legitimate
gains and then having failed, the projectors willing
70 resign it and saddle the expense upon the
cities. He desired to ask If the Council were
ready TO embark on such an indefinite pro-
ject embodied in the resolutions and to carry on
the gigantic enterprise without knowing definitely where
the money was ocOme lrOm were hey sure thdt the
people whom they represented would indOre this action
ther pOsteHy legacy OF de0ti iDr one, ne Ielt Lhe
stopping and ascertaiuing what would be the result
be led out Of the rational paths OF ordinary
reason by the introduction OF such schemes
He found in this scheme 10 dread than TO hope for
existing as would case him to take SO Important step
aid be know Of reason why the two cities should
proved to them an unfortunate speculation,
not called do by any moral sense, and IL was purely
question proprjty This project must come before
present itself upon its merits with firm conviction
that the people would not view with favor such pro
ject he felt that time had for the adoption
Of the resolutions and should vote on the side OF PLAIN
economy ana against the resolutions.
SUBSTITUTE PROPOSED.
Alderman Trowbldge said that he favored the under
taking but must regard the wishes OF his constituents
who do not desire to have the public debt increased
He offered the following a substitute:
Whereas the time of the legislation for
beginning the erection River Bridge
made by persons engaged IN the enterprise,
cost OF lis completion would not exceed SjOOOOG ana
Whereas. Notwithstanding the recent Investigation
has shown that there has been judlcous and econo'
zeal expenditure OF money up 10 tnis date in pros
the WORK. s. 10000 is nearly exhausted aud the
Whereas IL is due to the taxpayers OF Brooklyn that
tins Common Council should adopt measures whereby
the actual amount Of money yet required tor the cOu-
pletOn Of tie work may DC definitely known before
recommending any legislation that snail IN any way
Increase tie city Indebtedness for the furtherdnce VI
Resoircd That his Honor the Mayor be. and he is
hereby. requested 10 send 10 this Common Council for
confirmation the name of some competent aud tTnst-
worthy engineer not now IN the employ OF the East
River Bridge Company, whose duty snail be TO make
careful survey O the present CONDITION OF the Work Wth
the sources which such money been received,
and also actual statement OF the amount Of money
yet required TO finish the WORK. including the cost OF the
hight OF way each side OF the river with the cost of
acquiring a title the same, as well as the probable
length OF time yet required IOr the completion Oh tDe
work and report the same 10 TINS Common Council at
Resolred fnat the salary compensation Of said en-
gineer be agreed upon by the proper ocers saect TO