The Evening critic., 1882-03-08
HARBoR AND BRIDGE.


Iation 10 the Improvement OF Our
Harbor-AIso. in Relation TO the
Free Bridge - The bridge TO Cost
100000 - An Additional Appro-
priation Recommended.
Gen. II. G.. Wright, chief OF Engineers, U. 8.
A.. has submitted to the Secretary Of War the
report OF Mr.. 8. t. Albert United States Civil
Engineer, of the results OF survey made
under his direction, TO comply with tho re-
quirements OF the river and harbor act OF
March 8, 1881, OF the Potomac River, In the
vicinity Of Washington, with refer to the
improvement OF navigation, the establish.
ment OF harbor lines, and tho raising of the
fats. In his letter accompanying the report,
Gen. Wright says: "By your authority,
I'm view of the interest felt In
this improvement, this report of Mr.. Albert
was referred to a Board Of Engineer officers
with instructions to give the whole subject
careful consideration copy Of the boards
preliminary report thereon, with accompany
ing papers, is also submitted herewith and
commended for favorable consideration"
The Potomac Free bridge.
Gen. Wright has also made the following re-
port to the Secretary OF War on the Potomac
free bridge.
"a, 1881 ton letter OF July %, 1881, from
the Engineer Commissioner District
of .columhia), directing the Chief
and advertise for the construction OF bridge
across the Potomac River near Georgetown, ID.
O., have now the honor TO submit the in.
closed abstracts OF bids received In response to
advertisement. 1t will be seen that the lowest
bid, $140,000, is submitted by the 'Corru-
gated Metal Company that this bid is for
the exact amount OF the appropriation male
for the bridge by act of February 23, 1881.
This proposition is for n bridge which is not
deemed sufficient in strength. Several letters
have been received from the agents OF the Cor
rugated Metal Company, in which modifica-
tions of their plans arc proposed, but the offer
as first submitted or as modified by them Is
not such as can recommend for acceptance.
sin order to- secure satisfactory work In
building n bridge by contract, provision must
be made for inspection as the work progresses
In the construction of foundations, piers and
abutments in manufacture and tests OF iron
TO be used in the bridge and In the erection
of the superstructure. Without this there is
no certainty of getting safe and substantial
bridge. Funds must therefore be provided to
cover such necessary expenses before any
contract can properly be made.
"a general detailed estimate for substantial
and durable bridge at the Three Sisters, based
on the best data so far attainable, including
the cost of proper approaches TO the bridge
the work, shows that the bridge can be built
for S201 900. Only $140,O00 is available. 1
have, therefore, to recommends
"First-That all bids received be declined.
'Second-That report be made to Congress
that an additional appropriation of S61, 700
Will be required and that provision should be
made for contingencies and advertising by
amending the act OF February 13, 1881, so as
previous TO the award Of the contract.
'"The above estimate is for 'dock bridge,
but a through bridge is considered prefer
able, and II adopted the estimated cost will be
$4,000 more, making the total cost 1920, 900.
The Investigations in regard to the sufilciency
OF the bridge were committed to Mr.. s. L.
Albert, United States civil engineer, copy of
his report, with other papers connected with
the subject, Is herewith submitted"