Evening journal., 1914-12-09
another TEST
FOR CITY BRIDGE
Levy Court Directs Mr..
Greiner to Report on Wash
ingtOn Street Structure
NINTH WARD MEN
FORCE THE SUBJECT

Consulting Engineer John B. Greincr
has been engaged by the Levy Court to
make another examination of Wash
ington street bridge.
At the afternoon session Of the Levy
Court yesterday delegation of the
Ninth Ward Civic Association appeared
before the court regarding the condi-
tion of the bridge. Leon Walker, Harry
A. Caspersou and Charles Topkis COM
priscd the delegation and as Mr.. Greiner
was present Mr Walker asked that the
engineer be heard on the bridge sub
iect.
Mr.. Greiner said he could tell nothing
more about the bridge now than he had
done two years ago
Mr.. Greiner said; at that time |
| pointed out the defects of the bridge,
explained Just what weight il would
carry and pointed out the vital weak
ncsscs in the structure that existed at
that time. | also embodied recommen-
datious showing how those weaknesses
could be overcome, and ! understand
4 these recommendations have been car
ried ont.
81 cannot say whether IL il safe for
the trainc going over it now he de-
clared, hut / can readily say that It IL
unsafe for the traffic that might 60
over it, such aa crowd lammed about
trolley car or parade. I'm such eases
IL would be badly strained, there Is mo
doubt of that. on course YOU might con.
troll that with traffic regulations. The
fact that is staring us in the face is that
IL is a very light structure and not near.
ly as strong as bridges constructed IN
these days should be. II should be con
stantly looked after to see that it is not
strained"
MIR. Greiner said that in his opinion
the bridge, even when first constructed
would only bear a weight of 60 pounds
to the square foot, while the lightesi
bridges constructed now bear 100 pounds
10 the square foot and some of then
l2j to $50 pounds. lie explained that ,
crowd of people squeezed together lik'
persons ON an elevator would weigl
about 100 pounds per square foot, an'
"a crowd that Just about touched shoul
dcrs would weigh 100 pounds. The ordi
mary crowd known as light traffic, will
plenty OF walking room to walk along
would weigh so pounds per square foot
so that the bridge was constructed e
hold even a lighter crowd than that
In answer to a question by Mr.. Smitl
Mr.. Greiner said that the vibration
were not a sign of unsaicty, as all fex
iblc bridges vibratc. lie explained
however. that the normal vibration a
the flexible bridge Is mp and down am
If thew should vibrate sideways IL is
sign Of danger, and there is somethin
wrong with the bridge. he stated tina
a bridge is liable TO vihrate more whe
a horse trots across IL than when n
, ton automobile truck crosses It. u
cessive vibration, however, he believ,
might be sign of danger.
q "lhe bridge was only made 60 no
60 pounds per square foot" he declare
'and if it is called upon TO carry II
p pounds It is only a question OF time bt
fore something will snap. That's ho'
close you are"
A general discussion OF the subieG
followed, in which the members of th
, court participated.
Mr. Walker declared that his commit
, tee had received sufficient intormatio
from Mr. Greiner TO leave question O
doubt in their minds as TO the safety o
the bridge. and it was particularly plain
he declared, that the present bridge wa
insufficient for future traffic. lie there
!. fore asked that the Levy Court ascer
tain its present condition by having an
other examination made.
'Wc don't ask anything unreasonable,
he declared. "but something should b
done at once. A loaded trolley car,
5-ton truck, heavily loaded OF a crowd
such as we had during Old Home Week
might be the last straw that broke th
came's back. II is better TO do some
+ thing before an accident occurs than /
b lock the stable door after the horse ha
been stolen. We do not want to saddl
any expense on the Levy Court and
might be better to spend the money j
; a bond issue for new bridge than 70
> repairs, but the first thing that shoul
be done is to examine the bridge an
r see if it is safe"
Mr. Walker also pointed ont how raT
p idly the Ninth ward Is growing. aud h
believed they had just cause for CON
e plant. In order, as he said, to get th
rural members TO show how they stan
! upon the subject, Mr.. Gooding made
r motion that Mr. Greiner be instructe
. 10 give an estimate as to what IL woul
y cost to have an examination made {
! the structure 10 ascertain its strengt
e at the present time.
! MI. Gooding declared that he hated I
[ see money expended for that, as he b.
lieved they would find the condition
- the same after the examination as the
- find them now. lie declared he was sal
! isied to have Mr.. Greiner examine III
y bridge. but he believed the time is nc
far distant when they viii have
5 have a new bridge.
/ Another discussion followed and upo
4 motion of Mr.. Gooding, Mr.. Greincr wa
\ employed to make the examination
: the bridge at a cost of $3.50.