New-York tribune., 1908-12-12
BRIDGE EXPERT HIRED
FOR H4NH4TT4N span.
Rolph ModjcsLi, Rebuildcr Of The
Quebec Bridge, Coming Here.

Ralph Modjoski. Of Chicago. the engineer IN
be-g n tre reiesigning and reconstruction OF ihe
-rehec cantilcver bridge which collapsed Win sFea'
lss of life on August 20 1907, because or fauE oe
signing has been retained by the BOARD OF g.
sud Apportiornent review all Of the plans OF me
new Manhattan Bridge, whose towers Aisl c4OieS
have fl.st been completed
commissioner Stevenson said yesterday that MI
SsodjoskI would be here on Monday and "oulo nay
absolute freedom in going over the plans for the
new bridge.
L is becoming more and more apparent tnat
Afavor Mcclellan is determined 10 get on to soma
ground at early day IN connection WIN ule
bridges The Gueensboro Bridge revelations oy
The Tribune are g shock to the Mcclellan admin
fstration II was the Mayors distrust Of the aollty
Of Commissioner George E Best at the close Of ms
f7rsr term as Mayor that led him 10 appoint James
W stevenson in his place. Until within compare
lively recent time the Bridge Department has been
immune from criticism. or practically So Not
until The Tribune told Of the disEracefu ounder OF
The artnent changing the plans OF the queens
l,oro Bridge in such q way 10 decrease its eff
cheney one-half did it dawn on Mayor Mcclellan
or the Controller that fearful and costly mistake
had been made.
II is believed around the City Hall that within
short time the Mayor will place the blame where
re thinks it belongs. Probably the greater part OF
Il viii be laid the door Of O. F. Nichols the
former chief engineer of the Bridge Department
now doad. Ex-Commissicner Best probably will be
charged "a th part of the responsibility As Mr..
EeSt never pretended 40 be anything pub d AatA-
many district sub-leader. wholly dependent on the
engineers in his office for technical guidance, the
blame for the colossal blunder VIII be placed
the dead engineer
Mavor Mcclellan as chairman OF the Board of
Estimate and Apportionment replied yesterday to
flfe letter Of Homer Folks, Of the City Club, IN
which he asked the Mayor TO order an investigation
of the Manhattan Bridge. The Mayor says in ms
letter
ln relation 10 your request that an examination
be made Of The plans of Manhattan BTlOSe. the
Commissioner Of Bridges informs Ine 6oaIo, To-, OF
Estimate and Apportionment that IN order 10 ailay
unrest he intends TO retain n an ndeP9noebRs pen sbe
expert engineer TO examine into me design ana 'ie
method Of construction OF the bFlose-
Gu your letter TO the board you state thst: 49,,
sn,HIov:nen @ 3slGai of Boiler Hodge and William II.
f7lIrr 70 make an investigation OF the oOeehSooIo
Ths is not correct. The experts were retained
IN June. 1903, by the Bridge Department. MessrS-
Boiler and Hodge being selected on me recon-, com
Sllendatiou Of the Controller Ihese engll,e % os
made their reports. which are now IN tle na.us %
the members OF the Board Of Estimate and Appor-
rionment. and in your hands A., 49,, C,o,,-
is pertinent 70 add that at the time IRe 6e1
missioner Of BrGges I apR9n1eI II TS3TTr he already
had under way investigation Of the design & OF
re sensbOT i Brgge Pg is Teferred to in
Professor RUrr's report, as fo4oWs'
on taking Up these duties found that part IT
Bridges had some time been engaged, S, ,r on q
Island -lCueensboro) Bridge" -,
The chairman OF this board IS lnIoIIleo . p4 4oig 9
Department Of Bridges that this lT1vestigauoI "a %
lave been completed IN pTactcalIy Iil7 SdIIe 'l0
Grrz- rfFg~0 of
Fefe-ring 70 the Manhattan Bridge. before any
contracts for construction Of any part OF tle oIlos
"a stresses which would occur in every individual
member made Further, every qeI9lt IN u ne
ll7 contra that theTe never mas eNIstso !y a
Lad 70 he supported by the bridge, and the re
sultinz stresses. would Ea- The contractors nave
9Heensboro T5ridze to design any portion Of the
work in order 70 meet any secne s9 ver made
s7d checked F,v expert bridge engineers IN the EN-
= -g,, 50. HaFp a
= The preface Of our letter YOU state. relative to
'e e rnoTiS reveai the fact that the bridge IS
10 n5s,:t SC +ralie1- tracks unless very con
siderable tightening IF the structure as its5 pLlt
81 ~ tbe Contract have 1,een greatly exceeded
II has been made public by the Department of
~ Rldses i.e I ~ Ilrilaes that the Tightening Of
,a1e structure recommended IS partially under way
aud has been further planned SO may leIT ne t Is no
doubt taking the worst view OF me I5l2ll- 90
of i1e experts 5he two elevated tracks ana l'u'
The question, Of the responsibility Of the con
re1aiZi-- or has received. the attention Of the
r-- +Ior, Counsel in response TO an inquiry from
after conference between the Comptroller and
You state on page OF your letter:
Moreover. inasnuch as no snow or ice io9o
t,idre br covered with ice snow. such addi-
'ional weight would he added 10 the structure thal
n trolley cars could not with safety.
This statement is Incorrect The design Of the
Creeusboro Bridge and the change in adding addi-
fional tracks II the bridge were made before elthG
tn present Sg1.Issl2neT or P+ese1f o eL'el ehSl
n-er Of the deI3irtmenJ Vent INTO oIhce- ,+ .r.,
rms hnsL4 . = 80 o' 6t lt,t sfe " St1riSn cr The
T5,i1at-ar bridge or that they have directed the
construction OF bridge improperly planned
tive 81 the Bridge Commissioner. not because Of
fear that The bridge Will not carry the load
.er tie report relative TO the Manhattan Bridge
< completed viii be made public
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