Evening journal., 1908-09-25
RUSH REPAIRS
ON BIG BRIDGE
B. & 0. Trains Will Run
Across SuSquehanna StruC-
ture in Thirty Days

Work on the temporary falsework TO
span the gap made In the big susquehanna
bridge OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
by the accident Wednesday is being rush-
ed by the American Bridge Company, and
in the opinion OF Chief Engineer ID. ID
Carothers. OF the Baltimore and OHIO
trains will be running over Il In 30 days
No steps can be taken TO investigate
the dynamite theory until derrcks anc
other necessary apparatus arc placed N
position for lifting the heavy debris. Tha
lighter debris is now. being cleared away
by divers This win N done in the next
few days. and a thorough investigation
will be made TO find II there is any
foundation for the theory that foul play
is responsible for the accident. The Bal'
timore and Ohio officials win not maze
any statement other than the dynamite
theory is possibility until the facts OF
the case are brought out by the removal
of the debris.
A line is being constructed from Perry
VILE to Aiken to shorten the detour neces.
sary in order TO pass over the Pennsyl-
vania. The Baltimore and Ohia- trains will
then leave their tracks at Swan Creek, as
al present but instead OF going all the
way to Wilmington over the Pennsylva-
Mas tracks, will use the new cutoff, part
Of which is already built. being portion
OF the Columbia and Port Deposit Branch
Of the Pennsylvania, which elaves the
main line at Perryville.
Three shifts of men are working day and
night on the cut-on, under the supervision
OF Baltimore and Ohio Engineer r. n
Bengies II. b. Voorhees,. superintendent
OF the Philadelphia division, Is also on the
ground. The loss Of time viii be so slight
when the new detour is finished that. IL Il
IS so desired by the Baltimore and Ohio
officials trains can be run around 81 even
after the false work on the bridge Is
completed over the gap made by the ac-
cident This will enable the American
Bridge Company TO rush the bridge to.
wards completion at a much faster rate
The very heavy freight trains will prob
ably be detoured until tho new steel Sec
tion is built over the east channel, thus
preventing the false work being subjected
I to such a terrific strain as that under
which Il collapsed Wednesday.
Some question has arisen as to the strain
on the Pennsylvania bridge as a result OF
the extra traffic. Competent and expert
engineers say this viii be only a moiety OF
its sustaining capacity. II was pointed oui
that this Is one of the most substantial
structures Of its kind in the world. 1t was
reconstructed with the view OF having Tho
heaviest passenger trains of the Pennsyl
vania system operating between New Yorl
and Washington pass over It at a speed
which will ultimately reduce the running
time between these cities to four or fou
and a half hours. This, however. was thu
project Of the late President A. j. Cassett
publicly announced. and his successor II
carrying out his policies.
The bridge was also intended for fas
freight and heavy service between th'
North and South. 1t has been fully tested
with this object in view and found to meet
requirements II has never yet been used
/ to capacity, and consequently the extra
trains of the Baltimore and Ohio using
it for only a short time. will it is assert
ed. not affect il in the least