The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-13
GOING TO RUIN.
TOpeka's Handsome Melan
Bridge in Bad Shape.
City and County Quarrel About
the Repairs.
NOT A THING is DONE.
Meanwhile the Structure Must
Take Care of Itself.
Cement Walks Cracked and in
DeplOrable Condition.

A clash is imminent between the city
council and the county commissioners
for the time is here when the Kaw
river Melan arch bridge must be re-
paired.
The bridge through negligence and
utter lack of care on the part of the
officials whose duty it was to attend to
it is fast falling into a deplorable state.
The subject has been thoroughly dis
cussed by the streets and walks COM
mittee of the city council and it is
question in the minds of the members of
that committee whether or not the
duty of making repairs the bridge is
within their jurisdiction. The matter has
been referred to City Attorney Spencer
for an opinion, and although he has
gone over the matter with the commit
tee, he refused to express his opinion to
a reporter for the State Journal.
Il do not think it will be good policy
to express my opinion on the subject at
this time. he said.
Councilman w. F. Weber and rep
resentative of the State Journal made
a trip of inspection of the bridge. The
footWalks on either side of the wagon
passage way are in very bad condition.
In more than a dozen places the sur
face coating of cement is battered loose
or worn down 1t is cracked and crum-
bled and may be the cause of a damage
suit. In scores of places the cement is
cracked, the assures in some places ex-
tending a number of feet. The iron
steel work of the bridge is in an equally
bad condition. The bridge was built in
1897 and since that time the iron has
been allowed to rust. 1t was treated to
paint when first placed in position but
ever since that time has had no care.
The rust, where it has run over the ce-
ment, has stained it beyond repair ex-
cept by painting.
The steel standards for the support of
the electric lights are unsightly streaks
of rust.
forms for the pillars between which the
steel railing is supported across the
bridge was not as good a quality as
might have been used. At least the
ton of the weather, the wind and the
rain has resulted in washing it's facing
off, and it is only a question of time I'M
til the remainder is worn away. In
places the corners and edges are crack
ed or broken off.
1T is a sad state of affairs" said
Councilman Weber after the inspection.
4 hope to see something done soon.
If am rightly informed there has been
nothing expended in repairs on the
bridge since its completion
I'm my opinion a few dollars spent at
the proper time in a judicious manner
will result in a saving In the long run.
The bridge was built and completed hur-
ridly and the footwalk is not so substan-
tial as it should have been.
Undoubtedly something should be
done soon in the matter of repairs be-
fore it Is too late. 1t may be that by
allowing the matter to drag a great
deal more money will ba required to be
spent to put it in first class shape than
it would require now
1.-The question of where the RESPONSE
bility lies will have to be settled The
sooner the better. The bridge has had
no attention during the years of its
existence and it is appalling to think Of
the disregard in which it is placed"
I.~-fI rr1 1,,-sT
at cost of over $150,O0O and it looks
like a sin to see it going to rack and
ruin simply for the lack of few dollars
worth of care each year.
Il hope to see the legal advisors of the
city and county get together soon and
come to some decision in the matter"