The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-04-28
PLANS BEING
MADE FOR
NEW BRIDGE

first steps toward the erection OF q
new bridge.
In the meantime, people win be
able TO visit the popular breathing
spot by ferry. The Detroit q Wind
sor Ferry Co. established regular
service TO the island at 9 O'Clock
Wednesday morning. with a boat
from the foot OF woodwardave
every half-hour. The Pleasure and
the Sappho were the ferries In com
mission. The service will be aug
mented as the trafic increases.
Owners OF motor cars are hit
hardest by the disaster to the
bridge. unless the ferry company
decides 20 carry them. For the
present. however. they have no
means OF reaching the island. and
even II the ferries transport them.
only a limited number can be taken
care Of The man who was won't
TO take his family around the shore
drive on Sunday probably will have
TO pick another route for the time
being. This will mean still greater
congestion on Woodward-aye.. for II
will drive many TO Palmer park as
second choice.
Before the city can proceed with
the erection Of a new bridge. IL
will be necessary for the people to
authorize special bond issue. No
time will be lost in putting the
proposition before them. In It's ses-
sion Tuesday night, the common
council. at the request OF the mayor.
adopted resolution by Aid Burton
directing City Controller Engie to
submit forthwith a supplemental es-
innate covering the cost Of a spe-
cial election The controller has al
ready figured out that a special
election would cost s22.500.
Mayor Marx, In his communica-
ton TO the council. points out that
the park department already has In
its possession plans for bridge on
the site OF the old structure. These
were prepared by Architect cass
Gilbert. assisted by Barclay Par
sons 4 Clapp. in connection with the
proposed plan for the Identification
OF the lower end OF the island. which
never materialized. The plans are
regarded as q godsend now. The
estimated cost Of the bridge, as
planned. IL about s1.s0o.0o0.
A ID. p. w. tar wagon f. blamed
for the fire. II had passed over the
bridge just before the blaze was dis
covered, and Il IL supposed that
sparks or hot cinders from the fire
box lodged in a crevice OF the tar
soaked creosote block pavement
which formed the floor OF the bridge.
A brisk breeze was blowing up the
river and the incipient blaze thus
started was quickly famed into a
seething fame.
The are seems to have started NJ
two points OF the bridge about the
same time. IL was about 3:15 that
motorists returning 10 the city from
the island noticed little tongues OF
fame darling from the pavement
about sir spans from the island end
Of the bridge. Further along. At the
FIRST span on the island side OF the
draw, was another incipient blaze.
The two worked toward each other
so rapidly that many motorists mar.
roviy escaped being caught between
them.
J. ". Burns. OF No. 20 Hosmerave
vas one Of the first 20 notice the
IRE. Re was driving to the city.
but turned back and notified Har-
bormaster King. who accompanied
Burns 20 the bridge. The IRE had
gained great headvsy in the mean
time. Burns made a dash through
the smoke and flames and the TOP
o fhis machine was anre when he
reached the draw. Frank Martin.
engineer on the draw, doused II with
a pail Of water and Burns sped on
20 turn in an alarm.
Mar Lnhoff. OF No. B55 Wood.
wsrd-ave.. claims credit for turning
IN the FIRST alarm. He says he teie
phoned the department Just after the
biaze started
In any event, the department re-
sponded promptly. Three slarms
were rrSns o. and within n fev ufo