New-York tribune., 1881-12-12
GENERAL SrEINMEIz on THE BRIDGE.

At meeting in the hall of the "Spread-
the-Iight Club No. 365 Fuon-st, BROOKLYN last even
ing oler william G. steinmetz OF Brooklyn, the
we-known architect and engineer, who served
two years as bridge trustee, discussed
the need of reform in the Brooklyn city
government, and especially in the management OF the
bridge. In regard the change from iron TO steel for
the bridge superstructure he said that examination
of the specifications satisfied him that they were not
drawn in such rs TO define either the duties oil
tde contractors the obligations OF the trustees Al
that time raised the point that, while 1t was alleged
that the substitution of steel for iron would result In
saving about 400 tons Of material the specification
plainly showed that under them more steel instead
of less steel than iron would be called Tor.
The engineers denied this strenuously and General
Steinmetz was Outvoted by the Board
'The en- gneer now in December, 1891" he continued,
two and half years LATER has to admit that his basis
for the calculation of weights has proven falaciols
Another objection raised to the award Of the contract
then was the utter lack OF drawings details etc, for
what 10 be required of the contractors was as
by the president, well the engineers that al
the drawings required would be ready before the con
tractor could be ready TO furnish any steel Inc en-
g1neer tells that it is only week since the last
drawing requisite furnished The disastrous result OF
awarding large contract under such circumstances
became very soon apparent The contract doctored
by special resolutions to remedy its original defect
That the Edgemoor Iron Company would not comply
with the terms of its contract became soon evident ana
finally on October H. 1880 felt compelled TO put my
self on record in letter which laid before the trustees
protesting against the contract with the EdgcmOOr Com
pany, and predicting that the quantity OF steel called
for would fall short the necessary just as the
event shows also said that the interest the bridge
bonds caused by the delay IN the fulfilling OF the contract
would than the cost OF the supcrsfctue
"As the law stands now the people have no redress
against either the uniaulnoss or the ncapacity of the
trustees OF the bridge In view therefore OF hc Iact '
the Board has already announced its intention to pc
titon the coming Legislature for further approprla
tiOu IL will be well the people to insist primarily
upon a change in the existing law under which the
Board has this irresponsible power OF eXpending the
peoples money. without being accountable u any Dody
for the alleged disbursements. Moreover, the lFSbH
ture should insist that the Board before getting any
more money, should submit complete set Of inal plans
for examination, as their completeness without ci
cism to their nature, 10 q committee con isthE
OF competent engineers and contractors and all
disbursements should be made by the Controllers
OF the two cities upon approved vouchers OF Tue Cohs
sOners OF Public Works. am most anxious 10 see the
bridge finished quickly possible, and am III iaVor OF
appropriation sufficiently large 10 finish the work be-
the proDabe final cost of this bridge cspcc
ally since the fluctuations IN these IN direct
ratio to the fluctuations In the different schemes whlc
being hatched ont in secret cOncaves ana Dy Wlch
the engineer constantly compelled to provide for un-
foreseen alterations In 1850 the people ana the Legs
lature soleinny assured that tn Board cOd
get a further appropriation OF S22JO,OOO thls
would be final, and the bridge would be completed by
July 4, 1851. In 1881 1t turned out that another
toches aud taat bridge would surely be open for
traffic the 4th of July, 1852. Aud IL turns out
that about -. 400 Is still wanted"
special meeting Of the Bridge Trustees Will be held
ROebng relative the need Of the additional l2OO
steel for the the supestrucure aud his estimate
the structure and the cost Copies OF the engineers
statement have been sent to each trustee