The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-08-11
Hold City ResponsibIe.

p0so wy NS0POUosOtSs
City Attorney Bond informed the
mayor that unless the bridge was
closed the city would be liable for any
deaths or accidents resulting from the
collapse of the structure.
Under the statutes the county gov.
ernment would in no way be held re-
sponsible for any mishap to the Main
street BRIDGE" Mr.. Bond declared.
The city would shoulder the entire
responsibility"
The executive officers Of the city
also fear II the bridge IN not closed.
and some tragedy. should result. they
would expose themselves to charges
Of criminal negligence.
With the closing Of the principal
connecting span between Richmond
and West Richmond. practically all
traffic between the two sections of
the city would be DETECTED to the
Doran bridge, which spans the river at
North D street and Richmond avenue.
How long this bridge. less powerfully
constructed than the Main street
bridge. but in much better repair.
can stand the strain of heavily in
creased traffic is another question
bothering the city officials. The heavy
traction cars may be expected to do
considerable damage to this bridge.
ExpIains Legal Status.
According to the opinion given by
the city attorney today, the city is
entirely responsible for the failure to
keep the Main street bridge in prop
er state of repair. He said the state
law does not require the county to do
more than construct bridges In incor-
porated towns. The county may"
provide for the maintenance OF such
bridges, but is not obligated to do So
He also stated that the county can not
under the law, be held liable for ac-
cidents occurring on any bridges.
while the city. on the other hand, is
held strictly liable for such accidents.
West Richmond people. it was learn
ed today. are to get behind move
ment to have the present Main street
bridge replaced by a modern concrete
structure. extending from a point near
the corner of Main and Second streets
to where the western end Of the pres
ent bridge now is. They claim this
will eliminate the slope Of the present
bridge. and will not damage property
on Main street between Second street
and the c. & o. tracks.
Opposes Grade Crossing.
City Attorney Bond is not favorable
to this plan, because it would pro-
vide a grade crossing Of the c. & o.
on the bridge
Although the county commissioners
in session yesterday afternoon order
ed the county attorney to issue an
order to the Terre Haute, Indianapo-
lis & Eastern Traction company to
running cars across the
bridge, County Attorney Hoelscher re-
fused to issue the order. County At
torney Hoelscher was not present at
the meeting of the commissioners.
Receives Instructions.
THE county has no interest in the
matter legally" said Mr.. Hoelscher
today. Il received the instructions
from the county commissioners, but
have not acted in the matter. because
it is beyond the jurisdiction of the
county to close the bridge. All liabil-
ity is on. the city in this matter, for
as soon as the bridge was completed
all Jurisdiction was turned over to
the city. to become a part Of city
street.
Il will consult with the commission
ers, however, and will issue the order
in conjunction with the city attorney,
If they SO DESIRE" he added.
According to the state law. the coun-
ty is not responsible or can not be
held liable for any accidents on the !
public highways. Therefore, an order !.
to the traction company would be un-
necessary in relieving the county Of
liability in case of accident.