New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-13
LESSONS IN BRIDGE DESIGNING.

British bridge builders were much disturbed
few years ago by the award Of n contract for
a structure over the Atbara tributary Of the
Nile. 10 American company. Aside from
the political reasons which might have dictated
the bestOwal OF this bit Of patronage upon the
country within whose sphere Of influence"
Egypt lies, It taken for granted that the
facilities for performing that class of work
were as good in England and Scotland as In
other countries. II not distinctly superior The
discovery. or at least the official suggestion
that such was not the case was both surprising
and unpleasant On this account more than or
binary interest attaches To an international
competition for similar contracts which was
recently closed.
4 commission appointed by the Minister OF
Public Works in Egypt asked for tenders for
three bridges TO be erected near Cairo. Two
short ones are to reach from that city TO the
island of Rhoda. and one. a third of mile
long is 10 cross the main channel of the Nile
between the island and the west bank Of the
river. and thus afford improved communication
by trolley between the Egyptian capital and
the Pyramids Thirteen firms and companies
made proposals. several of them presenting
more than one design. Among the competitors
were houses we'll known on the continent Of
Europe, and IL is asserted that or more
OF their bids really emanated from this side Of
the Atlantic Under all the circumstances, the
preference shown by the commission for the
plans Of Arro * Co., of Glasgow. Is naturally
gratifying to British pride. Though the amount
OF money which will be paid for the bridges Is
comparatively small-nOt far from 81 100000
the award in question will help 10 restore the
industrial prestige OF the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless. the opinion is expressed by a
leading technical periodical in London En-
cheering" that the success of the Glasgow bid
ders is really a triumph of American ideas
The ability of manufacturers in the United
States 10 produce locomotives, bridges and a
number Of other things more cheaply and
quickly than foreign rivals has been largely
due 10 the adoption of certain standard sizes
both for finished articles and for material that
would enter into the construction of the latter
In the present Instance there is apparently no
occasion for haste, but economy is always de-
srable and Arrol & Co. have been able TO
underbid nearly all OF their rivals because
Engineering says, they have followed course
which is common in this country. They have
taken int their employ number of experts
who arc thoroughly familiar with details which
will facilitate manufacture, and these men have
been employed 10 draft the designs submitted
TO the Cairo commission. Had the Glasgow
firm been willing 10 work from plans prepared
by outside engineers, it would have found the
work much more expensive, yet without pro-
ducing a better bridge. There is q classic nrov-
erb relative to the proprlety OF learning from
ones enemy. The doctrine is as sound I'm bust
ness as I'm war. IL such a policy involves mo-
mentary humiliation, II is often attended with
happy results. Moreover. IL exhibits COM
mendably progressive spirit.
As the Cairo bridges are intended primarily
for railway service, established precedent viii
be followed in the use OF steel for their con.
struction. Economy is TO be promoted further
by the avoidance Of decoration I'm the design
Though they will he i'm no sense unsightIy, the
utmost architectural simplicity has been sought
In drawing the plans for them. In this respect
they VIII furnish contrast to the costly and