The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-06


qchen bridges are uRcommonly cheap, don't
stand upon the order Of closing good
bargain.
NOW SPEED THE BRIDGES.
BY a happy compromise, suggested
by City Solicitor Torrey differences as
to the method of proceeding toward
the actual work of bridge construction
have been harmonized, and the joint
committee of councils, at q time when
it was feared there might be delay,
has been enabled to move expeditiously
forward. 1t has been decided to rec
ommend tho procuring of the newer
approach to the structure that is to
span the Roaring Brook. leaving to the
mayor, in his discretion. the question
either of accepting the S3j. 900 offer Of
the Platt estate. by terms Of amicable
adjustment, or Of institutinS con-
demnation proceedings, with such
correlative action as he may
deem advisable. With view
to Fastening the work, the joint
committee has recommended an
amendment to the ordinance governing
the purchase of the Roaring Brook ap.
proach. increasing its appropriation
from $9j. 900 to $3j, 900 Although
upon its face this action appears to in
volve trsnsgression of the original
limit of expense, it is fair to say that
probabilities favor thu erection Of the
bridges and approach within the $l2j,-
900 estimate, even though the approach
itself should cost $lj 600 more than hal
originally been anticipated. The gain
to the city in point Of convenience and
appearance, under the revised ap-
proach, fully justiies the latter's
larger cost. as will bs explained here
after.
Equal progress characterized the
action Of the committee with reference
10 the Linden street bridge Here, the
obstacles encountered were slight, a
brief discussion revealing that a prompt
acceptance, by the city, Of the offers
already on file with the city clerk from
affected property owners. and the put
ting of the same in legal form, would
clear the way to the bond ordinance
itself, and make certain the quick com
lnencement Of the actual work Of con-
struction. An agreeable feature OF
the case in relation to both
bridges is the receipt by City En-
gineer Phillips of estimates from
bridge companies as to the iron
work that practically assure bids much
below his original computation It is
seemingly safe to predict that upon
the Roaring Brook bridge alone, there
will be a saving in the actual cost of
structural materials sufficient to reim-
burse the city for the increased cost of
the modified approach, thus kespin g
faith with the Taxpayers while at the
same time giving them a superior bar
gain for their money,
The advantage OF the modified ap
proach to the Roaring Brook bridge,
briefly told, are these; Under the or.
iginal plan. Spruce street was extended
clear through the Platt estate, in such
manner as to leave, upon tie north,
an unoccupied strip of land fifty five feet
in width. The opening Of this approach
would, it was feared, lead to the sale
of lots on this marginal strip, upon
which houses might DO built with their
rears facing the residences on Platt
place, thus depreciatiug the value OF
these Platt place holdings and, Rt the
same time. making impossible direct
approach to the proposed bridge from
Ridge row. Under the modified plan,
strip sixty feet wide is taken from the
Patt estate and added to Plstt placa,
thus widening it to 100 feet This
handsome roadway then itself becom
the approach, facilitating travel in
all directions. making Of what is now a
narrow and semi-private street spa
cious thorougfare. and saving its prop
srty-owners from otherwise inevitable
loss, Another merit of the modified
plan consists Of the fact that it will
set apart, at the very beginning Of the
approach, triangular park. seventy
feet wide at the base and one hundred
feet long, which, In addition to heauti.
flying the approach, will form happy
even il modest pleasure ground 1f
this can be done. as now seems proba-
BILE, within the S125,0O0 originally esti
mated, it will obviously be a distinct
improvement over the earlier plan. But
even though 1t should cost few thou
sand dollars in excess of $125,0O0
which is not probable it would still ba
an advantageous thing to do. AMI one
that progressive Scranton would glad
ly applaud.
Thus it will be seen that public dis
cussion has already operated to the
palpable benefit Of the city; and stint
lar discussion Of future improvements
is recommended as both proper land ex.
pedient While The TRIBUNE has had
slight difference OF opinion rs to the
plan urged upon councils by Mr. Roche,
it cannot deny him conspicuous credit
for his able, indefatigable and. indeed
invaluable services in promoting this
Iong-needsd enterprise. The spirit of
franknsss in which divsrging opinions
as to details Of progress have been
voiced. and the equal spirit of
cancellation and courtesy in which
they have been harmonized are happy
portents, which should not be psr-
mitted to pass without remArk. The
drift and conclusion Of this whole prs-
iiminary debate has been to make
palmer than ever that Scranton 10 i'm
bued with an iuvincible determination
to push steadily ahead; and the city Of
which this can be truly said need fear