New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-16
IS HIGH BRIDGE A BRIDGET
CHIEF ENGINEER BIRDsALL SAYS THAT II
IS NOT. AND THAT THE FRIDGE
DEPARTMENT HAS NOTHING
TO DO WITH IT.

TO DO WITH 1T.
The old question. When Is door not doorr
seems likely to have a modern rival in the ques-
tion when Is a bridge not bridge?" II has not
perhaps taken that precise form In the Depart.
ment of Bridges brought into being by the new
charter but the officials are already wrestling with
a number OF problems no less abstruse. There has
been some difficulty in ascertaining the exact num-
Der of bridges in the five boroughs Of New-York
over which they have Jurisdiction. and there has
been disposition manifested on the part OF some
other city officials exercise control over bridges
of minor Importance, on the ground that they are
q part of the highways. or for some other reason.
question has arisen regarding certain bridges
or supposed bridges within the city limits. and
back OF all is the fundamental question OF what
constitutes a bridge The dictionary definition OF
a bridge does satisfy the Commissioner OF
Bridges and his subordnates. The dictionary has
this to say on the subject
Bridge. Any structure which spans a body OF
water. a valley. road. or the like, and affords
passage conveyance"
That is both explicit and comprehensive, but Il
the in charge OF the new Department were to
accept this definition its face value they might
find themselves in trouble. Accordingly. they
seeking to ascertain from high engineering author.
ity precisely what bridge is and when they get
the engineers definition they will be governed
cordingly.
The most interesting questions that have to b
answered regarding bridges relate TO High Bridge
10 the One-hundred -and-hfty viaduct and
to the vladuct which is TO be constructed across
the valley at Manhattarville carrying the Rivers
side Drive several blocks northward The two via.
ducts form class BY themselves. the only differ
ence being that one is completed. while the
tract for the erection of the other has tust been let
Whether the work Of building the Manhattan vas
duct shall be done under the supervision OF the De.
partment OF Bridges or OF some other Department,
presumablys that OF Highways. Is a matter yet to
be determined
High Bridge presents the most novel question OF
all. This has always been part OF the Croton
Aqueduct Bureau, the chief engineer Of which has
been George W. Birdsal. Referring to this matter
the other day, another city official said: IF the
Department OF Bridges lays hand High Bridge
Mr. Birdsal will be In state Of mind That has
always been Of his pets" When Chief Engi-
neer Brdsall asked about the matter he
showed plainly enough that there doubt
whatever in his mind as to what official should
have control Of this structure. Mr. Birdsall
belongs to the Department OF Water Supply. but
the transfer has left him practically where he
before. with special oversight OF the Croton water.
High Bridge" he said. rs not bridge at all
strictly speaking; IT is part OF the Croton Aque-
duct. It built for the purpose OF carrying the
aqucduct the Harlem River and for no
other purpose. II is true that people have been
allowed 10 walk across 1t freely. but that is a mat.
ter OF accommodation and courtesy. They have
never had any right to High Bridge In this
way and whenever choose We have a right to
close the structure 10 the people. II is not q
bridge in the ordinary meaning Of the word. and
have no doubt that It will remain In the custody Of
chief engineer Of this Department. where II has
practically always BEEN
When Mr. Birdsals position reported at the
Office OF the Commissioner OF Bridges. one OF the
officials said that probably 1t was sound. and that
his Department would have no desire 10 go outside
OF It's legitimate field. At the same time he added.
1t would have TO be guided in this and other mat.
by the advice OF competent engineers