The Penn's Grove record., 1923-04-20

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the prin-
ciD,e of open specifications to include
bridge construction, steps necessary
to meet the increasing labor short.
age with its consequent advance in
wages and approval Of the apportion,
ment of S250.00e Of motor vehicle
funds previously allotted, were among
the subjects before the State High
way Commission kere.
Bridge construction, with particular
reference to patented types, such as
Bascule bridges, was discussed by
the commission with John L. Vogel,
chief of the bridge division at New
ark. The use of such bridges is now
contemplated at Russ river, the Man
asouan river, and Nanahawkin, whore
the highway system crosses the in
land channels and meadows a few
miles south Of the Barnegat Light.
Commissioner Kidde remarked that
the commission is on record as op-
posed to paying royalties on patented
articles, and urged great care in ap
proving patented designs for bridges.
Mr.. Vogel explained that there are
but four companies actually engaged
in the construction of bridges of the
Bascule type. The Chicago Bascule
Bridge Company. whose type of bridge
had been approved by the old commits
sion for the three bridges under o
temptation. is a designing but not a
constructing concern. 1t is the prac-
tice Of the company, it was stated, to
charge re per cent of the estimated
cost for designing a bridge, this in
Guiding the royalty involved in the
patent rights.
Inquiry Is Directed
In order that the commission might
be fortified with further information
Mr.. vogel was directed to make in
Quiries as to the extent to which Bias
Guile bridges are covered by patents
from the city of Chicago, which was a
party in a number of litigations in
volving Bascule bridges. and the Blu
e Of Public Roads at Washington.
which has an established policy
against the payment Of royalties or
any fees for patent rights.
Mr.. Vogel stated that non of the
three propositions under consider
alton was emergent in character, al
though consent had been obtained
from the War Department to close the
channel at MauahaWkin from October
Is to April 1 for the purpose of bridge
construction He, therefore, regarded
it as desirable that bridge work be
started at that point without unneces
sary delay. He anticipated that, if de-
sired, the War Department would ex
tend the time for starting work on
the other bridges # cause were shown
for such action.
Wages for Laborers
The question OF wages rates for EN-
ployees of the department engaged in
road construction was brought up
when State Highway Engineer Will
liam G. Sloan submitted for consider
alton a report respecting the wages
regarded as necessary in work now in
progress in the vicinity of Route II,
Little Falls township. Pasaic county,
The commission approved the specific
increases recommended as necessary
in this instance but decided to go into
the wage question more thoroughly,
as a statewide proposition.
The highway department is on
fronted with difficulties similar to
those described by contractors at the
recent conference between the con-
tractors association and the commits
sion.
The commission accepted an invita-
ton to be represented at a meeting
OF the New Jersey Association of
County Engineers at the court house
in this city to consider various ques-
tions relating to the operation of the
Mathis open specifications act.
Urges Palisades Road Building
A resolution from the Palisades In
terstate Park Commission urged early
action in construction of the new
highway route along the top of the
Palisades, authorized by Mr.. Craw
ford's bill, H. 1874, passed over Cover
nor Silzer's veto. The Palisades COM
mission based its request upon a de-
sire for early completion of the pro
posed continuous highway route along
the west shore of the Hudson from
Hoboken to Albany. an incidental re-
suit Of which would be to make the
Palisades Park more readily acces-
sible.
Upon recommendation of the State
highway engineer the commission ap-
proved the widening of the bridge
over Landing creek, near Egg Harbor
City, from 81 to 70 feet. This is on
the White Horse Pike. The 4O-foot
width was adopted 50 as to make pro
vision for future possible widening of
the highway.
Formal approval was given to SEIZED
ule of special otto vehicle fund al
lotments, ag~gregating S250. 900. made
by the old commission. Most of the
work had already been done and the
commission felt it had little option
as to it's course.
A memorandum was received from