Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-02-27
SEVENTH STREET BRIDGE.
Government Engineer Says 1t is Built
in a Satisfactory Manner.
CONFORMS TO APPROVED PLANS
Changes Made are a Benefit
to Navigation.
BUT OTHER MATTERS ARE UNSETTLED

Seventh street bridge is satisfactory
to the United States Engineer for this
district. This fact which is one OF the
few favorable to the Bridge which have
been announced In the history of the
structure, was communicated to the
Levy Court Tuesday in The follow
ing letter:
Engineer Office, o. s. Army, S15 Wither-
spoon Building, Philadelphia, Pa, Feb
ruary goth, 1a02.'-Mr. Winfield Quigley, G.
p, Wilmington, Del. Dear Sir; Refer
ring to your communication dated January
2lst, with reference TO the bridge across
Brandywine River at Seventh street and
Moylan avenue, Wilmington, recently con
structed under authority of the War Depart
ment, have to inform YOU that the super
structure of the bridge as built conforms in
a general way to the approved plans
In the superstructure and the Tenders the
scheme az to arrangement and location has
been followed, but some changes have been
made in dimensions resulting in consid-
cradle increase in the free waterway over
that as originally planned.
The changes made are rather a benefit to
navigation through and under the bridge
ana with these exceptions the bridge has
been built in accordance with the approved
plans; The work has been satisfactorily
completed. Very respectfully,
James A. Smith,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers.
The letter was received and filed. It
is to be observed that the letter does
not go to the merits of the controversy
between Patrick Fahey, contractor for
the bridge, and the Levy Court. It
does, indeed, draw attention to altera
tions in the plans.
When President Willis called for
reports at Tuesdays meeting, Mr..
Chandler of the bridge committee said
that he had asked Mr.. Fahey for n
statement of his claim on account of
Seventh street bridge, but had received
no answer. Monday, however, Mr..
Fahey had appeared and talked the
matter over. According to Mr. Chandler
the contractor said there was no hurry
In regard to payment and was little
more reasonable than when, before the
court, he made positive stand about
settlement. Now he seemed to be more
inclined to compromise
Mr. Chandler declared that the CON
tractor gave members of the court to
understand that the bridge had been
jpen to the public ever since the court
visited it, several weeks ago, but Mr..
Chandler and Mr.. Elliott went down
there Monday and were informed that
IT had been turned off awhile after
they left and had been kept turned off.
President Willis suggested that there
was no use for the bridge tender and
Mr. Chandler added that there had NOT
been any use for him for three months.
Mr.. Chandler thought that the CON
tract specified that if the bridge was
not completed by April, 1901, the court
might take possession, and he re-
marked that the county virtually owns
the bridge.
Mr.. Armstrong did not think Mr..
tahey should be held responsible for
pianks that might be knocked off by
boats.
Mr.. Chandler said that the ice has
Knocked off some planks and the caps
from some of tho piling, which the
contractor would need to fix.
some damage was done to Eleventh
street bridge piers by the ice, and MIR. \
Chandler reported arranging for re-
pairs.
Mr.. Megginson suggested that the
court should put the Third street
bridge watch box on the bridge. An
stead OF on the approach to the bridge.
for in bad weather like that which has
existed recently, it would be a great
protection to the bridgetender.
The court decided to exempt st.
Michael's Day Nursery and Hospital
for Babies, and the Sunday Breakfast
Association from taxation.
the bill of the Arrowsmith Electric
Co. for work mt the Court House,
amounting to about So, 600, is to he
considered by the court in COMMITTEES
of the whole at some convenient time.
Among the bills passed, an item. Of
STA OF the Charles M. Smith Go, for
printing, the February term trial list
attracted attention. Mr.. Chandler said
the arrangement had been made before
the reorganized court took charge.
George ". Duncan has claim for
about QUO loads of earth for Silver Run
road, whereas Commissioner Armstrong
declares that figures show that ONLY
LIB loads were delivered. The court |
wants 10 md out what is the correct |
situation.
Comptroller Kelley presented the hill
OF the Delaware Farm and Home' for
$54. go for printing a tax notice of
Collector George Nj. Casey of Brandy
wine hundred. 1t did not bear Mr..
Casey's approval, but with it was an |
affidavit from j. Harry Mclaughlin |
that he had received the orders from
Mr.. Casey for the advertisements MIR. |
Hutchinson, who said he was editor OF |
the paper, declared that the bill was |
eorrect. The court decided to have |
Mr.. Casey. appear and give his side of |
It. Commissioner Megginson remarked |
that there had been trouble before
with the Delaware Farm and Home |
Mr.. Hutchinson disputed this state
iment, but Mr.. Megginson acted as if
he knew his ground.
Humors feed on hnmors-the sooner Won got