The record-union., 1896-08-04
AMERICAN RIVER BRIDGE.
It Will be Examined Again by Other
Experts.
Supervisor Morrison Replies to State
ments Made Rejecting on
the Board.

When the Board of Supervisors met
yesterday morning all the members
were present except Mr.. Jenkins, who
was delayed about an hour by g. late
train. After the minutes had been read
and disposed of, Chairman Morrison
called attention to the matter of recent
structures published by a Sunday paper
against all the members of the board
regarding it's action concerning the re-
pairs to be made to the Twelfth-street
American River bridge.
Mr.. Morrison said the statement
had been published by certain irrespon-
sible parties that the board had or
dered Darby Laydon to repair the
bridge at cost of between $1,000 and
$4,000. The minutes of the board show
that nothing Of the kind had been
done, and every member of the board
could testify to this fact.
The truth was that I4aydon reported
to the board that the repairs to the
bridge would cost in that neighborhood.
Recognizing the necessity for prompt
action, and acting strictly within the
law, which authorizes work of that
character to be done without the delay
of advertising for bids, the board had
directed Mr.. Laydon to make the nee
essary repairs and present an itemized
bill therefor. 1t remained with the
board to allow the demand or reduce
it as the board might see fit. No sum
was stated to be paid for the work.
Mr.. Morrison said that while ordi-
narily he would pay no attention to
such misrepresentation, he deemed it
necessary in this case to take cogni-
zance of it, as possibly some citizens
might be misled, not being familiar
With the facts. Mr.. Eckhardt, an ex-
terienced civil engineer, a man wholly
d-sinterested in the matter, examined
the bridge at his (Nlorrison's) request
and reported that the repairs recon-
mended by Laydon were necessary. If
Mr.. Laydon made a false report to the
hoard, he for one, wanted to know it.
In order to have the matter deter
mined beyond the possibility of a
doubt he had gone to see G. A. Stod-
dard, the well-known civil engineer and
bridge expert Of the railroad company,
with a view to having him examine the
bridge and report as to the extent of
the work necessary. Mr.. Stoddard was
snson of the railroad company, another
wholly disinterested and thoroughly
competent person, had been recon-
snended as a proper person to examine
fnto the matter. He saw Mr.. Robinson,
and the latter said that if the board
desired it he would on Tuesday Go-
day. go out to the bridge with an as
sistant and make a thorough examina-
fion of 1t and report the result.
Mr.. Morrison said he knew of no way
for the members of the board to obtain
satisfaction for the Misrepresentation
heaped upon them, and therefore be-
1ieved 1t best, in view of the circum-
stances, to have some entirely disinter-
ested, competent and reliable person
like Mr.. Stoddard or Mr.. Robinson set
the matter at rest one way or the other
by making a careful inspection of the
bridge.
Supervisor Todd then moved that
David Falconer of this city be en-
ployed to be present and assist in the
proposed inspection, and it was so or
dered.
Mr.. Laydon being present addressed
the board on the subject. He said he
had ordered the castings made that
are to replace those fractured and had
also his piledriver ready and gangs of
carpenters and laborers ready to go
TO work. He had seen the publications
referred to by Chairman Morrison,
wherein he was virtually accused of
being a thief He had consulted an at
torney in regard to the matter, but
was advised that it would be a difficult
matter to obtain any substantial sat
isfaction The attorney advised him
further to go ahead do the work, and
present an itemized bill therefor to
the board, and if it deemed the bill too
high it could cut it down.
Mr.. Laydon said he would be satisfied
to have Mr.. Robinson or any other com
petent expert examine the bridge, and
would willingly abide by whatever re-
port he might make. The action taken
by the board was timely, for the bridge
is in a dangerous condition, and if it
should collapse and sacrifice human
life the county would have big bill of
damages to meet. He had done con-
siderable bridgework in this county,
and challenged anyone to point out an
instance in which the county had not
been the gamer He desired to have the
matter OF tne American river pIluBS
settled at once, so he might bring his
machinery here and go to work.
WANT A BRIDGE.
A communication was received from
"A G.. Thornton stating that the Super
visors of San Joaquin County were
ready to meet the Sacramento Super
visors at any time convenient to them
to consult in regard to the building OF