Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-14
Delaware BRIDGE
PLANNED AS BEST
Engineer Board Chairman Says
PhiIa. Camden Span to Be
Greatest in World
FRANKLIN so. SITE FAVORED

The Philadelphia Camden Bridge Will
be the best bridge in the world, botl
from an artistic and engineering stand
point, according to Ralph Modjeski.
He IL chairman of the Board of Engi.
neers which made the report concerning
The proposed Delaware River Bridge and
made this assertion yesterday after the
public hearing In City Hall.
The hearing was called to discuss the
Franklin Square Penn street site for
the bridge and served TO bring forth
many conflicting views. A majority Of
those present, including Mayor Moore,
indorsed the site named and expressed
the belief that It was the rest possible
one.
Designers Limited In United States
When asked how the proposed bridge
would compare with others, Mr.. Mod
jeski made the prediction stated and in
discussing the subject generally added !:
There are different conditions to be
met In the United States from those In
other countries. The requirements Of
navigation are much more strict. 10 that
limitations are made on the designers OF
bridges. In Europe a bridge is de.
signed and erected, and the vessels and
steamships which 60 under the bridge
must accommodate themselves. II the
bridge is too low for their tunnels, they
must have collapsible tunnels.
In America bridge must be ac-
commodated to the craft that are TO 90
under II. The Eads Bridge In st. Louis
is a beautiful bridge, with arches, but
another one like it could not be built.
The State law requires suspension
bridges, and no piers can be erected for
arches
In this connection Mr.. Modjeski men.
toned the opportunity In the construc-
tion Of the Delaware River Bridge to
bring out the utmost beauty of which
American suspension bridges are ca
engineer. is to be gained by observing
the most compelling Of esthetic princi-
pies, that of unadorned simplicity.
To Use Advanced Ideas
I'VE hope in the Delaware River
Bridge to express the furthest advance
In American bridges, as
we'll as to include the most advanced
engineering work." said he. The span
must be very long, but we will try to
have 1t as simple and graceful as II can
be made. Some American bridges have
been too much decorated with curlicues
and ornate additions"
The most difficult feature Of the
bridge construction Is not, as might be
Judged from the debate into which vari-
Gus groups Of interested citizens have
entered, the choice Of sites for its ter
mini, but the intricate and lengthy
calculations necessary to
make the great span Of the structure
equal to the stress that will be put upon
ably mean the death Of hundreds. with
the collapse Of the bridge.
The Delaware River Bridge does not
present more or less difhculties, be-
lieve. than the others I have been en-
gagged on" said Mr.. Modjeski. 'The
main span, which will be about fifty
feet less than the Quebec Bridge, Is the
most difficult part Of the work. We
must calculate accurately all Of the de-
fections, not only the strain put upon
the bridge by traffic. but the changes
due to temperature, and other ele-
Approval of the Franklin Square
Penn street site was given at the hear
ing by the Philadelphia Chamber Of
Commerce, Camden Chamber of Com
merce and North Philadelphia Business
mems Association.
Joseph X. Costello, secretary Of the
Bridge Commission today requested
speakers at the next two
public hearing to forward their names
to the commission offices In the Widener
This will enable q program
to be drafted in advance. The Spring
Garden street site will be discussed to-
morrow and the Washington Square To-
cation Friday.