Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-08-14

aud other citizens of the fact or why
it should be so.
This morning Mr.. Grondahl wa,
net at the hotel by Mayor William,
md Mr.. r. S. Wallace, but Mr.. G
vas very reticent and look of dis
pleasure was plainly visible. He
vas informed that feeling of unrest
md insecurity prevailed; that the
Jeople were not satisfied that the
structure was going to be of u lasting
character; that they had paid dear
y for experiments In this line and
lid not want any more if it was pos.
'ible to avoid them; that they want
cd good bridge and were willing
10 pay few thousand dollars extra,
If necessary to secure this. Mayor
Williams said that if an expendi-
Gure Of $4,000 or $4,000 became neces-
'ary to make the piers reliable and
he public did not see fit to stand it,
he would himself pay a thousand
lollars of it. but he very firmly re-
marked that he would not give his
'tficial sanction to any work on that
bridge until he was satisfied it filled
he bill as contemplated, nor would
le officially allow it to be paid for
otherwise. Mr.. Wallace echoed the
sentiment.
Mr.. Grondahl, Major Williams, Mr..
Wallace and Mr.. Mccoy went
out to the bridge in a boat to-
gether for an examination and ex-
planation. A JOURNAL representa-
dive was also on hand to take in the
situation and the remarks relating
thereto. A good force of men were
engaged mixing the concrete, throw
ing it into the frame of the pier and
tamping it down with heavy sticks
hattened for that purpose. BY tele-
graphic order from Mr.. Grondahl
yesterday, Mr.. Mccoy had the pro-
portion of materials changed, so
that now one part of cement to five
parts of gravel is used and the mix
ture, it is claimed by those who
claim to know, will make o wall
solid as the rock of ages.
Mr.. Grondahl explained to the
gentlemen that the pier as now be-
ing built will contain just as much
and Will prove II more solid
and safer structure than before the
jhange in form was made. The
mayor and Mr.. Wallace thought the
piers were not of sufficient dimen-
'lons at the bottom for their great
height and suggested that Il crib
might be sunk outside the present
work and filled IN to n level with
what Is already done, then continu.
ng upwards at the increased size.
Mr.. Grondahl was very Indignant
II the suggestion of change. He
said the pier was all right anG if
any change was made he would
have no more to do with il. Mr..
Wallace suggested that to satisfy
.he people and beget confidence in
he bridge, he thought the pier I
should have at least greater APP |
pearAnce of strength.
"Do you think" said Mr.. c., t
that | will allow a lot of farmers,
md store-keepers, and bankers, and {
he like, who know nothing about J
I, tn dictate to me and change my
,lans% |
"Well," said Mr.. Wallace, 1--WE I
re furnishing the money; Il
We once before were told we |
Knew nothing about the mat i
er, and we were forced to sub
nit to the dictation of an engineer, a
aid to be one Of the best in the ma. .
ion; you know the result-we are h
now building another bridge after n
My TWO or three years. Because we I,
re farmers and other business men, =,
dr. Grondahl, It is not necessary n
hat We are idiots, or that we are n
ntirely without knowledge of what IA
We need" =,
Major Williams and Mr.. Grondahl ~
.lso had some plain conversation ON >,
he majors part, but very little sat n
could be derived from the :,
Engineer, who was quite sulky. AZ
erward business meeting of inter
sted heavy taxpayers was held and n
'ounty Judge Waldo, Of this county II
nd Judge Stoufler, of Polk were d
elegraphed request TO come here ?
'ud see what IL best to be- done. Ii Il
hey do not arrive by morning Mayor l
Williams will probably order the u
work stopped until amicable ar Il
can he made,
Mr. Grondahl took the afternoon 4
rain for Portland, seemingly disro- I
yarding the complaints made. lie /
said to a JOURNAL man at the depot c
that he would come up later, pro-
vided the county courts sent for
him. As the train came in, he was
met by one OF the contractors and I,
they enjoyed go"d laugh between
themselves about the "kicks" being
made. This Is probably the same
which the overseer of the