The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-11
THE BRIDGE RUMORs.
Taking Flight Before the Inquiry Into ths
Conduct of the Fin iIneers.

The Investigating committee Of tho tru3-
toes Of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge ap-
pointed to inquire into tho charges OF alleged
bribery OF tho engineer corps have ceased their
inquiry on that topic. ms the proof offered was
wholly insufficient to support the charge The
committee met yesterday morning in thebridge
trustees Office. TO discuss the specifications for
steel for the supersiructure OF the bridge. Mr.
A. =. Hin. an engineer. who has been rrtnincd
by Comptroller Stonmotz in the controversy
over tho scientific points in Issue. appeared be-
fore the Committee with Col Payne ot the en-
gineer corps. and the two discussed the specin-
cations from different scientific stundpoinls
Col Payne said that he had no regard Tor the
interests OF the contractors In framing the
specifications, but sought 10 adopt such require
meqts MS would best prove Tor the interest Of tho
bridge. He clnimed that there was no invidious
distinction IN IN" specihcatinns. except rs
against the lowest grades OF Besscmer steel
There were certain essential qualities which
they must have In the steel and II tho best pro-
ccsses 81 Bessemer steel or cruciblr steel either
met with those requircments. thcre was nothing
Tor me engineers 10 do but 10 take that which
best confOrmed To tn specifications.
There are bids nov before the trustees which
should have been opened at tho last meeting 20
strnction of the bridge, but owing 20 tho impu-
tauons east upon the integrity Of the, engineer
ton Of that topic before giving out tho contract
even although the delay cost the two cities at the
One OF the members " the Committee said yos-
terday that the charges were base Gloss ana some
OF them foolish The affidavit OF ono Thomas
Carroll represented that 90 per cent OF the wire
OF the susponder ropes had broken in
being hammered down nj the end over tho iron
socket Tnis SO med 10 bo ut first sight cauiy-
nlent To- n reduction Of twenty pcr cent. in tho
strength OF the suSpendrr ropes. hut little in
quiry showed that the wires which broke in
being hammered wero OF greater tensile
strength than those OF n lower grade Of steel
which bent over: that the ends which projected
beyond the sockets were hammered down only
70 max a clean Job. aud that the ropes were
held in the sockets by having iron wedges
driven into the heart Of the wire strand 80 ne
10 T. ug the wire tightly in the socket. Then
molten lead was poured into the socket TO COM
pletciy NIL all intrrstices Col payno submit
ted socket and rope to "A severe strain in a
testing machine and when he had subjected il
% strain OF $4,000 pounds the rope broke.
But II had not started In tho socket Tho great
cot strain that will be put upon the suspendcr
ropes. when the bridge ~ loaded to It's maxi
mum, Is about 10000 pounds
1t WAS furthermore charged that these
wrought-iron sockets. in which the ends of tho
wire rope were set. would expand in the heat
81 the sun. and might reeuse the wire ropes.
The engineers proved that tina rope ends would
expand too, and that although steel would not
expand as much ns wrought IRON. yet the difttr-
encp II not Rpprccane in practice.
The Committee will meet on Monday 20 cloae
Us lhnors. and will have Il report ready for tho
Board later in the week.
Dr. samuel Hall. one OF tho Committee said
yesterday; The Investigation has served to
strengthen my confidence not only in tho in
tesrlty but IN the ability OF our engineer CORPS"