New-York tribune., 1902-02-03
ART IN BRIDGE WORK.
PLANS OF COMMISSIONER LINDENTHAL
TO ADD TO ATTRACTIVENESS OF
THE NEW BRIDGES.

s,onsr Of Bridges said the difficulty was that
most engineers have no aesthetic taste They
have not received an education at the universi-
-ies in architectural designing and most archi-
+ects DO not know enough about bridge con-
s,r,,ction at least. Of steel bridges and Of the
more intricate designs Of more enlarged struct-
rres TO permit them to suggest beautiful forms
u1thout violating scientific principles affecting
strength and economy But some good results
night 70 he produced If designing engineers
will consult the architect during the conception
Of the design and not after the design is finished.
AT present the engineer is likely to think that
he fully meets architectural considerations when
he takes his finished design to an architect, who
then proceeds 10 put on cast iron ornaments and
galvanized iron rornces and similar claptrap
architecture Of a specious kind. We have some
beautiful examples of fine bridge architecture
not only in Europe but in this country, although
in this country they are very few. An example
Of fine steel arch construction is the ST. Louis
steel arch bridge. designed by Engineer Captain
Eads. who was a man of cultivated taste, ana
knew how 10 give expression to IT in Inc
structure which bears his name.
None Of the suspension bridges in TINS coun-
try can compare in beauty with the suspension
bridge on the Danube at Budapest No one can
behold that exceedingly fine specimen or orloee
architecture without sense of admiration anu
f6aDKfUlneSS
gineer Of the name of Clark. who had consulted
Vienna architects when he was preparing the
design for the bridge in Paris. furnished me
exsur1e Of architecture Of the modern steel
cantflever type. the bridge known as the Mira
beau Bridge. over the Seine.
RARELY OFFENDED BY UGLINEss.
Resides there are innumerahl arch bridges.
russ bridges and suspension bridges all over
Europe which. esthetically considered. are OF
the first importance. and il is rarely that the
heholder Of any Of those structures is offended
bv their ugliness such as he has TO experience
IN this country in viewing most Of our large
structures.
The explanation must be sought in the more
unitarian character Of our great bridge struct-
,,res. particularly railroad bridges. and the
s-ea+ haste with which designs for the same
are usually prepared. But there are already
indications Of better things coming in this direc-
ton also in this country.
Asked what the prospects were regarding the
sttrac7i~eness Of the new bridges. Mr.. Linden
thai said:
a new bridge is being built and as its plans
were completed before my term Of office can
not change them. 1t Is known as the New East
River Bridge. and leads from Delancey-st- TO
Williamsburg. I propose to have the anchor
ages treated more artistically above the cornice
a more appropriate and pleasing entrance TO
the structure looking from the approaches. I
shall also consult an architect TO the form
Of the housings on the top of the steel tower.
The bridge approach the New-York side
consists Of heavy steel beams resting on steel
columns leaving an open space underneath.
This space propose 10 utilize for market pur-
poses. as the bridge approach is in a poor quar-
Ter Of the city, where q great deal of daily mar
leting is done in the open air the streets.
congesting them and littering them with rub
bish. # succeed IN carrying out my idea these
markets would be under the bridge, having the
solid bridge approach as a roof. and proper
regulations could be enforced TO cleanliness
OF course, no couabustibes or other like danger
Gus articles would be allowed to be stored un-
der the bridge approaches.
There are two other bridges building over the
. East River. One is near the navy yard, and
for that bridge the contract has been let only
for one tower foundation. The right of way IS
being bought on the Brooklyn side. The plans
for this bridge now under revision, with a
view Of improving the architectural appearance
Of the bridge which will also be suspension
bridge. When completed this will make three
large Suspension bridges within one mile over
the East River.
The fourth bridge will cross the East River
between Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth SITS. and will
be a cantilever structure, with resting piers on
Blackwells Island. The plans for this bridge
likewise under revision. with a view Of max
ing Il beautiful. Another bridge under con-
struction IS at hundred and forty ffth-st.
over the Harlem River. 1t Will be of the draw
bridge pattern and similar in appearance TO the
bridge at e-hundred-and- fifty -hfth-st-. over
the Harlem River. The plans have been pre-
pared by Professor W. H Burr, of Columbia
University
In regard IN the naming Of the new bridges
1t OF interest to say that three names for each
bridge were submitted TO Bridge Commissioner
LindenthaI by q committee OF the American
Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, con-
slsting Of Colonel Henry w. Sackett. Edward
Haganan Hall and F. W. Ralsey. From this
list Commissioner Lndenthal chose the names
Navy Yard" Williamsburg and Ravens
wood"
Andrew H. Green, president OF the American
Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, said
ne regarded Mr. Lndenthal as one of the most
competent men in his line, and he thought the
city was very fortunate in obtaining his ser
wees He agreed with the commissioner OF
Bridges in his view OF making bridges beautiful
When Mr.. Green originated the Washington
Bridge the intention was by law to build a sus-
pension bridge but, desiring TO modify design
which not tasteful, he had II located on the
ground against the opposition of the Mayor and
city authorities The commission appointed 20
buld the bridge had a sensitive regard for what
vas attractive and beautiful Mr.. Green was
q the opinion that the Harlem River should
have been tunnelled instead of bridged, the
bridges interrupt traffic On the road and river.
John De Witt Warner. president Of the Mu-
aelpal Art Commission and OF the Municipal
Art Society Of New York, said regarding the
section Of the new charter requiring the COM
mission 10 pass upon bridges costing more than
AlVOO0O0 that he did not assume that when
ne contract had already been closed before
January it would be affected by the law which
Went into effect that day, unless special
Reservation had been made and he knew of
none such. The section OF the new charter said
the commission should act and it's approval
should be required for bridges. which should