Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-04-10
THIRD STREET BkIDaE.
Defects Reported by Engineers EN-
pi0b cd by the Levy Court.


Defects Reported by Epgiueers En,-
piob cd by the Levy Court.
Thur day IN rniag's semion of the levy
court was devoted to confederation OF
the new Third streat bridge The cost Of
the new bridge hss been paid for except
about $500, which has been held back
TIC insure a proper completion of the work
before the entire bill is paid. Recently
the court employed two enginesrs--A. L.
Carmichael, engineer at the alnshouse,
and James Morrison, one of the best ma.
ohinists in the employ OF the Pusey Il
Jones Oo.-tD examine the bridge ortiz
cally and make q complete report of its
defects and shortcomings. Their reports
were presented this morning. MIR. Oar
michaei's report was first read, and is as
fellows
To he Committee on Bridge-GRSrLEMEN |:
have made an examination OF things in
general at Third street bridge and find
some OF the teeth In the segment wheel
broken. The bolts that hold tho track
down are worthless, as they are stuck down
Into holes in the rock. The pinion that
works In segment wheel springs three
fourtng OF an Inch each way, making a
spring OF II Inches and IL working badly
The cap on pinion box Is also broken. Two
OF the shafts are out OF line, the teeth Of
their wheels are geated so deep that they
work badly. some OF the boxes are boised
10 wood instead OF iron. The beams
should bs fastened to girdeIs aud OrAoed
betYeen With iron braces. The friction
wheel that puts up rests and wedges in ID
rather small Tor the work 1t has 10 do. 1t
takes all the strength of good man to
make 1t work. The levers that work the
Fiction wheel and the oue that lifts latch
2lnnlh h ia "A NJ mn no. a q
to drop In ea'chss on quadrant. The
screws Oh wedges and rests could be made
so rs not to jam 10 easily by shortening
connecting rous. There has been but one
wedge working since have been on the
bridge. The luse should come out by lining
Of box on bridge; II Ia also bad having tho
iuse on shore burn out when the draw
is of.
Ths bridge wont hold when the wind Is
blowing. 1t should have brake by all
nleans, so as to hold 1t When needed, 1t
Will, know, do damage come time. The
gates on the approaches are not quick
enough; 1t takes too long 10 shut them, and
when shut they can be sprung so as any.
body can pass by.
There ara a great many little things that
could be changed by the bridge-tender to
suit himself that | Will not mention, for
they don't amount TO much.
A. l.. CARMICHAEL.
The other engineer, James Morrison,
made report to the same effect as Mr.
Carmichsei's, but going into the defects
Of the bridge more in detail. Mr. Morri-
Fon gave Some Buggeations as TO what
work ia necessary to remedy the defects.
He said the amount Withheld by the levy
court on account of the contract was sui-
tioient to fully cover the cost of all neoes-
sary alterations aud improv ments, Both
engineers thought the bridge was very
good one.
MIR. Hickman moved that the contrao-
tors, Dean IL Westbrook, bs instructed to
do the work recommended by the engi-
neerH at their own expense, under the
supervision of the Pussy IL Jones Com
pany. Tho motion was adopted. II vas
also resolved to put brake on the draw,
so as to regulate its movt msnt during the
prevalenos OF heavy winds.
Then the court adjourned until 100
O'Clock, p. IN.
Atths session Of levy court yesterdayIaster-
noon week u communication was received
from Diamond state Grange, Patrons OF
Hnsbandry, containing a resolution r9-
Gently adopted by the grange, asking the
levy court to blish statement showing
the county's bonded debt, floating debt,
row carried, the assets OF the county and
receipts and expenses for the past year. 1t
WAS referred to the finance committee.
MIR. Wier said that tho desired financial
statement was being prepared and would
soon be made puhlic.
| II. l.. Truax was appointed to collect the
uncollected taxes OF Appoqulnipink hun
dred ior 1888. In place OF Duval Gibbs, re-
signed.
The levy court continued in session
in the afternoon, but was occupied
exclusively in the auditing Of claims
| against the county. Adjournment was
made until ~ O'Clock Tuesday morning.
At Tue day mornings levy court the
bond OF Il. l.. TruAS--Y!neent o. Hill and
| w. Fl. LOckard, Huretles--as colleotor OF
the unsolicited taxes OF 1888 for Black bird
hundred, In place of Duval Gibbs, was
accepted John Ii. Rodney, Esq the courts
attorney, was instructed To enter sRtlsfac.
tlon upon the official bond OF George Z.
Raardpu, collector Of taxes for Mill Greek
hundred for 1889, he having settled In full
| for that year, Mr.. Reardon Ia the fret OF
| the collectors to settle for 1889. No other
/ business was transacted.
At the afternoons session OF the levy
court j.. Elmer Oats was elected con-
stable of Black ORD b ndrei, In place Of
/ Thomas Caventer, who declined the APP
! pointment. This was the solitary item OF
business during the session. There was 8
bare quorum present, and the members
spent most OF tho TINS 1 the committee
! room, or writing letters. About IS O'Clock
court adjourned until Tuesday moruing.
! The levy court met yesterday, but mo
| business was transacted. As soon as the
minutes wete read the different committees
assembled md spent the morning In the
examination OF members accounts, the
! sheritf's iced bill and ether claims Egaln5 Il
the county The court was in session 10
| Inn .LIEnInnnn.