New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-01
TIE BRfOGES DEFECTS.

The managers, trustees and engineers OF tho
Bridge declare that the terrible accident Of
Wednesday was in no sense due to errors Of
construction. 1t was merely panic. they say,
and panic is likely to occur at any place where
largo crowd II gathered. But what started
the panic on. tho Bridge, and what caused tho
loss of life after It was startedf One and the
same thing-a steep and unguarded stairway.
If the stairway had not been there, there would
have been no delay IL there had been no delay,
there would have been no panic. Furthermore,
If a panic had started from any other cause, and
the stairway had not boon there, the chances for
loss of life would have been small. 1t Is idle
to Ay that construction which leads to such
accidents is not faulty. The accident with Its
appalling list Of dead and injured 10 incon-
tiovertible evidence that grave mistake WAS
committed. The management may claim In
extenustion that they could not foresee such
an event as that Of Wednesday, but they will
be criminally negligent If thoy refuse to profit
by sad experience and remedy the blunder
without delay.
There should be no such halfway remedies
adopted Is putting railing down the centre Of
tho stairways broadening the steps, and
making the descent less steep. That will DO
modifying the evil instead of abolishing it. Tho
thing to do is to get rid Of the steps altogether
NOT only at this point but at all other points
On the Bridge. There are six separate stairways
now on the Bridge and its,. approaches, and 1t
must be apparent to everybod now that the
putting Of them there was mistake. The
engineers say it was their unanimous opinion
that tho steps were preferable to the steep
grades which would have been necessary with
out them. This explanation 10 no longer avail
able. The roadway has been constructed with
out steps, and tho fact that the footpath is
eight feet higher through portion of its dis
lance is not q sufficient excuse for the way in
which 1t has been laid out. Surely tho engi-
neering skill which has conquered the width Of
the river IL not going to succumb before 80 in
significant problem as tho construction Of q
fuotpath which shall not only be free from
stairwsys but from all other perils. It 10 not
best methods for solving this problem, but We
say to them that the public expects them to
furnish tho solution without unnecessary delay.
When tho footway has been cleared from
steps, 1t should be divided In the centre
throughout its entire distance by q strong rail-
ing. This will keep the opposing currents
apart and will prevent lettering. 1t may DO
found necessary, after these changes have been
made, to enlarge the area allotted to pedestrians
by using tho space over tho railway tracks.
Colonel Roebling says tho objection to doing
this IL that 1t would increase the weight Of tho
Bridge, and bis opinion 10 entitled to great con-
sideraton. Another objection Is that it would
AFFORD more room for idlers and increase tho
crowd upon the Bridge on holidays and public
occasic g. 1t must be continually borne In
mind that the main object of the Bridge IL to
furnish thorouRhfare between tho two cities,
and not lounRing place for ell who wish to 60
there. It 10 our opinion that the present path
way, cleared Of steps and guarded BY . suff-
Client police foroe 10 keep pedestrians In motion,
Will DO found adequate for all demands. II
on extraordinary occadons 1t should DO found
inadequate, relief could be obtained BY turning
pedestrians into the roadways, ~ soon ~
danger from overcrowding threatened, or by
refusing to admit moro than certain number
IN hour.
The time to begin 70 make precautionsis
now. II may bs that tho future will show 90
such crowds on tho Bridge - tho past hss
shown, but the management have no right to
proceed on that sapposition. Thar duty 10 to
pFpvids asaiut 81 posalbls emergencies. and
~ Nnfe, tAelf Wovisians On ~ eyound that Q
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