New-York tribune., 1901-07-30
EDMIN DURYEA JR. CHOSEN
NE WILL INVESTIGATE THE BRIDGE
FOR PHILBIN
,,rs SELECTION APPROVED BY ENGINEERS
-sHEAs BIG PAINT BILLS FOR PAINTING
THAT MARTIN SAYS WAS NOT DONE.

ETS SELECIlON HfFrNoNED BY ENGINEERS
-sHEAs BIG PAINT BILLS FOR PAINTING
THAT MARTIN SAYS WAS NOT DONE.
Edwin Duryea, jr., of No. 166 Cumberand-st
p-ooklyn. is the engineer whom District Attorney
[hutin has appointed examine the Brooklyn
rrage MI Phibin made the announcement yes
,erday When Commissioner Shea told of the
supointment Of Mr.. Duryea. he said:
NJ Duryea born in Cragville, Orange
County thirty-nine years ago. and was graduated
from Cornell In 1888. He was assistant engineer
sor various bridges over the Ohio Mississippi and
Missouri rivers. Then he engineer of bridges
and buildings for the Chicago and West Michigan
.,d the Detroit, Lansing and Northern railroads.
Coming East. Mr.. Duryea spent several years on
,be Croton aqueduct DAM Then for four and a
,olf wears he worked the New East River Bridge,
having charge of the Brooklyn end of the work.
Ne has also been engaged the rapid transit tun-
mel.
Nr Duryea IS TO have assistant In his work
., the Brooklyn bridge. This has already
been chosen by him. but the selection has not yet
bsen ratified by District Attorney Philbin. The
snnointnent of Mr.. Duryea was made last Satur-
dav and ne Immediately began his work by max
tDg a superficial examination Of the north roadway
Ne worked for a while Sunday, and was busy
all day yesterday
when seen by a Tribune reporter last night Mr.
puryea said:
our inspection will be a most thorough one al
t131fi t95 bolt 1t will occupy at least a month six
SesAs ae the Deductions Of two men usually
accurate and valuable than those OF only one:
eo over every part Of the structure and make sure
q lis exact condition.
Asked as TO what deduction he had drawn from
what he had already seen Mr.. Duryea answered:
MR. DURYEA AT WORK.
SO aP ao%ever eT have found f that the brdge
IS IN the same general condition as it was before
hrrIE & q
bas fs been fully repaired. 50 far have found moth
ing alarming ID t9 tba trss n. WORK hinder the
roadways and also the masonry OF the towers:
NaInTay: y,:erieation st1t from day 20 day as must
srsi II report TO District Attorney Philbin.
This department welcomes any investigation
.bich the District Attorney any else wishes
% make The bridge is all right, as any one will
and out by examining H.
"yyiu YOU not make investigation of the
structure yourself. 10 learn If there more weak
places?" asked
.,Our mechanics are examining the bridge every
day ., Was the answer IT'S all right 1t is safe
as il ever was
II Is understood that Mr.. Duryea's appointment
was made as result OF several conferences which
Mr. Philbin had with prominent engineers OF this
c,-,, among whom was William Barclay Parsons.
Mr. Duryea has been specially instructed to as
certain whether or not the bridge has deteriorated
for lack of proper inspection and supervision on
the part Of the Bridge Department, and whether
Engineers who heard Of MI Duryea's appoint
ment commented upon it favorably. 1t is their
opinion that Mr Duryea is well fitted for his work.
PRoBAsCo CHEERS UP.
Samuel r. Probasco assistant engineer Of the
Brooklyn Bridge. who has become widely known
because OF his statement that the rent in the
bridge steel work was caused by the heat, was
found in a good natured mood yesterday 1t was
said at his Office that he smiled yesterday for the
first time since the breaks in the bridge were dis
covered. last Wednesday. Because Of the heat Of
Yesterday he was asked If he did not fear another
Mr. Probasco laughed and mopped his face if
fearing that the might affect him a he said
il did the bridge. he denied the story that new
truss work would be put in TO strengthen the span
between the towers.
Asked if there would be any change In inspect
ing the bridge. Mr.. Probasco replied:
None whatever. The present method has an
sWered very wei for eighteen years The bridge
mistaken idea about it. good any think that a
in a book. 1t would be almost i'm
possible 10 examine every nut and screw every
and understand it thoroughly. and they can tell
the moment that anything is wrong.
Cars were run the bridge yesterday under
the old schedule, but the traffic still continued
light, because many persons took the ferries.
THE DISTANCE RULE OBSERVED.
Because Of an order issued by the Brooklyn
Rapid Transit Company. that motornen would be
violations Of the lO2 foot limit rule.
this space maintained between the trolley cars
on the main span.
Since the attention Of the public has been called
70 the rust which IS yisibly eating its way into
the steel Of the bridge at hundred or more vul-
nerab be points, the dig paint bills with which Mr..
Shea has charged the city in his administration
have awakened widespread comm ent. Here are
the bills:
RVS s5'ooe 80
4h's Isl %
1850 4'o<s oS
Total 20 January J. 9o1................ s9,s76 50
This plump sum of nearly $1,000 in contrast with
statement of c c. Martin, chief engineer of the
bridge that the bridge painted last four years
ago is regarded interesting.
Lack money surely cannot be the excuse
which Mr.. Shea offer II the District Attorney
finds that the bridge has been neglected. Follow
ing is part of Mr.. Sheas bridge report for last
year:
as'esls Sfo''oo- ~
Expenditares-
Salaries Observation-Disclosures S25osSS %
Paint Observation-Disclosures. 4,529 GO
lrol and dsteel-..-----...-....---. l,Si5o 'S -.
The expenditures for salaries will constitute a
Still larger proportion Of the total expenses TINS
year because Of the many increases In salaries
which Mr.. Shea has recently made In his dcpart-
iaent.