Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-02-28
MORE EVIDENCE,
OF THg RNDgAyORs OF THIsTBRL BRIDGE
FOLKS TO BAXBO0zLB THE PEOPLE.
Some Rank Mlssiattmsnis Oontradictsd Con-
miitse Of Conference, Appointed Tuesday
Night, 10 Meet This Evening.

The steel bridge men, conscious OF the
inherent weakness of their cause, and re-
al ling the unpopulsrity Of the stand they
have taken, are following the plan almost
invariably resorted to by people in similsr
circumstances, and are endesvoripg to boil
ster up their side of the proposition by
misleading the public as to the facts, and
bringing up all manner of things calculat-
ed to give a wrong impression as to the
true situation. The Mteliigenoer has been
one of the most active and persistent of
the disseminstors of this species of I'M
truth, a1d yesterday morning made
number of misststemerts. Oae was to
the effect that the figures pre-
sented in Council by Mr.. Seeley were 30
valuable that nearly everyone was con-
WINGED that the erection of stone bridge
would be impracticable and waste OF
money, and that the idea of such bridge
had been abandoned by all but few.
This is is all sbout az far from the truth
as even the Intelligeneer ever gets The
figures presented in Council, Tuesday
night, deceived no o1e, il being apparent
at glance that the estimate" was gotten
M upon "A vastly exaggerated basis, with
the especial idea of creating prejudice
against the stone bridge, by having the
public contrast $50, 600 for steel bridge,
with $l44. 500 for stone bridge. The
thing WAS too transparent, aud the object
sought after WAS 50 obvious. that the pur-
pose entirely failed, especially when the
careful and accurate estimates of City Ea-
gineer Hoge. were recalled 10 mind, rs
published by the REGISTER yesterday. II
it be true, as alleged by the steel bridge
crowd, that the people are 80 largely in
favor of another addition to the present
interesting collection OF picturesque ruins,
they run no isk in allowing the voters TO
pass upon the question. The popular will
could only result in the vindication Of
their claims, and they should court, rather
than shun, on election by the people.
The proposition Of the steel men to mod
ify the Wilson resolution, so ss TO make
the cost of $50, 900 bridge payable in five
years, and to Issue 5 per cent. bonds for
the amount, is fair sample OF the argu
ments and information upon which the
steel men rely in their efforts TO bam-
boozle the people. The city cannot issue
& We year bonds, and this the steel bridge
men ought to know, if they are FLOWING
with information ON the general subject.
City bonds can not run for less time
than ten years.
The steel bridge men having sought to
throw discreiit upon the figures embraced
ia Engineer Hoge's estimate, the REGISTER
has been asked for come infor nation rs to
their reliability. The average Of Mr..
Hoge's figures is about $l2 per yard, the
masonry estimates ranging from 81 TO $40.
Everyone. whether expert or laymar, has
admitted the solid and substantial char
scter of the stone work pat up
by the USion Bridge Company. 1t
has won universal praise. That stone
work was sub.let for exactly SO per yard,
and OF course, cost less than that amount
Twelve dollars yard is 25 per cent. more
than 50. and if the proposed bridge can be
built twenty five per cent. better than the
Union bridge work, for SD per yard, 1t
will certainly be a satisfactory structure.
AZ to the reliability of Mr. Hoge's figures,
statement by Assistant Eoeineer White.
will be of interest. That gentleman said:
"Refore making his figures, Mr.. HOge
Consulted with quite number of en-
eineers snd stone-mssons, fully outlining
the situation and conditions to be met
Among those he talked with Was Mr. Gil.
Brown, Chief Eoginesr of the Union
bridge work, and his estimate received
the endorsement Of that expert. Mr.
Hoge's bridge is not a stone shell, filled
with spals or other filing, as has been al
legged, but is for solid masonry, in two
foot courses, oil stones TO be solid and
heavy, and the work to be strictly first
class ia every respect. The measure
ments are accurate. aud either bridge
mentioned by Mr.. Hoge can be built for
the money he mentions"
Last evening the conference committee,
which consists of Messr'. Wilson, Halter
and Pollock, of the First Branch Of COun-
Gil, and Messfs. Brandfass, Hsrrell and
Seeley of the Second, as noted in the
Council proceedings of Wednesday morn
ing, was called 10 meet TO night, at the
City Hall, in company with the City Eugi-
neer.