New-York tribune., 1902-08-13
IMR. LLNDENTHAL'S REPORT.
MOVING PLATFORM FEATURE THOUGHT
TO HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT
BY THE MAYOR

The serni-annual report Of Bridge Commissioner
Lindenthal for the first six months Of 1872 was
published IN THE City Record" yesterday. The
report is dated July J. and submitted 10 Mayor
Low shortly after that time Mr.. Lindenthal re-
fused make it public then, on the ground that
such act would be discourteous to the Mayor.
Il is said that the report contained the announce
rnent that the Bridge Commissioner intended in
stalling moving platform on the Brooklyn
Bridge, and this, 1t is supposed, was eliminated
by Mayor Low. who recently declared that the
1noving platform plan impracticable. Refer
ring TO the Manhattan Bridge, Mr.. Lindenthai says
that in view of the fact that wire cables have
proved to be a source OF great delay in construc-
ton of the Williamsburg Bridge, and also with
view TO greater economy, the plans for the Man.
haitian Bridge were revised that cables OF forged
eve bars of q high grade steel may bs used, IN
combination with most effective system Of stiffen-
ing. The report does not tell whether or not this
is the eye bar cable invented by Mr.. Lindenthal
himself. The Commissioner believes the Manhat-
tan Bridge will De the most important bridge be-
tween New-York and Brooklyn, as lit is intended
that the Manhattan approach on Canal-st shall
be on q line to the North River, and intersect all
transportation lines running north and south IN
Manhattan"
The report goes into detail on all work mechan-
ical and clerical that has been done and men
tions all changes in the department since the new
administration took office
Referring 10 the Brooklyn Bridge, the Commis-
sioner says that delays have been very few in the
lnOSt ClL6llt OAt 10 A4SdhS
in February and March He does not estimate the
number OF people carried across the bridge in one
day, but quotes figures OF the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit Company for day OF twenIy-four hours,
in which 2s5.O58 passengers were carried on the
trolley cars. This is an increase ne says, OF
uss4 passengers over the previous count made last
fall Referring plans for temporary relief Mr.
Lindenthal says:
A nurnbe- Of plans have been prepared providing
for Increased traftc facilities il Inc Manhattan
DlI u
expensive beng pan Tor Iour additional iooP
tracks the lower noor OF the terminal for the
Of the surface cars unul plans for permanent
Improvement can be carried out; but before sUch
tracks can &c oulit AZ VIII De IeceSsaLg ~ tC-
LailsVglJcning tracks o. bridge railway
across LeDtre-st and iengthen out the platforms IN
oulred 10 replace those which VIII have TO be re
moved when the new loops are built ConnlctlIls
interests and circumstances nave thus far delayed
These proposed temporary expedients have no
relation me permanent terminal improvements.
an TIJ1.Te peeos and should INCLUDE the other
bridges over the East River now Unoer construc-
ton
The Commissioner then refers TO the two plans
for relief. OF which was devised by the lIlree
experts under the McCarren acJ, and the other by
Chief Engineer Martin Of the Brooklyn Bridge
The Commissioner says further:
There is good reason for the belief that through
The Eap1c Iransit Board maj. adequate and per-
nlane4J solution VIII be found for the nrldge ter
Regarding the building Of the Williamsburg
Bridge, LII. Lindenthal says that he expects the
cables and suspenders Will be finished by Septem-
Der ! and that the contract for the steel part of
the brIdge viii be completed by June l. 1903 As
three months are required for the building OF the
roadWays ne expects that the bridge will be m
lshed by October l. 1913. $50 -
For Bricge No. Z. known as the BlackweIls Isl
ard Brfoge the Commission mentions the change
. the width, from 10 teet 10 ~ leet WIllCtl Ia7
already been made public. He adds mat the cnange
VIII IN way decrease the capacity or the prio6e,
Tor IL viii accommodate four trolley tracks, TWO
elevated railroad tracks one wide roadway and TWO
promenaoes.
In the months s158 708 7s has been expended by
me department which from an original appropTla-
uon Of SS97, s. still balance OF SZS414 o.