The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-13
CONTRACT is AWARDED
FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS
Is Subject. However. to Action Of
Council In Making Additional
APpropria tiOn.
II. l.. MATTHEW'S LOWEST BIDDER
Strong Oppoaition TO Spending Money
on Old Structure Comes From Those
Who Favor Modern New bridge.

After debating at length several
plans looking TO the Improvement of
The old Ninth street Free Bridge, tho
Administrative Board yesterday BY
divided vote adopted resolution
awarding TO II. l.. Matthew'S n con-
tract for reconstructing and strength
ening the eight spans OF the bridge
In accordance with plans and spec!fica-
tons recommended by CITY Engineer
Rolling and approved ty tho board.
Ills bid OF $500 was the lowcst rc-
cc!vcd for the whole work.
Tho award, however l. rnado con-
ditional upon tho Councils making All
extra appropriation OF $4,000. which,
IL ia stated, L. needed TO meet tho de-
iicicncy between the funds now avail
abl" for tho Free Bridge Improvement
ana Tie amount OF the bid Tho con-
tract for the work. the board provided
shnii not DO signed on behalf OF tho
city until the extra appropriation Is
made.
Under the terms of tho ordinance OF
April II. authorizing Il .l.500.o0O bond
issue. $4,000 OF the proceeds Of the
bond sale was appropriated for repairs
10 tho Free Bridge. The pro rata re
duction OF all appropriations author
lied In this measure. made necessary
by the discount AT which tho bonds
were sold. cut the FREQ Bridge appro-
priation 10 S46,075--an amount not
jority OF the board, to carry out tho
complete Improvement
In accordance with this view tho
board entered nm order yesterday ro-
questing tho Council through tho
Mayor 10 make an extra $4,000 up-
propr!ation 10 the bridge Improvement
fund. and the work Will he held up
pending tho Councils action on this
request.
The motion awarding tho condi
tional contract to II. l.. Matthews was
made by John Nirschberg, and received
the support of Robert Whit,ct. Jr,
and l.. G. Folkes. Carlton Mccarthy
dccliued 10 vote. and Henry r. Beck
voted against the award on the ground
that the money available Is sufficient
TO repair and strengthen the bridge.
ana that an add!tiona appropriation Is
not necessary. Mr.. lIlrschberg took
the ground that tho amount available
Is not sufficient to carry out the re-
construction In conformity with tho
plans and specifications recommended
by tho CITY Engineer.
Carlton Mccarthy offered q substitute
for Mr.. Hlrschberg's motion. which
called for the rejection OF all bids.
and for rcadvert!s!ng the Job on tho
bnss OF specific designs and fgures
adopted by the board and satisfactory
10 the city Engineer Mr.. Beck alono
supported the substitute. Mr. Nc
Carthy failing to vote.
The Council itself. when the DUES
tion OF repairing the Free Bridge was
before it. registered decided dirYer-
cnces of opinion. considerable num-
ber OF the members declared them-
selves in favor OF appropriating enough
money for the building OF an entirely
new bridge OF modern and substRn-
tial design
An appropriation of $4,000 for re-
pairs, while 1t was urged that tho re-
constructed bridge woud be good for
many more years Of service, was re-
Earded by many members as make
shift. The latest request for nm ad-
ditiona appropriation is likely to re-
ViVe anew the question as to whether
II would DO moro economical to re-
pair the present bridge or to build a
new one.