The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-15
Observation-Disclosures CONNER
cial Bodies Want Free Bridge
Repaired at Once.
DEPARTMENT. ORDER STANDS
Fire Engines Not to Cross Until
Engineers Declare Struc-
ture is Safe.

M Contrary to the views of the James
River Bridge Commission, which re-
jected Monday evening the offer of the
Passenger and Power Company to give
$500 for repairing the Free Bridge,
eight spans Of which are In dangerous
condition, the joint committee on bridge
facilities from the Richmond Chamber
OF Commerce and the Business Mems
Association from Manchester and
Chesterfield county at meeting yes
terday afternoon expressed itself as
heartily In favor of the offer.
The following resolution, setting
forth the position of the joint COM
mittee, was adopted:
s.yVhcrens, 1t has come to the nttcn-
ton of the Joint committee ON bridge
facilities from the Richmond Chamber
of Commerce and the Business Mems
Association from Manchester and Chess
sterficld county that the condition of
The Free Bridge Is reported unsafe, and
considerable apprehension and un-
casincss have resulted from this con-
dttion; md this committee having re-
ccived knowledge that the cOnimis-
nioncrs have under andviscmcnt II prop
$osition to have the bridge repaired
pnrt of the expense being borne by tho
receivers OF the Passenger and Power
Company,
Joint committee earnestly recommend
S TINT the commissioners act In concert
with the receivers of the Passenger
nnd Power Company, to the end that
these repairs be done immediately"
Engines Must Have Clean Dill.
Regarding the plan for temporary
repairs. Chief Shaw, of the Richmond
Fire Department, said yesterday that
he would not recall the order forbid
ding fire engines TO cross over to Man.
chester until the bridge was examined
Eineers who reported it weak.
In the meantime preparations are
being made by the Southern Railway
under the direction Of Chief Shaw, for
transporting the engines across the
z railway company is having prepared a
flat car, which will be used especially
for, them. On each side OF the river
inclined planes are being constructed
One of the NArst engines will be. de-
tailed to hap s.the .tr in case OF an
Provided everything worked smooth
" in a case of fire across the river
the loss of time in transporting the
horses and equipment by rail would
be greater than the average person
you'd imagine. For Instance said
large fire on Hull Street, we could
easily have half the Richmond equip
ment there and working, with a good
bridge to cross on, before one engine
could be loaded and started across the
river by rail
Board Approprintes $1,000.
AT the meeting of the Board of Aldermen
las, night, Mr.. Reuben Burton. of the James
River Free Bridge Commission, secured the
Il passage under a suspension of the rules o
an appropriation OF $1,000 for immedat t.
repairs TO the Free Bridge in order to KEEP
that thoroughfare open for traffic. The
appropriation passed unanimously, and vii
4 be taken M at special meeting of the
Common Council Tomorrow night. The
Is amount Was reduced TO $1,000 as not more
than that sum can be appropriated under {
a suspension of rules.
Later In the meeting a special message
from the Mayor was presented calling at
tention to the condition of he Free Bridge
y md quoting former message In which hi
advocated the eventual construction by thu
two cities OF bridge of suffcien
7 width to accommodate the traffic, Thu
3 message was received and fied.
The Board Of Aldermen concurred Will
the Common Council In n resolution provd
s ing for the appointment of a special com
rnittee OF two Aldermen and three Council
men, with he presidents of the tw
sfEbranches. 10 confer with a similar commit
4 TO the repairing or replacing of the Ere
Bridge.
In Manchester. the Board of Alderme
II last night referred TO the Finance Com
Ynittee for inmediate report 9 resolution
aappropriating sl,5oo for repairs to the FIRE
& Bridge, the city of Richmond to provide
~ like amount. atgt4i