The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-27
THE BRIDGE EXPERT BOARD FILLED.
The Conditions and Prospects Under which
It VIII Work.

II VIII Work.
The Board Of Experts charged with the duty
OF examining the transportation and terminal
problem on the Brooklyn Bridge was filled yes
terday by tho appointment by Mayor Chaplin OF
Prof. George W. Plympton OF Brooklyn as the
third member. lilo will act with Mr.. Spencer,
appointed by Mayor Grant, aud Mr.. Buckhult%.
appointed by President Howell.
Prof Plympton has been since 1868 Professor
OF Physical Science ard Engineering In the
Polytechnic Institute OF Brooklyn. lie is II
graduate Of the Ronsselaer poiytechnic insti-
tute OF Troy. In 1852 he was Professor OF En-
cheering and Architecture in Cleveland Uni
versity In 1854 he was Professor Of Civil En-
cheering IN Albany. From 1859 10 1863 no
was Professor OF Mathematics and Engineer
ing in the State school at Trenton. lie has
been Professor OF Physics ard Applied Me-
chanics In Cooper Institute since 1862 and
was editor Of Van Nostrards Engineering Nag
asne from 1869 to 1856. In tho summer OF
1867 he had charge OF the arteslan behring's
made to aid In locating tho south tower OF tho
Brooklyn Bridge and he was President OF the
Brooklyn subway Commission during its ex-
istenos, dating from 1885.
Tho members Of the Board OF Experts are all
men OF high professional standing. Unfor-
tunately, however. there Is lacking among
them practical knowledge of the problem OF
transportation. What il most OF all neodel on
handling OF large crowds by rail. Not one CT
the members has any experience in this dircc-
has been the service Of one memUer rs Prosi-
dent OF railroad. but even no has had no
e5 I% IN the actual msnaGsmeIna OF
road men,. sureifntendents or masters OF
TRANSFORMATION, and men 81 oxp;e i had
lar more appropriate and the results would
have been far more valuable,
The work which the Board Is expected to do
has been done once hy thoroughly compe-
toni Board OF railroad experts. whose Judg-
ton i = because the ,incomretent, trustees
OF tho bridge. alter series OF scandnlous mis-
representations as to cost, failed to adopt the
necessary for another Board to do the work
over again. The character OF the men np-
Euarantee tha: they will do the work con-
sciontlouSly and WITHOUT bias They must
possible speed. for the inadequacy OF present
TRANSPORTATION facilities on the bridge It is well
known, has long passed the danger point, and
the probability Of a big dsastcr, The proceed
ings of The new, Board will therefore be
people OF Brooklyn, who have vital interests at
accept ed with every confidence In their good
faith by the people there Will be no eNpeota-
bridge management. The action OF the experts
will be In no degree binding upon the Board OF
10y that Board should be endorsed. nobody will
expect to see another one adopted. The plan
which the trustees have once adopted, and
which was unanimously condemned as dam
ge1ous by the first Board OF EAperts' pro-
tenn. in the operation Of which trains
will CROSS IN different directions every 80 Sec
onds point similarly located to that where
the last bridge accident occurred week ago.
On that occasion O car went of the track at the
cross.oyer switch and dashed Into ths switch
tees propose to send trains over that switch In
alternate directions every 80 seconds. instead
Of every 81 seconds, as now.
THE sUN's exposG in April, and the revela-
tions which have been made more recently.
have utterly destroyed rubli" confidence in the
present management. Other grave scandals
might be made public. but as there is no Of
fectual way OF changing the management be-
fore January 1t would scarcely be worth while
TO make further exposure until the authority
Is available Tor applying tho proper remedy.
But the work OF the new Board OF Experts will
not BIO thrown away. Ifthey prove competent
mon and their recommendations meet the APP
proval OF practical railroad men. the plans can
be, promptly executed by, more competent
bridge managers. who, It Is safe to say. will
take the places Of the present ncumbents
W all ha aa lQf