New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-26
the structure free for pedestriansi


lie replied:
"1be Bridge is undoubtedly greet success Ii
has entirely fulfilled the expectations of the trus-
tees and the predictions of Colonel Roeblng and
his associate engineers But it would hardly be
fair to take to-day or two or three weeks 10 come
as far lica ion Of what the travel VIII be oIni-
narilv. A very large number of people Will cross
the Bridge from motives of curiosity. and many
strangers will come here and cross IT. IL l.
and will be one Of the sights Oh the
metropolis. The ferry boats will continue 10
run and carry large numbers of passengers not"I'n
standing the Bridge. When the Legislature meets
in January next we will know just what the uaVei
over the Bridge is likely to be, and the necessary
legislation can be had. Until that time 1t wouid Do
uubu,ues,-lke to take any action.
The approach to the Bridge on this side IS very
contracted and during the day there has been more
or Ices Of blockade of loaded trucks aud carriages
and cars. The removal of the City Hall station oil
the Thir6-aye elevated railroad further up Chat-
ba,p-st will help this somewhat. But some OF our
corresnondcnts have suggested whether 1t wOuid
not be advisable for the city to acquire the real es
tate for some distance either side OF the bridge
more especially Frencis Hotel and the buildings
fronting on Chatham-st. between the Bridge ana
Frankfort-st. This, they say, would leave large
Omen plaza afiOrding Il proper means OF approach
and AT fine same time a view of the Bridge from n
larger area should the travel over the Bridge con-
tInue as 1t is now and even increase, as Is very
probable il would, of course, be necessary TO take
measures to relieve the pressure at TINS ehd OF inc
Bridge, even if a considerable additional expense
had to be incurred to accomplish tins But rs
said before, time is needed to demonstrate the ex-
tent of the traffic and travel which the Bridge Will
be called on TO bear"
al Inc ODinOO of the
ACCESSIBILITY of making the Bridge free for pedes-
TRANS He said "The Bridge trus-
tees were unanimously of the opinion that
the Bridge shonld be free to pedestrians. but
the question was raised whether they had the legal
power to make it free to foot passengers or any Other
traffic. We were given the power TO regulate tne
rates of fare The Corporation Counsel III each city
was asked for his opinion, and they decided thaC
we had not the power TO make IT Tree LOT pedes-
TRANS should the traffic warrant II, am III favor
of legislation which will make the Bridge free f0r
pedestrians. think. however. that It should urst
produce "a sufficient revenue to meet the interest on
the bonds issued for It's construction"
"Shoud not additional ground be acquired by
the city on either side of the New York approach to
prevent the blockade which mas already laStcu theTe
for several hOuTsT
There will have TO be a road way leading to Chain-
hers-st or else across the CITY Hall Park In order
that Broadway may be directly communicated
with. Anything III reason that will tend to facll-
tate travel both for passengers ana teams across
the trustees of the Bridge will be able To reach
pretty fair understanding of what will need to be
done in the near future"
FEELING AND COMMENT IN BROOKLYN.
The use OF the Bridge by residents of Brooklyn
Yesterday produced marked effect upon street-car
travel below Sands-st. The car conductors
agreed that fully one-third of their
passengers went to the Bridge instead
of the Fulton and Catharne ferries. An
inadequate force of policemen was stationed on the
Bridge and boys climbed over from the foo'way TO
the Ioadways As the badges for the Bridge police
are not vet made the men wore The Brooklyn police
badge. supply having been borrowed. An
idea ofthe large number of persons ont Sightseeing
in Brooklyn on thursday is shown blythe statement
of the Brooklyn City Railroad Company's officers
that its lines carried 100000 passengers This vas
probably about half of the actual number OF people
transported by all the car and stage lines.
Mayor Low sad that lie was proud of Brooklyn
for The manner in which her people responded to
the requests of the authorities to keep holiday and
10 decorate and illuminate, and for the orderly con-
duct Of the vast thrOngs in the stree"
He also said that President Arthur
and Governor Cleveland were well pleased with the
roccntIon given ~ them in the AcademY MI Low
sent a letter II Police Commissioner Jouidan con-
graduating HIM upo1 the admirable ponce az dge-
mcnts on 1hnreday, and thanking the police Tor the
courteous. efficient auI cn'cfull service rendered
by Them in transmitting the Mayors letter 10
the police force General Jourdan thanked the
officers and men for their faithful performance OF
duty.
Superintendent Martin was very busy looking
after the details OF the management. ne ilde
of travel" he -aid. has had no pcrceptl1c elect
on the Bridge today. ! have han trained men
taking observations and am well satisfied with the
result We did not intend to place any rcstrc non
on he rate of travel across the Bridge, bu IS there
is q tendency to abuse the privilege thuS
accorded we may have TO make rules on the subject.
Persons coming across the Bridge TODAY have ran
their horses IN 4 manner that would not be per
mittrd any public HIGHWAY, much less on a
bridge. OF course We will not allow that.
Could any vibration be detected IA the biltg'
Not the slightest. The greatest possible strain
on the Bridge occurred on Thursday when one end
of the structure loaded down by the procession
while the other end was deserted. An uneven dis
tnbution Of pressure like hat il what viii unilv-
Orably affect a bridge. The ciiect was just what
We anticipated. The iron saddles on top OF the
towers, on winch the cables resi- moved slightly
and went back in position when the strain was re-
moved. showing that all working wei"
10 day is the birthday of Colonel Washington 4.
ROeb.iug chief engineer Of the Bridge. lie was
born in Saxonburg Butler County. Penn, ia N37.
lie was graduated al the Polytechnic Institute,
Troy, III 1897, aud received his appointment rs
chef engineer Of the Bridge to fiji The vacancy
caused by lie death oi his father John A. B9cbllmg,
III August, lSO9.
TIE EFFECT on THE FERRIES.
The computation Of the effect upon The business