Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-02

pOSter1ty, MT Whlttail SAID ne DeleVed
the best was none too good, and that
posterity would sanction the expense.
Frank e. Haywood said the people of
Worcester were not satisfied with the
stone bridge because of its inappropri-
ateness and inadequacy in comparison
with the body of the water it was de-
signed to span. He was not prejudiced
by boating interests, although he en-
joyed the sport An American Henley,
like that on the Thames, could be held
if there We're no bridge at all at the
lake. If it were only a passage for
boats that was needed, such a passage
could be built for $5000 $4,000 or $4,000
that would satisfy all necessities He
figured that the stone bridge at $4,000
would cost about $3.50 foot for con-
struction, while the proposed Norcross
bridge could be built for about $166.67 a
foot If he was on the finance commit
tee he would consider this point. If we
are not able now to restore Lake Quin-
! sigamond to its former condition H.
abolishing the causeway, it would be
| better to wait three or four years until
| we can do so.
| Col. w. A. Williams spoke of the old
floating bridge, which he said was dis
placed by the causeway. The city has
grown from 5000 tc more than 100000
inhabitants, and he believed this beau
| tiful lake, once a unit, should now be
a unit again Let us have it as 1t was
when the country was first settled but
not attempt to link the two portions by
a small hole such Us would be built for
a sewer pipe. There was no question
| about the matter of taste, and he be-
lieved Mr.. Norcross views We're sub
stantially correct He cautioned the
| city government not to spend $4,000 for
something that will have to be torn
down in a short time to satisfy the peo-
pie. Let's have bridge that will be
| satisfactory to Worcester when it is
city of 500, 900. Let's have a bridge
| that will make the lake a unit and stand
for all time and satisfy all the people.
James Early said he was interested in
restoring the lake to its original shape,
| but believed the building of the stone
| bridge would not be satisfactory.
George T. Dewey spoke in a similar
vein, and then A. A. Coburn was called.
! He said when the matter was first agi-
tated he was in favor of the stone
bridge, because he believed it better
| than no bridge; but since he has seen
a possibility of getting such bridge
as proposed by Mr.. Norcross, he was
heartily in favor Of that. With all the
parks and breathing places In Worces-
ter he believed the people frequenting
the lake numbered 10 to / to those in
all the other places combined and as
| We'll as ne could judge the great ma
Jortty of these preferred the Norcross
bridge. He knew the people of Lake
view were favorable to the Norcross
bridge. He did not favor the opening of
the lake on account of boating interests
alone, but in the interests of the people
lie also thought the general opinion
among the many clubmen at the lake
was favorable to the Norcross plan.
EN-Alderman A. A. Rheutan said he
n of h,sff1r 80
place the causeway. He approved the
Norcross bridge above all others he had
seen, but hadn't considered the question
or cost. If the committee feel the city
of Worcester can't afford to put in a
suitable bridge 1t would be better to
drop the subject until such time as a
proper bridge can be built Councilman
Hall asked the witness if he was one of
the men who believed in dropping the
subject if the city believed it could not
afford the steel bridge, and Mr.. Rheutan
replied that he was. If the city can't af-
ford the steel bridge, it would be better
TO wait and not spend $4,000 for some
thing nobody wanted. He favored pay
; ing damages to the contractor rather
than have the stone bridge built. This
remark was vigorously applauded,
John Gilman next asked to be heard,
and said he was always in favor of a
stone bridge, and believed in letting Mr..
Norcross build it, He then talked at
random and furnished considerable
amusement for the audience by his con-
fident and repeated assertion that we
are on 'the eve of the greatest prosper
ity this country ever saw eso +
4 Councilman O'ConneN calling up Mr..
Norcross, said it had been represented
to the committee that it would cost $4,000
or $1,000 year to maintain the steel
bridge, and asked MIR. Norcross how he
arrived at his figure of $1,000 year for
maintenance The latter replied that a
steel bridge should be examined and
repainted at least once every four years,
and this would not cost more than $4,000.
In reply as to how long a steel bridge
| would last, he said he did not know, but
there are steel bridges in good condition
which were built 80 years ago. There
has been a great advance in bridge
building in late, years. The brightest
men in the country are engaged in the
work In reply to a question from
Councilman Powell, Mr.. Norcross said
he did not believe it wise to build the
middle span and allow future city gov
ernments to finish the bridge on account
of the filling necessary. He thought two
spans of his bridge could be built for
$65 000 A suspension bridge could be
built for 100000, but he did not believe
in building suspension bridges where
! other kinds of construction would an
swer.
! Col. w. w. Gile was the last speaker,
and created considerable enthusiasm
/ He said it was the intention to have sew
eral of the largest taxpayers of the city
at the hearing, but they had authorized
him to state they were in favor of the
city spending 100000 or more for the
/ construction Of bridge to properly span
the causeWay. He was instructed by r.
c. Taylor to say ne was ready to be
taxed for the NorcrosS bridge, and so
also were Mr.. Salisbury and Mr.. Moen
Mr. Gile said he did not know of any per-
son who was opposed to the construction
of the Norcross bridge on the matter of
Il expense, and if there were any they are
not the men who have helped to build
the city or given parks or pay heavy
taxes. The men who stand in the com
mittee's path, blocking it, are different
4 class Of men. There are two things to be
!. considered in the questionable matter
of expense by the finance committee and
the public convenience by the street
committee. and he believed the latter
was of more moment than the first. He
said the best is the wisest, and declared
that to be the best economy in those
who deal in the city's finances.
On motion Of Alderman O'Connell, the
hearing was then closed, and the COM
mittee went into executive session. At
ter brief discussion, it was decided to
authorize a subcommittee consisting OF
Alderman Brannon and Councilmen In
man and O'Connell, to consult with the
n Webb Granite and Construction Com
pany, and get it's estimate on the cost
of construction of the Norcross 60O-foot
bridge. The committee will report to
President Potter, who will then call
meeting of the committee to decide upon