The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-09-09
GREATEST OF ALL BRIDGES.
To sDaa the Hudson and 60 Cost sometAinE
Like oAO. 900. o

Aino DAOsOOOIOOO.
The biggest of all the engineering schemes in
contemplation around this city is the one for the
bridging OF the Hudson River. That sooner or
later New York must have communication 10
tho eastward direct by rail and road there can
b no doubt, whether this Is to DO accom-
plished by going over or under the waters OF
the North River.
Probably passages will ultimately be built
by both routes. Ono under the river was
begun . long while ago and is yet
unfinished. The project for bridging the
river would probably never have taken def
aite shape but for the cheapness OF steel in
these later years. No one would have ever con-
sented TO restrict or threaten the navigation OF
eur noble river with the piers OF an old-fashion-
I'd bridge, and no other kind would have
been possible without the use OF steel. A few
years ago the cost OF this material was too
great to have warranted even a dream OF put
ting M such . structure as is now contemplated,
viewed as . commercial venture. Nothing to-
day, according to Its sanguine projectors,
seems TO stand in the way OF the building OF
this noble structure except the chance OF an
unfAvorable decision by tho Secretary OF War
regarding the necessity OF one river pier for the
bridge, the site for this, and consequently a
nxins OF the width OF the clear span OF the
In the report OF the Commission of Engineers
appointed oy the President TO investigate anSa
1900 feet would be safe and practicable for a
bridge, IL 10 admitted that q 2,000- foot span
cAntileVer bridge, with q pier In the river, such
= that already designed for the New York and
New Jersey Bridge Company, would be both
made BY the commission does not coincide with
that made by the company. The commission,
moreover, seems To prefer q suspension bridge.
Tho bridge eompAny's plans have been care
k1ly prepared. and the men interested believe
RI they can convince Secretary Lamont that
The Secretary has promised 70 hear their ArRu-
nents before he decides.
Should the decision OF the Secretary of
War 30 In, favor OF permitting the build
Ing OF such = bridge as the company has
gin almost It once, and We may soon see
rsinE before Us the greatest structure OF
modern times, Eight Ethel towers bundled
together would not equal the great cahti-
lever bridge that i Is proposed 10 throw
e9ross the Hudson from somewhere between
sey shore. Already, before a single bit Of
work upon the bridge proper has been done.
the projectors have spent half a million OF
collars. All Of this money has gone To pay
lawyers fees. getting the necessary legislation, I
and for the engineering work needed TO
bridge, TO build, what such : bridge would
cost. the character OF the bottom upon which
IL would stand, aud what kind OF foundations a
might have. legislation was the most trouble
some end Of all this, New York and New Jer-
coy charters had both 10 be had, with authority
nnAlly the grant OF rights nom the United
btAte9 70 oross these nAyiEable waters.
Eight years have been consumed In this pre-
liminATy work. To accomplish Il two com
p4ote4 were formed. one In this state aud one In
As~ J~Ssy. HsoIT n HAEr and FFSd oOlVSF