The New York herald., 1876-12-15
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THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.

WIRE TEsTING-AR. HILL AND HIS AccUsERs-
THE QUESTION OF AN ASSOCIATE ENGINEER.
The work oftes,ing the samples wire tue Brook
lyn brdge continued yesterday morning a pier 20
East River, aud the report OF the engineers will DO
laid before tho board OF Trustees Monday Tho
tests the short pieces have been uniformly
ul but tho long pieces Of 90 and l20 feet have NOT
stood tho strain in such satisfactory manner
Yesterday afternoon HERALD reporter called at tho
office OF Mr. Albert Hill consulting engineer and
found that gentleman rather dissatisfied with the vague
answer 10 his interview that had been made by the
bridge people. The following conversation cnsucd:--
REpoRrgR--Mr. Hill, did you read tho article In
this mornings HERALD eivlng tho views of tho bridge
employees as to The statements made by you?
Mr.. HILL did; and as the bridge employees np
pear to question my motives shall be obliged to agaii
make of your columns, with the Wow Of fully
substantiatipg everything have stated. havo been
drawn into this controversy very much against my
will, and nothing was further from my mind than TO
make personal attack upon any Of tho gentlemen
connected with the bridge. The gentleman who said
that my statement was madc 'neroy In the interest
OF some dsa ppontcd steel manufacturer lies-undcr
misapprehcnson am in no way connected with,
have been retained by, any steel or wire manu-
factrr and propose to let tho burden OF the proof OF
this with the party that made it, In
gard to my statement not being founded upon facts,
all have TO is that careful perusa OF tho speci
ncaliops Will fully demonstrate 10 any that have
not gone beyond the evidence furnished by them.
REroRrER-Who arc the engineers IN charge Of tho
work?
Mr. Hull do not know all tho engineers connected
with the work. The most prominent among them are
W. A. Roebng chief engineer; Mr.. Martin and Colonel
Pane.
REPORTER suppose Mr.. Roeblng is in immediate
charge Of the work. and personally Directs a The engi
necring operations connected with tho bridgci
Mr. Hull believe that is tho case. At the same
time know ho has been suffering from illhcalth for
some time past and that for this reason, well ha
immediate connection with tho firm OF John a. Roob-
ns's Sons Mr. Lloyd AspnwaIl, as carly as March q,
offered resolution tho Board OF Trustees Tor tho np
poin,mcnt Of an associate engineer.
RKroRrKR-was that resolution OF Nj. Aspin Wallis
Mr. iILL-Mr Thurber spoke in favor Of acting
upon the resolution, but some member, do not rc-
member which, expressed lear ina. thc chici ca.
take offence at such action he might resign and leave
them, whcrcnpon the motion Of Mr. Aspinwal
laid on the table
PURCHASING WIRE.
REroRrER-Havc all the wiros so far furnished for
tho bridge been made under the FIRST contract?
Mr. Hull not knox how mach mas been fur
nshed under urst contract, but the meeting Of
December President Murphy said that in pursuance
Of the power resting In him he bad mado contracts
ca cabcs"ono % with RocbI,nss OF Trenton; ono @
with Washburn & Mowen, Of Worcester, Mass
OF ten tons each He also said that the engineer
thought II advisable 10 have Two storm cables OF
and a quarter inch diameter provided and tho Rocb-
lpgs OF Trenton, had offered to furnish ihcm within
three weeks at one cent pound less than was bid by
any else ana to make them up to tho standard Of
the Chrome Steo Company and on motion OF Mr..
Strnnahan, Mr. Murphy was authorized to mako that
contract
RsronrKR-At the time Nr. Murphy authorized
to make this contract was Mr. w. \. Roebing mem
Der OF the tlrm Of the Rocbiings OF Trenton2
Mr.. HiEIr-No, sir AZ the meeting OF september
Mr. Hewitt offered TO add the following clause to the
tho main cables then In the hands of
tho Executive Committee bids from any hrm OF
company In which any trustee, officer or engineer of
tho bridge has Interest VIII not be received or
sidcrcd nor will the successful bidder DO allowed 10
sub-lct any portion Of this contract to any
such person or company" In explanation thereof
Mr.. Hewitt said that no was partner
In lrm dealing &: WIRE, but no
considered himself and his 1rm prccludcd from
bidding on the contract, and justly Ho had pre-
sonlcd the clause for consideration out OF justice TO
the trustees themselves. Az the November meeting
Mr. Murphy announced that Colonel W. A. RoebIing,
the chief cneInccr Of the bridge had sold out OF the
firm OF John a. Roebling's Sons and was no longcr
member OF that nrm.
ASSOCIATE ENGINEER.
RrPORrER--Was that resolution OF Mt. Asptnwallt
10 appoint associate engineer ever taken up AGAIN.
Mr. lIILL--I believe al the November meeting Mr.
Aspinwaii called up hts resolution. MIR. Stranahan
objected and then IL suggested that Mr. koobling
should appoint hts associate. The motion
amended and passed that the committee OF three
should be appoin ted to whether associate
needed, and believe that tho last OF IT,
REroarER-Havc you any further statement 10
makcs
Mr. nrLL-I have not volunteered and do not pro.
pose furnish any statements unless compelled TO II
aQif defenco.