The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-09
WHOSE FAULTW ASST
Nobody Seems Willing to Accept Re
sponsibility for Yesterdays
Bridge Collapse.
City Officials Have Been Inspecting
Viaducts, but Shift the
Blame.

City Engineer Andrew Rinker, on behalf
of the city, ,disclaims any share in the
responsibility for the collapse of the
Bridge square approach to the steel arch
bridge yesterday. This morning MT.
Rinker said that the bridge, which is an
iron girder structure, was, built by the
Great Northern railway In 1890. 1t was
then partly paved with cedar block and
partly planked. Afterward the grade of
the roadway was raised so as to carry
off the water which collected on the paw
ing and had a tendency to injure the
iron work below. Iron buckle plates were
put in to hold the concrete and other
filling material. The wooden paving was
replaced by brick. All this greatly in
creased the load on the bridge, but every
thing done was done by the Great North
ern Railway company and passed upon
Ky Max Toltz, the chief engineer of the
road
THE city has had nothing to do with
the bridge, as far as I can learn, said
Mr.. Rinker, land takes the position that
it is the duty of the Great Northern rail
way to keep it in repair and provide for
it's safety.
1t was a very fortunate accident UNI
der the circumstances, for it insures that
the remainder of the crossing will be
made absolutely safe. I notice that the
sections beyond the one which has fallen
girders and are therefore much stronger.
1 understand that the Great Northern
will provide temporary arrangements for
the benefit Of the street railway company
and will then rebuild the bridge with
heavier girders.
''These bridges receive q usage which
is terrific. Not only does the smoke from
the locomotives corrode, the iron. but
water, at least in years past before the
grade was raised, must have done con-
siderable damage. The load Of concrete
and paving is oh course heavy. while the
traffic. including the trolley cars, is very
trying. And then, there is the vibration
from the innumerable trains to be taken
into consideration"
Some City Responsibility.
Nevertheless, many are inclined to the
opinion that the city cannot escape a
share in the blame. The accident is a
lost. Under certain circumstances hun
dred or more persons might have been
killed and injured.
The city inspects buildings, both new
and old; inspects elevators several times
a year; inspects wires, guarantees against
contagious diseases and in various ways
| looks after the public safety. The natur-
al conclusion reached by many who discuss
the accident is that if the city does not
| inspect bridges over railway crossings, 1t
| should do so, even If the duty of making
| repairs rests with the railways. Moreover,
| it appears that the city spent not later
! than 1901, several thousands of dollars in
repairing bridges over railways.
Terminal Division Superintendent T. G.
| Clarity Of the Great Northern is reported
as saying that he has feared for some time
that the bridge was overtaxed. City En-
| gineer Rinker, who has been in office
only five months, declares that no such
| information has reached him. Mr.. Clarity
| wants all the blame thrown on the city
engineer who permitted such a heavy load
of cement and brick paving to be placed
on a bridge constructed for a much
! lighter load. In this connection it is, how
ever, pertinent to add that the Great
Northern at the time the changes were
made put in some additional braces, thus
recognizing the necessity of precautions.