The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-04-27

| to the laws OF pennsylvania, relative
to Bridge Inspection, will modify this
condition or not is a question which
| cannot answer. Under the condi-
tons hereinbefore stated, it is evident
that the Commissioners of Columbia
County were perfectly right and justi-
fable in passing their resolution of
March Ist, 1894, rejecting estimates
No. I and No. 2 in favor of Joseph
Hendler, contractor, as not binding
on the county, the special points be-
ing that said estimates were for work
in place, (south abutmen) not con-
structed in accordance with the speci-
ications and contract, and for mater
ials delivered or prepared at the quar-
ry, which were not the subject of an
estimate under the contract.
have been requested to state fig
ures of COS: for various kind of ma
sonry. This is somewhat difficult to
do, as the cost will vary with local cir
cumstances, and be governed largely by
the freight charges on material, the
cost of quarrying and cutting the par
ticular kind of stone, and incidental
expenses due to the particular loca-
ton of the work. On the Philadel-
| pha & Reading Terminal work in the
city of Philadelphia from May, 1891,
to fall of 1898, | have been paying for
masonry constructed of Conshocken
stone, and laid in Portland cement
mortar the following prices:
Rubble work in retaining walls:
50 IS per cubic yard. First class ma
sonry in abutments $o.75 per cubic
oard. First class masonry in piers:
$Ia.75 per cubic yard.
This masonry in its execution and
finish is superior SO far as that done
at the Bloom Ferry Bridge, and the
backing in first class masonry is all
coursed.
In answer to an inquiry propound-
ed to me | would state (though per-
haps l have covered the point pre-
viously) that the filed plans of the
bridge masonry are in my opinion
crude and indefinite, that the quaint
ties of masonry and other work can
not be figured from them. The orig
inal estimates filed are also indefinite.
The object as understand it in filing
plan and estimates is that the Com
missioners shall have in their office
| definite statement of what the work
is going to cost, and also to have
| check on the estimates returned frc
time to time from their Engineer. J
preliminary estimate should be in
tail, giving the measurement of e.;
| kind of work, with probable price
| and this would be check as to quan
| titles on future returns. | understand
from you that under the law the
amount of the original estimate can
not be exceeded. 1t is usual in max
ing such estimates to include an item
of ten per cent. for engineering and
contingencies which appear not to
have been done in this case, therefore
any incidental expenses must be
charged against the general account
In Mr.. Hendler's contract the work
done is to be paid for by the cubic
yard, &C., but there is nothing in the
contract fixing limit as to the num-
Der of yards, &C., or the ultimate cost
of the work.
The superstructure of the bridge is
covered in the contract with the King ''-
Bridge Company. One drawing showing
details of the iron work is attached to
the contract of November 24th, 1903,
and is marked approved by Mr.. Brown
as of that date. Six other blue prints
were handed to me, being dated re-
spectively, December 9th, 1898, jan
uary IS, II, two prints IS, and 20,
1894.
Two or three of these sheets were
given me just before | left Blooms
burg, and | did not have an opportu-
nifty to examine them carefully at that
time. From my first hasty look at
the drawings, l was under the impress
sion that no strain sheet had been
furnished; on closer examination |
find that most of the information is
contained on the blue prints, though
it is not in the shape that we are ac-
customed to see it. have not had
the iron work drawings examined and
figured over, as it would take some
time to do it properly. 1t can be
done hereafter if you desire it, and
could be covered quicker with some
additional information from the
Bridge Company, Mr.. Brown in
formed me, in answer to my inquiries,
that the strain sheet had not been
checked over, that no test had been
made of the quality of the iron and
steel used in the structure, and no in
SDectiOn had hean o,oJa or H. I