Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-09-02
Which IS BEST?
Spsad $4,000 in Putting Up and Repairing
Cresk Bridges, or
GIVE THE STREAM 4 NEW OUTLET.
A PROBLEM FOR COUNCIL TO SOLVE,

! A PROBLEM FOR COUNCIL TO SOLVE.
II has been long tine since any con-
templated public improvement has ex-
cited the attention or provoked the discus
sion now being devoted to the new bridge,
to be erected by the city over the creek,
on the line Of Main street, replacing the
stone structure, carried away by the last
flood.
Thoughtful citizens are everywhere
manifestipg q deep concern in the re-es-
adjustment of the connecting link be-
tween the two halves Of the city, and from
gathering up and comparison of the
views expressed, it may be stated that the
public is not entirely satisfied with the
manner in which Council has taken hold
of the work.
The trouble with Council is, there is an
entire lack of any disposition to deal with
matters Of public Improvement in the
proper way. No one seems disposed to
devote the necessary time to thorough,
careful and broad examination of the more
serious matters coming TO the attention OF
the body. Scrutiny, discussion and ex-
animation is too often confined to small
surface, or conducted without proper mo-
tive, or between narrow limits, and one
consequence is, that Wheeling, with as
large q revenue as that provided for the
msintence of the State government, is be-
hind every other city in the land Of equal
size in all that goes to make life pleasant
and sndurable, with the single exception OF
street paving.
Another great failing of the present powers
that be, is disposition to delay action up
on occasions where prompt action is needed.
n is chronic case Of put everything on
till day after tomorrow. IL Is now two
weeks since the Main street bridge WAS
carried away, and yet no progress has been
made, ii there be sn exception Of the
action taken st the last session OF Council,
which was far from being real progress
| At tine present rate, there will be no bridge
| Of a permanent nature across the creek
this fall. Why not take hold of the ques-
ton seriously and energetically, erect a
Temporary bridge across the creek,
on the same general plan as the one
out up by the B. & o. road, sufficient for
foot walk and O track for the motor line,
aud than find out Just what We want in the
way of a permanent bridge. Then Coun-
Gil can 90 sbout its erection leisurely, II 1t
must be done that way, with the knowl-
edge that the travelling public Is not sbso'
Iutely cut off.
There is much to be taken into consid-
Grafton in connection with the bridging OF
the creek, beyond the simple and single
idea of repairing the break made by the
water with new structure, and Council
men ought to thoroughly study the situa-
sion, and take nto'considerstion all the sur
roundipgs, and thereby be enabled
to act with that degree
Of intelligence demanded by the
public interests and needs. A special
committee OF Council could very pro6tably
hold short series Of joint meetings with
the Board Of Public Works regarding this
matter, arrange to secure data from q
bridge engineer of prominence, who has no
private axe to grind, study over the aitus-
ton, and make q report to Council, afford
= basis for intelligent action. We would
then know something definite about the
cost of a bridge, whether it ought to have
one arch or span, or two; whether it ought
TO have o twenty-six foot driveway, or one
of lorty-fo feet; whether ii ought to be
Of iron, or steel, or stcne; or whether
there ought TO be any bridge there at all.
This last remark may seem little pc
culiar, at first glance, but it isn't. That
very thing needs serious consideration. For
instance: Every dog and cat In Wheeling
realizes the nuisance of tho B. x U. rail-
road tracks along SixteeRth and Seven
tenth streets, and known how very de-
-irable it would be to have them removed;
the B. & o. Company would like very
much to have new right of way through
the town for its Pittsburg division, but
here is little prospect of It's getting one
that would be satisfactory, except at the
expenditure of 3 very large amount of
money. The South Pennsylvania & Ohio
Company also desires q route along the
creek bank. The creek has been a source
of expense and danger 20 the eity-expense
through having to provide bridges and keep
them there, and danger to life, from houses
slipping from their foundations, and TO
health, from the abominable smells which
are waited over the town; and it has also
been q great source Of expense and danger
to the B. & o. Railroad Company, which
has had to suffer much annoyance and
spend good deal of money lately on o
wretched and expensive piece Of road, and
on top of which il must shortly spend q
good deal more for something in the way
of a permanent bridge west of Main street.
Il may also at any time be called upon to
replace its entire passenger depot, which is
/ resting upon pier which inclines
at a considerable angle. The bed Of
the creek would be Of great value
10 the city and the B. & o. Company, if
the creek wasn't there. Query for Coun-
ell Committee: Might not the city and
the B. & o. Company, with Others inter
ested, enter into an arrangement to abolish
the creek, so far as its present course
through the city is concerned? The $50,
600 or SIS. 900 that q new bridge ~ Main
street would cost, the msney that it will
cost to rebuild the Seventeenth street
bridge, which is liable to fall down, and
to the condition Of which the Board OF
Public Works has called attention, and
the cash which the B. 4 D. Company will
have to spend, not only for new bridges
across the creek, but in obtaining
some new and very likely unsatisfactory
route, would 90 very far towards bringing
about q consummation most deycutly to be
wished-the changing of the course of the
creek through the hill, either into iona
than's rsvine, by 3 tunnel, as was sug-