The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-18
PUBLIC DEMANDS
SAFETY ON BRIDGE
Citizens Discuss Mass Meeting
to Denol,ncc Condition Of
Structure.
PUTTING ii. UP 10 D I COUNCIL i, |.
Failure to Act Regarded as Evi-
dcnce That Outsiders Must
Take Hold.

Business men, along with the trou>
sands OF people who cross he Free
Bridge daily denounced yesterday the
failure of City Council to promptly and
adequately provide for the safety OF
that structure. Though admitting that
Fno efforts whatever might have been
made heretofore except for the agi-
tation by the newspapers. they agree
that the constant publication Of con-
ditions have alarmed the public to
an unusualidegree, one effect OF which,
1T is claimed, is to be found in the de-
creased amount OF travel between Rich
mond and Manchester.
Con,mends the Newspapers.
IN this matter, however. The pres.
has performed public service said
a citizen yesterday .'and 1t must not
be criticized for creating alarm. 1t
would be far better to divert traffic by
exposing the dangerous structure than
to keep silent and permit the bridge
to collapse some day and slaughter
men. women and children.
Some official body Is negligent, and
II these dilatory tactics continue the
people. ought to hold mass meeting
and condemn the authorities who have
failed to act.''
Attention was first called to the
wobbling nature OF the bridge by The
ago. when the Mayor sent an emerg-
ency message to the Council urging
immediate repairs. The matter went
to the James River Bridge Commits
sion. only to come forth again when
citizens complained violently OF the
failure to order repairs Subsequent
~, the engineers reported that under
certain conditions the spans would fall.
Later, as the public Is we'll aware. the
Fire Department issued orders that
engines would not be sent to Man
chester unless transported by one OF
the railroad companies.
Council Ignores Call.
Refusing to accept an offer from the
Passenger and Power Company, the
commission decided to appropriate
about $4,000 from its treasury, and
then urged the City Councils OF Rich-
mond ana Manchester to appropriate
$500 each. The Board OF Aldermen
of this city passed an ordinance pro-
vidng for $1,000. the resolution in the
Manchester Board having been re-
ferred to the Finance Committee. to
take its slow and usual course. Be-
cause OF the Importance OF the matter.
Thursday night, but as explained in
this newspaper yesterday, there was no
quorum, members refusing apparently
to heed the demand. 1t was intimated
very strongly last night that IL there
is no quorum next Monday night a
mass meeting will be called. at which
resolutions will be introduced denounc-
ing the delay.
According to the engineers. the sum
of $4,000 will save the bridge from
going down. for time, at least, though
the general opinion is that new
structure Is absolutely needed. But
what has aroused most indignation is
the fact that there is an absolute dis
regard for human life. the Council not
showing sufficient interest to protect
those citizens who elected it to Office.
May Call Mass Meeting.
There is no question about the fear
on the part OF the public. The sug-
gestion that in the event OF a disaster
commissioners and Councilrnen would
be subject to Indictment by the grand
jury on a. charge of manslaughter or
murder In the second degree. has been
taken up by the people bent upon CALI
ing a mass meeting. One man said
yesterday that the resolutions should
call for the resignation OF every off,
cial through whose failure the bridge
was allowed to become menace tn
human life.
Engineer 1saacs announced yestcr-
Gay mat repair bids would be received
by the commission on July 21st.