The New York herald., 1879-12-02
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
Impossible TO Procure a Quorum Of
the Trustees.
GRUMBLING CONTRACTORS.
An Exposition Of the ManipuIations Of
the Builders.

An Exposition Of the Manipuations Of
the Builders.
There was to have been meeting of the trustees
of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge yesterday af
ternoon, but 1t was found impossible to procure
quorum, and SO. after waiting for some time. Presi
dent Murphy announced that there would be no
meeting. lively time was expected, ashome OF the
contractors unwilling to continue the work III
the absence of appropriation. 1t was suggested
that this recacitrant disposition is the real reason
why no meeting took place the trustees being dis
posed to keep the matter from taking the form of
open rebellion. This is always the way with
them. said one of the contractors to HERALD re-
porter while waiting to SEQ If there was to be
meeting. land they not more open with the pub
lic than they are with us. The people OF New York
and Brooklyn have little idea what costly
whistle they getting in the East River
Bridge Tho astute inanipulators OF this
enterprise carefully suppress all criticism
and controversy this subject. They are very
meek and self-poised-they never answer back, how
ever vigorously they may bc attacked. Some OF the
new trustees lately appointed by Mayor Cooper. be-
fore they got used to the Of these bridge people,
very anxious to learn something in regard to the
management
too anxious suit the boss managers and they
soon authoritatively hushed up. At the Last two
three meetings OF the trustees some Of these
comors ventured some inquiries and suggestions
One thought 1t right that the contractors to whom
had been given about 81 600 900 of contracts should
be informed that the bridge money has about
given out they must take the risk Of getting
their pay. 10 this the response was that
there were reasons. prudential and polite.
why it was not best just now to say much
about the liabilities Of the two cities
on the old contracts unexecuted. When it was sug-
Gested that it might be well not to spend any more
money than they really had lest there should be DIM
that fixed President Murphy considered the sit
uation serene and did not want any agitation Of that
subject thon, and Mr. Stranahan couldn't see any use
of stirring up that matter at that time. There the
matter ended, and firmly believe there is no quo
part Of the sontractors The trustees want to keep
us as ignorant as the New York and Brooklyn public
At work whom they know there is no certainty that
we shall be paid.
the reporter to make further inquiries into the sub
ject. The following incident was related by gen.
tleman who was present on the occasion; AT the
November meeting Of the trustees proposition was
made by the president to pay the contractors the
bridge part of the usual percentages OF the con-
ment Of their contrscts but some Of the new trus-
ventured to suggest that it was too lavish use
Of money ia the present state OF the bridge hnances
ter, not moro than $40 0OO. Vice President Kings
ley said that "they must not be too technical in this
matter of mutual concession" And SO the new and
impertinent members were suppressed the con-
proper execution Of their contracts and the treasury
was relieved Of the security money
ACCESSORY no A SPECULATION.
1.-The upshot Of this bridge enterprise" said the
reporters informant. Gin the view and purpose Of
its managing cabal is an accessory to huge specu
lation in South Brooklyn dock property. Twenty
men get all the possible advantages Of this bridge.
It shown in the legislative investigation Of last
Cities and besides this that they would have to pay
for the single beneft OF these South Brooklyn dock
sridDe. that it would entail on these cities for ali
come the expenditure OF $lO000O0 yearly for
interest,snd would destroy the value and use Of
q most important consideration Mr. j. A. Roeb-
ling. the first engineer-n-chief Of this bridge,
river-a river height which lie declared necessary
to the wants OF navigation. But these
provide for than the navigation Of this port and SO
reduced the bridge to the maximum height OF 135
feet. which efectually shuts out from its best and
immcmorisl dock accommodation ope-half of the
valuable shipping of the East River. The
worthlessness of all statements by the managers of
the bridge what is be it's anal cost and when
this enormous job is to be completed" the gentle
man continued, "can be seen in the concealments
and of their estimates from its very
beginning. The original estimate of the cost Of the
bridge by Mr. Roebling was 50 600. and it was to
be able TO transport each way 10000 people by cars
daily with unlimited capacity for freight and
foot passengers besides. Upon the basis OF
this estimate the bridge company was formed.
the year 1866 00O and in 1857 to $1,000 00O
His son. Colonel W. A. Roebling. who at has death
cost in 1872 at This he increased in 1875
to O65 g. specifying the cost OF every item
IN the construction OF the bridge ana nguring It
estimate that the Legislature appropriated
(which the engineer and bridge officers declared. as
experts. was all that was necessarily to complies tho
bridge, with all it's debts and liabilities paid and
open for public travel. Five millions had ut that
time been noninally spent in the foundations and
towers Alone At the meeting OF the trustees held
October last they estimated that the bridge could
s. in .
next Legislature. The public has in this
these enormous expenditures. from $3.000000
with the height or the bridge Vt 200 feet. to
pleted, with .ts height reduced to 1876 feet which
should reduce its cost at least thirty per cent.
tinaed THAT T. this increase of cspesdture has not
been made Necessary ny any change OF oircum; m,
been in it's favor. The price of labor and material
has fallen from forty to sixty per cent since the
estimate in 1876. No changes in the plan Of the
bridge havc been made increasing its cost that could
not and should not have been anticipated and in
cluded in the hrst estimates There is not an item
in tho principal expense of the bridge whose
gwen on the prices then current as they
can DC M, now for what remains TO O. DC dole
and authority of engineers of the highest standing
actually WAS done in these several estimates. and
1t is also we'll known that large items OF cxpend-
lures. absolutely necessary to the working OF the
bridge the plan designed, are still withheld from
tie public by the trustees in tho items OF the est-
mated cost OF the bridge from time to time given
They have already made three different regulations
for land for the New York approach alone in add-
on to the amount designated In the original map.
twas shown and not denied in the Legislative inves
gation OF last year that IL this bridge Is ever used 1t
will require from two to three million dollars worth