New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
TO LNCREASEB EBRLDGETRAFFIC
MARTIN SAYS THAT FOUR ADDITIONAL
TRAINS WILL PROBABLY
BE PUT ON.

Confusion still reigned in the Department of
Bridges yesterday. Commissioner Shea endeav-
ored in vain to harmonic the contradictory
statements of Engineers Probasco and Martin
the former saying the heat caused the break, the
latter that heat had nothing to do with the
accident, but that ii resulted from defects in
suspender rods Mr.. Shea continued to
phasize his belief that the bridge in per-
feet condition, that it did not need painting that
it had been adequately investigated, and that
1t had never been overloaded.
Deputy Bridge Commissioner York talked in
much the same strain. He said:
The bridge is safe now always was. and ever
will be. You pile cars upon it as high as you
can get them, and make a song string OF 5heIn en-,
structure will not be in the least affected by It
This talk danger is all rot. It's foolish There
never was the least danger and there never will
be The bridge can stand more tnan an can ever pc
sensationai Stiffness no matter who utters It,
Everything is now moving along IN the normal eidna
scares with foundation are not foisted upon the
public.
Mr.. York said he did not know what was
being done toward an inspection OF the prldge'
as that was being handled by the bridge officials
in Brooklyn. He added, however, that ne had
no doubt that a thorough investigation of the
bridge would be made by the proper persons,
and that a report would soon be issued which
would dissipate all fears on the part of the pub
lie in regard to the bridge.
Chief Engineer Martin said yesterday that the
full bridge train service of four car trains un-
der fifty-two second headway would not only
be resumed but would probably be increased.
He expected that four additional trains, which,
he thought, the bridge could easily carry,
would be put on.
Mr.. Martin. hearing of the report that the
break discovered Wednesday had been caused
by crumbling of the masonry of the north
tower the Manhattan side, said:
There is no truth in it, There is a steel saddle
there sixteen feet long and weighing ten tons; and
that has not sunk bit. few few days rays ag9 had 10
do with crumbling masonry.
Sixteen trains were run over the bridge yes
terday, instead of the usual eighteen trains an
hour. There were two hundred and thirtyfive
trolley of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Com
pany and forty-fve of the Coney Island and
Brooklyn Railroad Company. The bridge trains
were said to be run under a headway of sixty
five seconds
Superintendent Wheatley of the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company. said yesterday that if
any motorman violated the rule which required
ing the bridge, he would accept excuses, but
would at once discharge the motorman.
BroC ilynites to fear the bridge, notwith-
standing the official assertions that the structure
is perfectly safe. Traffic it still continues
light in proportion TO the usual volume There
was no crush yesterday morning and seats were
easy secure. The bridge promenade was well
but many regular bridge patrons still
continue to use the ferries to get to Manhattan.
In anticipation of the usual Coney Island rush
yesterday afternoon, Police Inspector Cross had
large number of reserves duty at the
bridge There appeared to be need of their
presence, however Thousands went by way OF
the ferries. Secretary Hyatt. of the Union Ferry
Company, which owns the Catharine- ST. Fulton
St, Wall-st. and Hamilton-ave. ferries, among
others. said that before the break these lines
carried about hundred thousand persons
day. Now, he said, they carried about one hun
dred and seventy-fve thousand.