Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-15
FOOT BRIDGE PLAN
ABANDONED TODAY
: BY LEVY COURT
Chiefly on the Ground That it
Feels the Expense Would Not
be Warranted.
OBJECTIONS WE'RE MADE

The Levy Court met in adjourned ses-
,.on this morning, for the purpose of con-
s;dcring the proposals for the stis-
pension bridge across the Brandywine at
West street, received yesterday.
A communication from Joseph j.. Car
penter, Jr, giving his reasons for oblectmg
to the construction WAS read and re-
fcrred to the committee OF the whole.
BENJAMIN i. Shaw, who WAS present
as a representative of residents IN the
territory north of the Brandywine. after
hearing Mr.. Carpenters letter, said that
he agreed on reflection. with every state
ment made, and believed that this would
be the sentiment of the people generally.
Mr.. Carpenters letter follows
Wilmington. Del. Sept. Ia, 1920.
To the Honorable Levy Court of New
Castle County:
Gentlemen:
desire to state my objection TO the
building of the foot bridge across the
Brandywine at the foot Of West street
In the first place, il will be n useless and
extravagant expenditure of money for the
results obtained by it's construction.
had occasion yesterday to look fully
into what convenience it might be to the
people on the north side. and find alter
careful inspection Of the surroundings
that persons desiring 10 cross said foot
bridge IL constructed. all live north of
Eighteenth street: for instance, person
at Eighteenth and Washington streets,
or person at Eighteenth and Boulevard,
or Eighteenth and Monroe, u practically
as near Market street bridge and Van
Buren street bridge, as they would be to the
temporary bridge at the foot Of West
street. the approaches to which are more
accessible, and over streets and paths
which are perfectly safe for pedestrians.
To get 10 the temporary bridge AS
contemplated il will bc necessary to pass
down West street from Eighteenth, n
steep grade, cross the road which is very
much used by the construction OF the new
Washington street bridge; cross the Angus
tine branch of the railroad at grade, which
is constantly used 10y shifting engines
cross the race on the north side, over q pit
form and steps 65 feet long. before they
can get 10 the bridge proper. There IS
then a span Of 24o feet crossing the
Brandvwine. landing AZ the edge OF tho
race on the south side, at point which is
quite dangerous for children (whom II Is
intended TO benefit), also at the intersec-
ton of the Park Drive and West street,
where there is more or less autosnohie
travel in both directions, as well as con-
siderable travel going down West street.
You win thesefore, upon thorough
inxpcction of the conditions, see them at
once as / have stated above. Furthermore,
il will require a waite hman ON each end
OF this temporary bridge; it viii also re-
uuire considerable lighting, as the ap-
proaches on both sides are quite isolated
and dangerous unless properly protected.
You will therefore see that the points
| raise are correctly stated, and upon
inspection Of the conditions you will
no doubt arrive at the same conclusion l
have: That the bridge is unnecessary and
a waste of public money, unwarranted by
the benefits obtained from its construction.
therefore hope, after you fully con-
sider the matter, you VIII decline 70 award
the contract for the construction of the
bridge.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) Jos. L. Carpenter, Jr.
p. S-There is also more or less danger
from the blasting of rocks, and the con-
struction work of the new Washington
street bridge so close at hand.
After considering the matter In COM
mittee. a resolution was adopted in open
meeting that the bids received yesterday
be rejected and checks returned.
The contractors for the Newport Pike,
ID. T.. O'Connell and Son, were allowed to
substitute Bithoslag for the material
specified. which was found impossible TO
obtain promptly.
The court adjourned until next Tues
day