The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-06
Will INVESTIGATE
OfLAYSON BRIDGE
Street Committee to Hear From
Contractor /. J.
Smith.

Smith.
The Council Committee on Streets
will meet this afternoon at s O'Clock
to consider the report of the City En-.
gineer in relation to delays In con-
struction of the new Mayo Bridge.
The contractors, Messrs. l. j. Smith
& Co.. will be represented by Attor
ney Charles v. Meredith.
The report shows that the contract
was awarded to the Smith Arm on
July IL. 1911. the work to be COM
pleted in one year. This firm was
not the lowest bidder. and the time
of completion was one Of the decid-
ing factors in securing for IL the CON-
tract over a number of other compe-
titors. Last summer an extension OF
four months was granted by the Street
Committee on account of high water.
freezing weather and other conditions
beyond the control OF the contractor.
who. il was conceded. should have
365 working days. The exte nded time
now expires on November IL. and the
done.
All OF the piers and arches have
been put in place between the north
shore and the island. and the recent
work has been in securing founda-
tions for the piers on the southern
side Of the island
Could Work Faster.
Mr.. Boiling has reported that while
haS On hnr
work in the water before freezing
weather sets in, yet there were other
sections Of the bridge on which the
contractor might be working at the
same time. The earth fills have not
been made on the arches already COM
pleted. and at the present rate of
progress and with the present force,
MIR. Boiling was doubtful II the bridge
would be completed for another year.
Mr.. Meredith has indicated that the
company VIII set up in it's own de-
Tense that it vas misIed in regard
to the character of foundation, and
has had to carry the piers much
deeper to secure solid rock on which
to s>et tae naHive structure.
1t was found that the piers of the
old bridge rested most insecurity on
rubbish, broken stone and the ruins Of
former bridges. no effort having ap-
parentiy been made to secure for those
piers a solid rock foundation. Mr..
Merediths contention Is that the con-
tractor is showing all good faith in
hurrying on the work with an adequate
force and proper equipment. and tina.
having found the foundation work
more difficult than anticipated, IT Is
now proper that additional time be
granted. He proposes to offer evidence
as to the number OF men employed
the machinery in operation and the
material on hand in support Of his
contention that the contractor Is press
ing the work forward with all good
faith.
SoutAside In Protest.
On the other hand there will be
present delegation OF citizens Of
South Richmond. who are seriously
hampered in their business enterprises
by reason OF the continued delays on
the bridge. and who are in some In
stances suffering an actual monetary
loss each day because OF the long haul
around by the old Free Bridge, re-
quiring twice the time.
The Southsiders contend that the
work has not been pressed with all
diligence-that there have been times
when the force employed was small:
that there has been very little night
work, and little effort to push for
ward several sections OF the structure
at the same time. The distribution OF
gas throughout South Richmond is
held back by reason Of the delay in
the bridge work. since the new bridge
will carry the gas mains. The re-
construction of the street car system Is
likewise held back and the car SER
vice Of South Richmond is limited to
the Old inadequate and unsteady Free
Bridge, the wooden props under which
might be carried away in any serious
freshet.
Some members OF the committee have
suggested that II any further kx-
tension is granted. it should be for q
period sufficient, with due diligence.
to allow OF the completion OF the
bridge. and that before any such ex-
tension is granted. the contractors
should be required to give IN ample
bond to get to work and finish the
Job In that time.