New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-10
INCREASING THE BRIDGE FACTLTTIEA

The appointment by the Supreme Court last
week Of a commission to condemn the property
in this city required for the enlargement Of the
carrying capacity Of the Brooklyn Bridge Is an
important step in the direction of a sOrcy
needed improvement Public interest will now
naturally turn 10 the method which the Bridge
authorities propose 10 adopt in bringing about
tho desired result. The plan agreed on is com
monty known a the Martin Barnes plan. Is il
lcalS the names Of the engineer OF the Bridge
and one OF the trustees II consists, 20 put the
matter briefly, Of double switching arrange
mcnt whereby trains will have to cross one an
others path every fOrty-hyc seconds rs il Is
intended to run them on that Roadway from the
opposite sides Of each Of two platforms. 1t
does not require the trained mind Of the cn-
ginccr 10 perceive that such "A system involves q
large element Of danger, and we do not believe
the travelling public will eyer consent to the
adoption of this plan when once it is clearly
understood. "Thc Engineering News ha,
sounded a note of warning ON the subject which
ought not TO be unhccdcd. II said in recent
issue
It T. AZ once evident that train must pass the
crossing every forty five seconds that at reg
ular but irregular, intervals. II is quit" -af.
10 say that no other crossing IN the world Ia, yet
had such lively work over it, aud the crossing g.
situated on reversed 1OO.foOt radius curve. with
crowded platforms within Gy feet Of II, which panic
may work terrible result, ~ few seconds the danger
and Disadvantages Of such quick work over q crossing
intensified not to speak Of the added complications
which will come from any attempt 10 switch the train,
by cable.
The Board Of Experts which reported on tn"
question Of traffic facilities for the Bridge
nearly two years ago was unanimous in its con-
domination Of any system like this. The Board
consisted of such eminent engineers rs McS,rS.
Walter Katie, Julius Adams and Joseph Craw-
ford. and Of course their deliberate judgment j.
entitled to the greatest weight. They laid
special emphasis on the danger Of grade cross
ingS. and said =" We are therefore unanimous.
and most emphatic in the opinion that under no
circumstances should such devices be employed
upon the tracks Of the Bridge railway. They
might Of course. be employed safely for a long
time but experience merringly points to the in
eyitablc accident which, sooner or later. is sure
to Occur" I'm the face of verdict OF such un-
improbable authority the Bridge trustees have
resolved upon the adoption Of this plan. with all
its attendant dangers and terrible possibilities.
Ii will be remembered that the experts re-
ferred to heartily recommended the adoption
of the Wellington circulating system as the
method best adapted for the development of
the possibilities If the Bridge to the utmost
limit, with a total absence Of danger The
trustees, however. decided against this partly.
at least, on the ground of its cost and asserted
that the plan which they chose in preference
would "answer" until 1895, by which time it
was estimated that the daily travel on the rail
road would reach 22sO0O. Two years have
passed since then and nothing has been done
and the indications are that nothing will be &C