Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-26
WHAT is LIKELY TO BE DONE NOW
One Of Two Courses to be Parsued An
That 1t Once.

Ooo OF Two Courses to DO PueSu0d and
That 1t Once.
Chief Engineer John Sterling
Deans. of the Phoenix Bridge COM
panv. started from Philadelphia last
night and is expected in Rock Island
tomorrow morning. H. A. Parker.
assistant to the president of the Rock
Island road, arrived in his private
car this morning, inspected the
wreck and went into conference with
Engineers Mo djeska and Mercer. Of
the Bridge company, and Col. A. r.
Burlington. of Rock Island arsenal.
When Engineer Deans arrives some
definite plan of action will be
adopted and put into execution at
once. la fact, some course, it is be
lieved, will be agreed upon this after
noon. One of two courses seems
likely to he adopted: Either the
| trestle will be reconstructed with the
danger of obstructing navigation
and the span reconstructed while
traffic is resumed on the Rock Island
road. or the draw span will be con-
structed up and down the river on
the draw pier and then swung into
place, thus keeping the channel open
to boats. although effectually shut
ting off the use of the bridge by the
Rock Island road. Supt. Milliken
said this morning that it might be
possible to stretch q pontoon bridge
across the channel and thus continue
the running of trains. the pontoon to
be swung out Of place to permit the
passage OF the boats. This arrange
ment, however, would be tremen-
dously expensive.
One thing is certain. and that is
that for the present at least the dam
aged span is to be rebuilt to permit
the running Of trains. Supt. Taylor
had his men at work this morning on
the preliminary operations to the
temporary truss, and while both he
and Mr.. Milliken said they could get
the bridge ready for the running OF
trains in . couple Of days time If
desirable. they were careful not to
say that such was the intention.
Cannot Stop Navig.tion.
Capt. c. w. Durham, of Col. w. r.
Kings engineer corps. said this
morning that under no circumstan-
ces can navigation be blocked. and
he sees no way Of getting out of the
predicament unless the draw span is
built lengthwise on the draw piers.
The trouble is" said Capt. Durham.
1.-THE Phoenix company undertook
too much in order to keep the rail-
road open while the work was going
ON. The false work could never
have been calculated to stand the
pressure Office. The company hoped
to get out of the way by the time Of
the break up, but it took too great
chances. The bridge. however, must
be kept open rs soon as boats begin
to run. Any craft that fails to get
through there can lay at the draw
and claim damages for every day OF
delay"
Rsplacipg the wiess.
The Peoples Power company had
its wires in operation again last
night and the Central Union Tele-
phone company had one wire 1T its
service last night and its cable will be
replaced by tomorrow. The Tri-
City Street hallway cor pany hopes
TO get its current in trans mission
across the river again by tonight.
All the telegraph wires are working
rs usual.
Rock leland Finds . Way.
Notwithstanding the complete cut
ting OF Of the Rock Island railroad
lcompany's communication 70 and
its1 the west at this point IL con