Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-03-03
the WILLAMETTE BRIDGE.
Is il Wise 10 Attempt Patching the cid
Structure Diversity Of
fluiniou.

ties, which IS: there must be sub
s.antial bridge across the Villa
mette at this point. and that in the
near future; but there is much dis
cussion a. to the kind Of bridge
whichs should replace the one washed
out.
The JOURNAL has refrained from
expressing an opinion on this point
aud is not going to do 50 now, but
its representatives have heard many
interested taxpayers giving their
views on the subject, and tie pre-
pondersnce Of these are opposed TO
any attempt at using the material
Of the old bridge in q patchwork
structure at an expense Of S35, 900
or $4,000 with the uncertainty of
stability which most naturally sug.
gests itself. Many farmers and bus
iness men, Of both counties, have
been heard to say they would much
rather bear their share of the cost of
an entirely new bridge, built upon
scientific principles, with an assured
life Of forty or fifty years, even
though that costshould reach S75, 900
to 100000, than topuy their portion
Of $4,000 or niuch less, for putting
together of tie old material upon
piers no matter how constructed.
Those holding thesc sentiments
arc possessed Of AN honest doubt and
suspicion that the component parts
Of the old bridge, after their recent
experience, can never be rearranged
TO make safe, reliable and lasting
structure for stream such as the
Willamette. They also think the
work of reconstruction should be
placed in the hands of contractor
Of sound business standing aId II
wide knowledge Of bridge building,
and subject to the supervision of
first-class engineering skill.
On the other hand, there are
many men, successful in their own
affairs and advanced thinkers in
matters of public Interest, who
earnestly maintain that the old mn
terial can be reconstructed upon
good and sufficient piers at II cost
of about S35, 900, forming bridge
that will stand the floods aud the
wear and tear Of time for many
years. These claim, upon the au-
thority Of those who have eXamin-
ed the remains Of the wreck, that
the iron and timbers have not been
injured TO any extent that will pre-
vent them from serving the purpose
of new material, and that II Is bet
ter to thus rebuild than to go to the
expense at this time of costly sus-
pension bridge.
Such are the marked shades Of
public opinion at present, which, it
is hoped, may be harmonized to the
greatest possible public good before
decisive action is taken.
Two points worthy of considera-
tion are advanced by the first named
class. II is said the people of Polk
county will much more cheerfully
and literally contribute toward the
erection of new aud reliable bridge
than for the reconstruction of the
old. This writer's experience In
talking with people from the coun-
try inclines to the belief that the
same Is true of the farming popula-
tlon of this county. The other point
urged Is that If the patching expert
ment is tried and 1t should in II few
years result in disaster like that of
last month, there would be n long
time before the people would consent
to build another
The JOURNAL Is confident that Il
cool and intelligent comparison Of
notes aud exchange of thought on
this important subject will bring
about a solution satisfactory to the
great majority, aud that when the.
work il completed we will be MI !
prepared to say--"the right thing |
has been done ns nearly as possible"
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