Evening journal., 1915-02-18
KEEPING UP FIGHT
FOR NEW BRIDGE
Ninth Ward Association
Asks Legislature TO Aid
the Project
SAYS MAYOR
FAVORS STRUCTURE

In accordance with Instructions
from the Ninth Ward Civic Associa-
tion. f. p Johnson, secretary of that.
organization, has sent the following
letter to Representative Walter Rash.
chairman of the committee on munich
pal corporations Of the Legislatures
February II, 1915.
Hon. Walter Rash, Chairman of
the Committee on Municipal Corpora
tions. House of Representatives, Do
yer. Del: Dear Sir-At a meeting Of
the Ninth Ward Civic Association,
held Monday night last. | was in
structed 20 write to your committee
as we'll as to the speaker of the House
and president of the Senate, setting
forth the attitude of the association
on the Washington Street Bridge bill.
"A new bridge over the Brandywine
at Washington street has been the
topic for discussion at many Of our
meetings held in the last two years
Action from time to time has been
taken with a view of getting a new
bridge but all efforts along that line
have so far met with no success.
"The present structure was built
twenty-five years ago, at which time
there we're very few people living
north of the Brandywine 10 was built
with a view of sustaining the then
existing traffic and meeting the then
existing conditions. It was not at that
time subjected to trolley or heavy vo-
hicular and automobile service. t.
probably sufficed the purposes, needs
and requirements of 1898, but does not
of 1915.
ut forms the entrance to that bcauti
ful section of oiT city called Washing
ton Heights. which has grown very rap
idly from year to year and is daily in
crcasing in the number Of its homes ant
residents The taN money derived from
the citizens of the Ninth ward is q
large amount indeed. might add that
it is not only the people of that section
who will benefit by the erection of 4
new bridge, but likewise viii the resi-
dents of Brandywinc hundred and th'
people of New Castle county generally
since the bridge is used by large mum
bers going from this city to Philadcl
phia and West Chester and to othe
points in northern Delaware and int
Pennsylvania. 1t has been said by som'
that it is a matter Of civic pride and in
tercst with us, and while we arc dcsir
ous of securing anything winch NIGH
add to the beauty and attractiycncss %
our already beautiful section, yet tha
is not the underlying reason or cause fo
the great demand Tor a new bridge
The real reason IS embodied in that nov
popular slogan, safety first
Quote Engineer
"This bridge was examined by an en-
aineer who, in his report 10 the Levy
Court of New Castle county on July %
llOl2, saidi
} "'The bridge is totally unsuitable fo
heavy electric car service, j. C.. 'ca
weighing from 80 TO 30 tons, and if sucl
cars should be required, it would b.
necessary to rebuild throughout Thi
same engineer at that time recommend
ed many changes to be made. The Lev.
Court. acting upon that report, di'
cause some work to be done to th'
, bridge.
1t was not, however, considered bl
our people that the work done place.
the bridge in a safe and proper condi
/ tion II Is fact that the trolley com
pany will not run large aud heavy car
over this bridge, that is to say, cars sucl
as are run on Delaware avenue 1t Is
rule OF the company that no two troll
leys shall he on the bridge at one am
the same time. II is a fact that man.
of our citizens fear TO cross the bridg
in a trolley ear, and it has been sai
that some people have even refused L
move into the Ninth ward because q
their apprehension of its unsafe eondi
tioE.
"a very large and enthusiastic meet
ing was held by this association on O'
tober 10, 1914, at which time one OF th
speakers said: One of the most impol
tant bridges in New Castle county is tl
Washington street bridge. There is a
obligation ON New Castle county to buil
new bridge. The Ninth ward is grow
ing more rapidly than any other porto
of the city. In recent years 60 per cen
of the building permits and 40 per cen
of value of buildings for the entire eli
were Tor Ninth ward operations. III
matter is beyond debate, and New Ca
, tie county should build the bridge vii
4 tho utmost expedition That san
/ meeting was attended by Mayor Howe
! who, in the presence of over 200 of ol
citizens. said he was in favor of nu
bridge. and commended the associate
in its efforts TO secure il.