The New York herald., 1876-12-20
THE BRIDGE WIRES.
A Talk with General Lloyd Aspinwall Nh Kin
sslla and Another Of the Trustees
What They Think OF Mr.. Hilps
Statements.

tbs letting Of December for the wire cables for the
Brooklyn Bridge has begun to attract the attention OF
tho general public and the greatest curiosity evinced
TO discover what action the Board OF Trustees will take
in regard TO tho bids that have been sent in for their
approval 1t is very generally conceded thai Mr. Hin
has raised somo exceptions to tho mathematical
racy Of the specifications that require some expana-
tion, especially since has received the ndorse
mcnt OF Professor vinton, OF Columbia College.
With view 10 obtaining the feeling OF the trustees
In regard TO Mr.. Hps statements. HERALD reporter
was detailed yesterday 10 interview number OF these
gentlemen. He failed 10 catch President Henry C.
Murphy and Mr. Kingsley, but succeeded IN obtaining
quite interesting talk with General Lloyd Aspn-
wall, Mr. Kinsclla and another member OF the Board,
who however, declined to give his name General
Aspinwai said thar he glad the question being
/ Investigated II the gentleman engaged In the work
competent criticse the work of their engineer
\ Colonel Roebling and also added that although Mr..
Hill claimed have demonstrat the fact that 600
pounds instead OF g. 400 pounds the true breaking
strength OF No. wire tull Birmingham gauge, he
did think |, made any material difference there
5000 wires in each cable, and matter OF The loss
OF 200 pounds each hardly worth noticing.
Mr.. kinsea said he ielt confident OF the ability OF
Colonel Roebling, and that the trustees would do
ample justice 10 every and that the money OF
the two cities not injud clously squandercd. He
Z
steel manufacturers from the bidders. The bashful
gentleman who declined to give his also ap-
pcared fully satisfied that everything was all right.
INTERVIEW AsrIxwALL
A HERALD reporter found General Lloyd Aspinwall
at his Office in South street yesterday afternoon and
the following conversation ensucd:-
RRpoRrgR-i have called to see you, General to
learn II you have read the articles relating 10 the
Brooklyn Bridge recently published In the HERALD. \
General AsPiSwALL-I have read, suppose, most OF
the articles published in the HERALD on subject
but did not pay very much attention to them, as
not acquainted with Nj. Albert Hill. and die not know
whether he was competent TO criticse the specinca
tons drawn up by Colonel Roebing, our chief
gincer
RgroRrxR-Have you formed any opinion on the
points made by Mr.. Hill and indorsed by Professor
vntonY
General AsrlswALL-I cannot say that have Per-
sonally have not been educated engineer. and
also do not think that any OF the members of the
Board Of Trustees are competent TO make report
the specifications. We accepted the spec hcatons
arawn up by engineer. Colonel Roebng, In tho
same way that would accept the work OF q black
smith that | might have engaged shoe my horses.
supposed that the blacksmith understood his busi-
ness, and slso feel confident that the Board OF Trus
have the very highest opinion Of Colonel Roebng
his VIEWS on THE BREAKING STRENGTH
10 the that Mr. Hill claims has been made in the
ultimate breaking strength OF a No. wire, full Br
mingnam gauges Mr.. Hill says that II should be 600
pounds, instead OF 8, 400 pounds.
General AsPiNwALL-Personaly do not think II
makes any material difference whether the breaking
strength is 340O pounds or 5000 pounds II We sup
pose that there 900 wires IN each OF the cables,
difference OF 200 pounds VIII not make much change
The cables are 10 be constructed 10 bear weight Of
40 900 and the weight OF the bridge 900 tons)
Will also be supported by guys oil sufficient strength to
carry IT alone, we have plenty OF margin in hand.
Rkpoarxx-Do you think Nj. HIS demonstrations
Will have any effect on the action OF the trustees?
General AsrswALL-Wel, the trustees would first
certainly like 10 know what Mr. HUI has done:
whether he has ever had any experience testing wre
bull, any WIRE bridges, understands The different
cise the specifications Of Colonel Roeblng. II he is
competent am glad that be has investigated the
natter and he may rest assured that the trustees Will
examine into the issues he has raised. AS 1t is at
present bound to accept the specifications FUR
nshed by the gentleman who holds the position OF
chief engineer, especially when at the opening
OF tho bids do not remember 10 have heard
single complaint from any OF the bidders to the
OF the tests TO which their samples be
subjected II there had been any error being expert
enced in such ihings thcy would probably have al
luded to them with some objection as naturally they
would wish all the samples to receive thorough test
REroRrKK-Have you anything further 10 say in re-
gard the bridge afairsy
General AsrIxwALL-I can only add that-without Of
course speaking OF mysei-it would be hard 10 lind
competent less disinterested party OF gen.
tlenen than those comprising the Board Of Trustees
My position a trustee IS entirely work OF love, and
well regulated and more strictly guarded against fraud
aud Of money than by any system in operation
In any Of our large business houses myself balance
the every quarter and personally vouch for
| the accuracy OF the accounts.
kEPORTER-HaS Deen
| the engineers report on the tcstss
General AsrNwALL-None that ! havc heard Of
i That will be done ny the Executive Committee when
they are ready 10 hand III the report Our next regu
lar meeting Is not until the first Monday in January.
trust that everything in connection with the bridge
will be satisfactory to the public, and If am to bc
1 abused for what do without compensation shall
certainly feel like resign ng in iavor OF any amb-
iious gentleman that may desire TO occupy my seat
1 In the Board.
MR. RIxsELLA TALKS
The reporter then crossed the ferry and calling at the
Ed1e office found Mr. kn6clla with edito
rial duties On hearing what the reporter was seek
ing he very politely consented TO be interviewed and
/ tho following dialogue was heidi
4 REPoRTER-I have come from the HERALD Nr. Kim
sea TO ask YOU as one of the trustees OF the Brook
lyn Bridge IL you have read the articles in relation
the specifications that we have published during the
past days
Mr. KlSsKlLA--I have read the articles that appeared
/ In the columns OF HERALD interviewing Mr. Hill
with much interest, as they were throwing light on
subject win which am not iamiliar but ANXIOUS 10
/ become pos;ca.
RsronrrR-Havo you formed any opinion in regard
| TO the specihcationsY
Mr. kiSsgLlA--In regard to tho specifications can
only FAY that they very carefully scrutinzcd by
members OF the Board Of Trustees that might Dc
supposed TO understand the subject very thoroughly
For instance, Mr. Abram S. Hewitt, OF New York,
/ who IS himself partner in wire manufacturing hrm,
alter examining the specinca lions with great care,
made only suggestion, which was embodied in the
| form OF q resolution and passed by The Board That
resolution to the effect that nobody III any way
connected with tho construction " the bridge should
be permitted to bid for Of The contracts This
understood at the time to have been offered with
view to excluding his firm and that OF the Rocb-
lings Of which Colonel W. A. Roebling, tho chief
! gneer OF the bridge at that time member.
| Since then Colonel Roebling sent Communication to
the Board which he stated that he had sold his
/ interest In the firm Of John A. Roebng's sons
that enabled the firm DO cassed among the bidders.
| OPINION.
sr. Hewitt said that with that exception he regarded
the specifications very definite and correct Under
tnose specifications Board OF Trustees have advcr-
tised for bids for $500 900 pounds OF steel wire The
papers oil this country and Europe, aud IN response
| have received bids from manufacturers In both
countries These bids opened IN executive
sion and the members supposed TO keep secret all
| business transacted at that time.
REroRrgn-That is all right Mr.. Kinsella; have no
anxiety TO learn the names OF tho bidders, as they
have already been printed in the HERALD but there
| one point upon which | would like have some in
| formation. Why the steel manufacturers ex-
cudcd from bidding in the specifications for the letting
! OF December