Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1888-07-28
TRUST IN SCIENCE.
LAW AND AUTHORITY NECES-
SARY TO ORDER.
Mr.. Socialist and Mr.. Anarchist ON
the Brooklyn Bridge-Mr. AS
Confidence in Authority.
Individualism Death
to the Peaceful.


There is fine view of the city from
this bridge.
Mr.. S.-Nery fine, indeed; and
also a most excellent spot to get a
Whit of fresh air these hot days.
Mr.. A.-les, indeed; | ofttimes
bring my wife and children along
with me for that very purpose.
Mr.. S.-You do not seem to be
the only one who appreciates these
advantages of scenery and fresh air;
and it does not seem that they are
at all affected by the fragile struc-
ture of the bridge; that is, they
seem to think nothing of the conse-
quences should something important
give iway.
Mr.. 1.-This Is true; but | sup
pose it is custom, or the habit of see
ing it crossed in safety every day
that breeds this Indifference. As for
myself, | have made mental calcula-
tlons, or rather guesses, rs to the
probable weight of iron, steel, etc.
IN the superstructure alone, and all
being borne by four cables that seem
hardly too strong to hold up their
own weight for so long a distance.
And then there are the cars and pos
sible crowds of people to be allowed
for besides; and then to look at the
towers, why, it seems as if a good
hard push at their summit would
tumble them over | tell you, when
take in the details one by one in
that manner, it sometimes makes
my flesh creep when I think of the
consequences that would follow a
miscalculation or neglect on the
part Of the engineers who designed
and superintended its construction.
Mr.. S.-Then | am to understand
by what you have just said that in 50
far as your knowledge of the
strength Of material is concerned,
and your observations as to the rela-
tive magnitude Of parts, that if you
were left entirel y to your own judg-
ment, and had never known of any
test having been made Of this bridge,
you wonld be afraid to risk your life
upon it, and especially those of your
family.
Mr.. A.-That is just it.
Mr.. S.-But why do you have so
much confidence in its strength at
present, that you even risk the lives
of your entire family upon it?
Mr.. A.-Well, | suppose it is be
cause | have known it to be used so
long and by so many.
Mr. S.-But you must admit that
this conld not be an entirely salts
factory reason to a man like you, as
you have just informed me that you
had been taking in, so to speak, the
possibilities of it's failure to stand
the strain. You are an observing
man, which, am sorry to say, the
majority of persons are not. | be-
lieve that man like you has some
stronger reasons for confidence in
the safety of this structure than in
the mere fact Of It's having been
used; for instance, would not you
have been glad of the privilege to
have been one Of the party who first
crossed the bridge.
Mr.. An the first place | must
acknowledge that have confidence
in the strength Of this bridge other
than the mere fact of its being used,
for any structure may be used for a
long time just up to the breaking
point and then suddenly give way.
And while | am totally opposed to
privileged parties, yet at the same
time, had | been a workman on this
bridge the first day it was opened,
and it became part of my duty to
60 over with the first party, should
most certainly have had no fear of
the consequences, simply because |
had confidence in the knowledge and