Arizona republican., 1909-06-10
SPEAKS IN DEFENSE
 OF H. R. PATRICK
c. c. Thompson Former Designer of Bridges.

To the Editor of The Republican, Sir:
 Although having some interests as "citizen and taxpayer" and some opinions as an engineer, it has been my steadfast purpose until now to refrain from entering the bridge controversy.
 Of all the bridge literature which has appeared during the past weeks, none has struck me as being more dispas- sionate, freer from personality. show ing a more thorough study of the sub ject, or being more carefully prepared. than the contribution of H. R. Patrick, which appeared a few mornings since.
 While there may be many who dis sent from MT. Patrick's conclusion that the Tempe site is the more desirable, I am surprised and pained that his article should have called forth the fusiIlade of abuse and belittlement which has followed. It may be that MT Partick's judgment is affected by looking along the boundary of his forty acre farm toward the Tempe site, and I doubt not that many other Judg- ments are affected by looking along the boundaries of other 40, and 400 and 4OOO acre farms toward that and other sites.
 I have known Mir. Patrick for more than thirty six years. I know that he has borne the thirst, hunger, weariness and dangers incident to the struggle with the desert. His labors, and the labors of others like him. have made it possible for his detractOrs to live here in ease. comfort, luxury and ar fluence But for him and kindred spir- its, there would now be no necessity for a bridge at either Tempe or Center street. To him the valley is an open volume. and the Salt river an illumin- ated page. and his opinion thereon is worthy of serious consideration.
 do not agree with MT Patrick that Tempe is the most desirable location for a bridge. In my opinion. two bridges should be built one at Tempe and one at Center street. Unfortunate Iy. in the Center street proposition, we are handicapped by specific plans and specifications, and a type of bridge is proposed which, while excellent for many locations. is totally unsuited for any stream of the character of Salt river Spanning but two-thirds of the river bed, and that with but fifty-five feet clear openings-in fact, a series of culverts-is. in my judgment, an en- gineering mistake. Such 8. bridge is subject to clogging with drift-wood at the first real flood, resulting. in all probability, in a new river bed on one side or the other, to be bridged at a later date.
 It may not be meek for a writer to speak of his own achievements on any particular line. but it has been pub lished and reiterated that there is no engineer in Maricopa county who has had experience in bridge building l know that other engineers of the coun- ty have had some such experience. l know not how much. For myself. if any interested party cares to do so. and will examine the files in the office of the chief engineer of the Santa Fe railroad in Los Angeles, he will find therein my designs for the substruc- lures. abutments and piers. built of solid masonry, for siXty-four steel bridges erected between Albuquerque and Barstow. He will also find the plans for the Canon Diablo bridge. the largest structure on the Santa Fe be-
 
 tween the Rio Grande and Colorado rivers. which l designed in its entirety. not claiming credit for shop details, which, of course. were worked out by the constructing company. All of these designs were approved by the chief en- gineers. respectively, of the western di- vision. and of the entire system, and the structures erected. and all are now in use. except one abutment of bridge near Blackberry. which was washed cut during the floods of 1905 which carried away a number of the bridges. men toned, leaving the masonry intact in all instances except the one cited.
 As to the material for foundation at the Center street site. I have no hes itaency in pronouncing it most exceil- ent, second only to bed rock itself AL most any type of bridge well built on this foundation should stand. The real question is not one of permanence but of adaptibilit". I regret the conditions which compel 1 me to vote against the bridge at Cen ter street. and hope, in the near future l to be able to vote "yes" on the same unrestricted-to vote for bridge. with emphasis on the last word !
 Respectfully
 Q. C. THOMPSON,
 CIfirs,,. and FToxpavor