Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-05
FH[Y NEVER HEARD
HI DELAWARE SPAN
E,,nt and Race Street Mer-
,hsnts Amazed at Notices
to Vacate
toMpLAIN TO COMMISSION

r.;so has been expressed by many
su, i. and landlords in the neighbor-
ens"f ~ Front and Race streets on hear
ooa tat n bridge is to be built over the
bsIavare River.
anv who called at the Office Of the
mare mar River Bridge Commission to
nnIo;n about the notice to vacatc
II nrcmises within the sixty days.
t notices were sent to occupants of
.n.rties on the line of the proposed
Ridge. r ,.,,
,an,sJ as far back as July 81, Joseph
PCoSteIIo. secretary Of the commits
cuietly informed those who called
s.t tbcir amazement and surprise were
sst a little late.
us also reminded them that virtually
SoJ been notified in ample time to
.estr by the various agencies Of the
Lommlssion
Among the complainants during the
:, few days were many who have
ali business establishments in the
rdge area. Many of them declared
Sst they had a very large stock Of goods
u hand and could not possibly get rid
II Dy JaHuhiN - "H'h the plopeiti Ties
must be vacated.
All such excuses are waste Of en-
,,r The commission has made this
plsin. Engineers of the commission
sav adopted schedules which require
N, property within the bridge area on
I'M Philadelphia side by January 1.
They have fixed that date to start
xork on the foundation for the anchor
M piers. To prepare the way, demoli-
tion Of properties will start at a point
sonewhere between the east side OF
Front street and the west side of Del
aware avenue and from Race to Sum-
wsr streets
The shopkeepers also declare that the
bridge.site neighborhood is the only
nlace that they can do business. But
Nr Costello reminded them that as
.ll their customers in that section
vould have to 20 It would therefore
be useless to remain.
Members Of the commission have ex-
pressed their sympathy for those who
were not aware Of the big project to
n started in their midst. but declare.
reyertheess, that they will be obliged
i d follow the rigorous schedule.
NM policy of the commissions engi-
n.ers. BY way of illustration, it might
e painted out that the contracts and
pecifcations scheduled to be completed
November IS we're finished on Novem-
Ibg s. !
Incidentally, plans are being mapped
out to have fitting ceremonies to mark
| the start of the big project January l.
Precaution for Workers
In the construction of the foundations
| for the great piers for. the bridge, the
contractors will be under strict accoun-
1 liability for the utmost care and pre-
|autlon to safeguard the men who will
labor beneath the bed of the river in
| DE alright compartments of the huge
Iulsons.
| A State law of Pennsylvania, passed
In 1917, provides for this care. as ex-
|p,rience in the construction of other
bridges requiring underground operation
showed a lack of care against which 1t
became necessary to guard.
From eighty to 100 men will be EN-
|p6yed continuously twenty four hours
Ia day. but divided into such shifts as
|vi give them all necessary safeguards.
Experience showed that as the COM
pressed air reaches the higher pressures
The men are unable to remain at the
work for any considerable period OF
time, and the law specifically provides
The hours and ay-offs for these opera
|tyes.
Bends" Disease Is Feared
Unless every safeguard is used the
linen working under compressed air are
liable to attack from disease known
as the "bendS. Treatment under SINH
lar atmospheric conditions is necessary |
to give relief. Air lock hospitals will
be equipped for the workers.
George s. Webster, of the Board of
Engineers. who supervised the cOnstruc-
tlcn Of the PaSSyunk avenue bridge. re-
calls several experiences in connection
with the underground operations in
yolyed in pier construction.
In one instance caiSsOn worker was
found in Il street by patrolman. who .
thought him intoxicated. He was about /
10 be sent to a station house when he |
was recognized and hurried to the Spe- /
eal hospital. In another instance n /
worker took a flask Of whisky with him .
underground, II" cmptied the flask and +.
In COrking it some of the compressed .
all entered. When he asccndcd to the |
normal atmosphere the compressed air
tIDn1pl hurgtinU tho NnCL uuI .,li1htl,,