New-York tribune., 1901-09-22
BRIDGE SAFE, REPORT SAYS
WILLIAM BARCLAY PARSONS PASSES
UPON FINDINGS OF PHlLblNs
EXAMINING EXPERTS.

william Barclay Parsons. eng1neer-in-chiei W
the Rapid Transit Commission. to whom Dis
,rfct Attorney Philbin has referred the repoi'
made by hie experts on the Brooklyn Diioee'
said YESTERDAY that there was no neeo ior any
nuhlie anxiety as the bridge perfectly safe.
The bridge" Mr. Parsons said. is periecus
eafe and there need not be any anxiety on 'ie
mart of the public-not the slightest The report
oS Messrs Duryea and Meyer is very Voiuihi-
nous and contains much intricate mathema'icai
calculation. I not prepared TO DISCUSS ~
now have looked il over. and, have sa1o'
fl declares that the bridge is perfectly safe.
Certain recommendations in the report, SAID
Mr. Parsons. show that by the expenditure %
q small amount OF money accidents like that OF
the summer may be avoided, ano that py spehu-
,ns larger amount the bridge VIII be very
greatly strengthened, that certain restric-
tions. such as the 40 foot distance limit, can
he done away with. But that. OF course is
matter for the Bridge Department, VINO nave
authority TO make any regulations they see HI.
Asked IL the report accuses the briose Depsi'
ment of neglect of duty or found the priose
suffering from the carelessness OF those ~
charge Mr.. Parsons reiterated his statement
that he had nothing to say and that he mao not
had time TO properly digest the report
Jobn l. Shea Commissioner of Bridges, is dis
peased with District Attorney Philbin for with
holding from the public the report OF Messrs'
Duryea and Maher. He said last night al MS
home No. 27s Jeferson-ave. Brooklyn to
Tribune reporter that Mr.. Philbins action led
him 10 think that the District Attorney was
Withholding the report for political purposes.
His stand appears TO me-" said Mr.. Shea, TO
be nothing more or less than an effort to make
a. political issue out of the recent accident on
the bridge He is seeking to fasten something
on the Democratic administration. but the alb
of he hem will
the people unless his experts come forward and
really show something wrong, and show Official
negligence in the management of the bridge
We are lending every assistance to Mr. Duryea
in his investigation, and have nothing TO con-
ceaI. The talk about possible action by the
grand jury is absurd. 1t is merely movement
in the effort to make capital against the Demo-
cratic administration. Charges might be better
brought against every man who has had any
thing 10 do with misinforming the public on the
condition Of structure which is as strong to-
day as II was the day when it was first thrown
open for use"
The announcement made by District Attorney
Philbin that the bridge is safe and that there
was no cause for any alarm will undoubtedly
set at rest the controversy to how big or how
much was or is the margin OF safety of the
bridge.
1T is a good thing to know" continued Mr..
Shea that the engineers which Mr.. Phllein
chose to look over the bridge found no alarming
defects in the bridge. OF course, do not wish
any one TO imagine for moment that l have
a doubt that there is serious defect in any
part of the structure, for the engineers OF the
bridge know their business thoroughly. and they
say that the bridge is safe Their opinion should
settle the question as 10 the stability Of the
bridge. but there will always be found many
doubling persons if public official or any one
else whose word has weight should not
say. but only intimate, that the bridge was not
safe. Such intimation does more injury than
probably any supposes 1t affects timid and
nervous persons. and it disturbs to certain
extent the peace Of the people. see that Mr..
Philbin has said that he has sent word to Mr..
Parsons TO make the report public to-day, but
] have not seen the report yet"
Whatever recommendations his engineers
mike / shall lay before the bridge engineers for
consideration. and whatever action the engineer
deems necessary will be taken If il is within my
power. The experts in Mr.. Philbin's employ
may investigate the condition Of the bridge until
coomsday ard they will find nothing for which
they can charge the Bridge Commissioner for
neglect Of duty