The evening world., 1894-07-16
OPPOSED TO PIERS.
Chamber of Commerce Will Fight
the New Bridge Plans.
Favors a Suspension Structure,
but Not Cantiiever.
1t Would Interfere with Commerce
and Menace Navigation.

Further opposition to the present
plans for the construction OF the New
York and New Jersey Bridge across the
Hudson River was markedly developed
this mornins, and from quite a powerful
and somewhat unexpected source.
Now II is the New York Chamber of
Commerce that objects to the bridge. on
the grounds that the construction OF the
proposed two big piers in the river bed
is not only an unwarrantcd interference
with commerce. but a serious menace
to the safety OF river navigation.
Should the Chamber OF Commences
objections be sustained. the Bridge
Company must change its plans from a
canti!eNer construction to II suspension
scheme. This means a bridge span
length of 300 feet. instead of 100 feet,
as at present planned, under the can't
lever scheme, which Is an Increase of
about 80 per cent. In length and an In
crease Of several millions in the cost Of
construction.
If the Chambers views are indorsed
all the work of considering the borings
and present plans of the Board of En-
pert Engineers, sitting In the United
States Army Building, will have been
for naught.
Tomorrow morning at 1880 o'clock the
Board of Expert Engineers, appointed
by President Cleveland to consider the
length OF the bridge span. will give n
public hearing to u Special Committee
sisting Of Gustav H. Schwab, Of the
North German Lloyds Steamship Com
pany;, James Simmons, President OF the
/ Fourth National Bank. and George
Coykendall, vice-rresident. of a leading
towboat company of New York.
The views OF the Committee Will be
expressed by Englneer William Hidden,
brand. He will lay before the Board
engineering statistics to prove that a
bridge can be constructed without it's
piers encroaching at all on the river
span will De both safe and practical.
Gustaye Sch Wab. Chairman of the
Chambers special Committee, expressed
himself very freely. on the question to
THE Chamber of Commerce most en-
phatically protests against the construc-
outside Of the pier head lines, and will
do all that POSSIBLY lies in its power"
said he ito prevent the injury to com
meGce and navigation that the Hudson
| River BriCge on its present proposed
plans would certainly cause"
I'VE have got the advice OF the best
engineers In America. among them Mr..
Roebling; the engineer Of the Brooklyn
be spanned by a bridge whose piers do
not obstruct the new bed. OF course a
cantilever bridge Is out OF the question
and the suspension plan alone Is practi-
cable, owing to the large increase In the
lergth Of span.
\ The Chamber thinks 1t is ar outrage
that the Bridge Company. to save IA few
million dollars. should undertake TO in
jure New Yorlt's commerce and naviga
ton many times that amount. We shall
fight the present plans tooth and mai
and use every effort and influence 20 pre-
vent the proposed outrage.
THE Chamber Is not opposed to tn
construction of Il bridge across the Hud
son River: indeed. II will welcome thu
construction Of a dezen. but the rive
must be kept clear. Nor does the Cham
Der care a cent as to where the bridges
ere located. They will be welcome ev
re- hundred feet II the constructors 81
desire"
The Board of Expert Engineers me
again this morning in executive session
in the United States Army Building
, Major Raymond, Chairman of tn,
Board, said that to-morrows meeting
when the Chamber of Commences pro
test will be heard, would be open to tn,
public.