Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-10-31


believe no defense is needed for the
work on the new bridge, but | wish to say a
word respecting the assaults which have
been made upon the city government. the
engineer and contractor respe citing the build
ing of the piers.
1t is not enough for certain persons to loaf
around the work, keep in the way and growl,
but they must cause to be spread upon pa
per, assertions and insinuations calculated to
harm those concerned in the work, and de-
celve the public.
How many people here ever saw a work of
this kind in progress before? Yet few
discuss and criticise the matter as though
they were old stsgers. This may be well,
but int lligent beings, really in pursuit of
knowledge, generally prefer to listen to the
discussions of masters of the subject, rather
than the vapid mutterings of those who are
ignorant of the simplest principles underly-
log the matter they mutter about.
Every assertion Of Dir. Wilder's was made
as he himself says, upon hearsay. He in
addition confesses himself as no authority
as to what should be done and was also igno-
rant as to what really was being done.
In the absence of Prof. Vose, Mr.. Good
win. a graduate of Bowdon College, a
skilIfui engineer and experienced enough to
be the city engineer of Portland, was called
TO inspect the work, especially that which
the Doctor exclaimed most loudly against.
He pronounced it all right after a careful
inspe ction and said the foundation was as it
should be.
Mr.. Stevenson. who was selected BY Prof.
Vose, said it was correct, and it was sup
posed that would settle the fault finding of
the dissatisfied ones. And for time it did.
~ l. A. L.. -..l
another mouthpiece. Mr.. Nathaniel Noyes
now says "the water should have been
pumped out" This is not so. Concrete
put in under water will settle together better
than ont of it and Portland cement will solid
ify there.
Over thr, 9 nndred barrels of that cement
have been put into the east pier and anvon,
who cares TO figure and can. will see that the
proportion Of cement to rock is far more than
To l--nearsr 10
Nov Prot Nose has been here lately and
inspected the work. He says it is good
Mr.. Goodwin also inspected it, He says
it is gooi
Mr. Stevenson hs. also inspected. it He
says it is good
These geutiemec are engineers who kaow
of What :hey are talking. They are Of suf-
ticieat Integrity to hold high positions among
their fellow men, aud their opinions in the
scientific world are treated with respect and
as authority.
Who are DR. Wilder and Nathaniel Moves
thai tbs y deny the weight of those opinions?
DO the people of Augusta feel that with
such engineers their bridge is safe. or do
they feel that the city council should have
passed by the learning. experience and recog-
nzed standing of Messrs. Vose. Goodwin and
| Stevenson and placed in charge of this most
| important work Amos NJ. Wilder and
/ Nathaniel Noyes?
/ So far MS Mr.. Noyes' bet is concerned, he
/ is very foxy. He puts in conditions that he
/ knows will not exist. The crib work
is there. like the lower part, like
! like the concrete. to stay. The intention
/ has never been to take it out. The concrete
will need no support, but if additional
security is deemed of value by Mr. Noyes.
/ he has it in the crib work, which placed be-
/ low low water. will last as long As rock.
/ But think the opinions of competent en-
gineers of at least as much value as Mr.
/ Moves offer to break the laws of Marie.
! Mr.. Moves says he doesn't know what the
I contract calls for Why not? The specif-
cations in which he seems to be interested
were printed III the journal, and be can see
B all of them ut the Mayors office.
/ 1t seems as though Mr.. Moves should ill.,
I form himself before he starts out to write
( dissertations 90 bridge work
The work on the piers is going on. 1t is
good and strong. 1t will stay, and the very
men who now condemn il will yet be heard
to say, 1T is good job and a credit to the
city
In the past few years Augusta has perked
up a good deal, but all remember the
kickers against the public building, against
the paving. against the Sta;e House extension
AMI the Hospital Every age and improve
ment has them. but to the credit of mankind
be it said they do not constitute majorit,
of the people. F. E. s.