The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1907-09-05
Engineers Knew That Defect
Existed
AND HAD REPORTED 1T
"A WOrkingman, Survivor Of the Quebec
Bridge Disaster, Saw the Cracked
Plate in May, But Did Not
Report Il.

Quebec, Sept. 5.--The coroncr's jury
yesterday continued Its inquiry as to the
acuse Of the death Of the victims of
tine Quebec bridge disaster. MIR. Hoare,
chief engineer Of the Quebec bridge
company, occupied the witness box for
over two hours, being followed by Mr..
Mcclure, assistant engineer who re-
turned from Phoenixville few days
ago.
Alexander buimet, one Of the sur
viyors, stated that in May, while
cleaning around the outside pier, he had
noticed crack in one Of the lateral
plates from which the chords ran.
Asked why he hal not reported III
witness replied that he was not inspee-
tor, and that probably either Messrs.
Mcclure or Klinioeh knew about 1t.
Mr.. Hoare stated that he had help
ed IN the preparation Of the plans and
specifications Of the structure. He
had, moreover, prepared specifications
for the construction Of cautileyer,
which was approved by the government
before tender was called.
Mr.. Hoare said that on Tuesday,
August ~, Mr.. Mcclure reported to
him verbally and to Mr.. Cooper in
writing and BY telegram that on the
ninth lower chord at the west truss
A slight curvature inwards was noticed.
The moment any likely fault was dis
covered, immediate steps were taken to
repair II. They did not consider it n
serious thing but the witness visited
the bridge early next morning and went
over the whole structure with Mcclure
and Kinloch, government inspectors, as
well as the Phoenix conpany's engineer.
After the visit they discussed mat.
ters together The engineers on the
bridge had also checked all alignment
posts and levels and tested the deaec-
tion, finding everything in perfect con-
1ition.
After ascertaining the facts, he sent
Mcclure to New York TO describe the
condition Of that chord, as the teIe-
graph and telephone service were too
slow to discuss the matter in that
way, Mr.. Mcclure left on the morning
Of the 2Sth and interviewed Mr.. Cooper
the next morning and reached Phoenix
willie the next afternoon.
In reply to the coroner, witness said
he never considered the condition of
that chord serious enough to cause an
accident to the bridge, but considered
1t of sufficient Importance TO send Mr..
Mcclure to New York
Nnrunnn Mp(flura anofuaay xvou fnn
next witness. He stated that on the
evening of the 27th he mad reported
the curvature TO the chief engineer. He
had not considered it dangerous but
serious to certain extent. Upon Mr..
Hoare's instructions, he went to New
York on the 2Sth to consult Mr. Cooper.
Mr.. Cooper had not made any recon-
mendations or offered any suggestions
to him at all and did not tell him that
they should not put any more load on
the bridge. Witness went to Phoenix.
vile on Mr.. Hoare's instructions and
not ON Mr.. Cooper's. He arrived at Mr..
Deans office at Phoenixyille at 4i52
p. M, and the latter had already re.
ceived a report from his own resident
engineer by mail Mr.. Dean expressed
TO witness the opinion that the chord
bad always been in the same condition.
They discussed the matter between
themselves to limited extent, but Mr.,
Dean had not made any recommends
tions as to what should be done, and
did not tell witness not to put any more
material on the bridge.
Mr.. Kinloch, another engineer, stated
he had noticed something wrong on the
25th.