The New York herald., 1874-07-23
THE GREAT UEFINISHED-THE EAST River
BRIDGE.
Progress and Prospects.

Progress aMd Prospects.
For all that the East River Bridge is progressing
SLOWLY slowly, while politicians and municipalities
are discussing tie vexed question OF "Who shall
payf" the directors are attending to their business
with what means they have, and the results Of
this pertinacity will soon be apparent the
mighty structure itself. Nominally they nave been
at work since June 25 but only now are the signs
OF Their activity apparent to the casual observer.
Yesterday and Tor several days past the massive
stone blocks necessary Tor either tower have been
landing from barges on both sides OF the river.
number OF men are employed in assisting the dis
charge OF these blocks and IN preparing cement
ana other requisites Tor the work or a more ad-
vanced season. Most OF the stone now arriving is
IRON tile Kingston quarries.
The work az the Brooklyn anchorage is progress
ing with much rapidity. Here there are employed
about thirty-.hree luborers and seventeen crafts
men, anu the RUG OF their picks and mallets Is to
be regularly neard from morning until eve. The
masonry at this anchorage Is more than six leet
above the surface, and its early completion is de-
termlned on by the Clel Engineer.
With regard to the two towers OF the Great I'm
finished lutte can be said, eXce1t that when the
stone mas arrived in sufficient quantity and the
stamps are forthcoming their lurther elevation
will be at once attended to. Even without the
municipal stamps the directors are resolved to 90
stone in their possession The Brooklyn
tower is now 222 feet above high water, and
the arch centres and derricks are all in position
and ready to resume work a. once. Mr.. Roebng
THINKS that he can complete this tower this season
WlrIiOuJ Idl. Inc New i OTA ICWcT is now lZ3 lect
above nigh water, and everything is ready 10 re-
sumo work at once. A period OF two years has
been set as the limit OF its completion. AS regards
he New York anchorage nothing has yet been
Gone, but the engineer hopes tnat 1t may be CON-
peted by the time the masonry OF the towers Is
ready tor the cable making Mr. Roebling says:-
Tho TACT Jhat the New York anchorage was
not commenced Tor year after the Brooklyn
anchorage VIII not interfere with the continuous
prosecution OF the work on the bridge, since the
Brooklyn anchorage should be completed ar
least SIX months in advance OF that in New
York to give time for the erection or the work.
shops; besides, the New York anchorage being Sit
uaied in sheltered position. the work upon 1t
Will not be suspended by the frosts OF winter, as
the work in more cXi o-cd positions would be.
The latest report or the Finance Committee states
that up to May L. Including 100000 paid New York
for land, but lett unsettled by request OF its Comp
troiler, the total expense has been $4,4S6 l53 81.
OF this amount fUJO,41S SO was paid for land,
S39s06 Tor material hand, and 49, 455, 76S Is Tor
bridge construction.
AS things now are, there is hope that the bridge
will march to au early completion, and It's best
friends, on botn sides OF the river, are sangunc
both OF pecuniary aud engineering success.