Omaha daily bee., 1888-07-12
THE UNION PACIFIC BRIDGE.
And Why the Piers That Sank the
General Terry Remain,

The chamber of commerce of Bismarck
Oak, recently appointed committee to in
vestigate the alleged distractions to naviga-
tion by the piers of the old Union Pacific
bridge, and instructed them to present the
matter to the proper authorities and cause
prompt action to be taken. This action on
the part of Bsmarck's chamber of com
mercc was doubtless prompted by the recent
disaster which befell the steamer General
Terry.
AS yet nothing has been heard in this city
regarding any measures on the part of the
committee mentioned and it will probably
require a thorough investigation on their
part to find out who is responsible for the
pier still standing. The new Union Pacific
bridge was completed under the supervision
the senior member OF the firm of
Morrison & Corthall, engineers. At
Union Pacific headquarters it is stated that
Morrison had entire control of the work aud
was sent here to superintend the work by the
government, the president appointing HIM.
The Union Pacific footed all the bills. AT
the conclusion of the work last fall Morrison
caused one of the piers to be removed but
left its twin standing. The one removed
was taken down to point below low water
mark. What Morrison's object was in lcav-
ing the old pier stand is not definitely
known, but the assertion is made that he
thought the ice would carry it out and the
expense of taking 1t down would thus be
avoided.
AS Morrison was an ex-officio government
official the management of the Union Pacific
have not deemed it to their interest to take
any measures concerning the pier, but on the
contrary, are inclined to assume that the
task properly belonged to him.
While the company assumed the damage
caused by the wreck of the General Terry,
and allowed the claims for loss of property
belonging to the passengers on the steamer,
the matter of settling for the damage done
the boat is still pending. The boat is still
lying where she sank, moored to the bank,
and is rapidly going to pieces. The Union
Pacific provide watchmnn. The machinery
could be saved even now were proper steps
taken, but should the railroad company make
any attempt to reclaim any of it, it would be
considered as an admission that they were to
blame for the disaster, and in consequence
the steamer will, unless measures are taken
soon by the owners, go to pieces.
The Bismarck committee will probably
visit Omaha before making. investigations
elsewhere. They will visit the en-
gineers' department of the Union
will not be forthcoming because
forsooth they know comparatively nothing
of the matter. No plans will be found, and
nothing relating to contracts for the new
bridge. They will be requested to see Mr..
Morrison at Chicago. BY going down stairs
into the general managers office they will
learn that the Union Pacific footed the bills
for the work, but that Morrison had entire and
absolute control. Then they will see Morr-
son and he will doubtless explain why he
took down one pier and left the other stand
ing.
In connection with this matter it may not
be out Of order to state that the affidavit of
the captain Of the sunken steamer made for
the information of the government board of
survey, is at Union Pacific headquarters
the board having referred it there