The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-04-26
INQUIRY ON
PATENT BRIDGES
New Jersey State Highway Com
mission Discusses Steps to
Meet Labor Shortage.
PICK AN EXPERT ENGINEER
Camp Orders Issued for National
Guard-schooI Of instruction Will
Be Under Way at Sea Glrt
in July and August:

TRENTON.-Extension of the prin-
ciple 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 $3.50, 900 of motor vehicle
funds previously allotted, we're among
the subjects before the State High
way Commission here.
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 Bass river, the Man
asquan river, and Manahawkin, where
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 0 n
temptation, is a.. designing but not a
constructing concern. 1t is the prac-
tice of the company, it vas stated, to
charge TN per cent of the estimated
cos 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 Bas-
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 Bu-
reau of Public Roads at Washington,
which has an established policy
against the payment Of royalties or
any fees for patent rights.
Mr.. Vogel stated hat none Of the
three propositions under consider
alton was emergent in character, al
though consent had been obtained
from the Wal Department to close the
channel at Manahawkin 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 If cause were shown
for such action.
Wages for Laborers
The question of wages rates for em-
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 IL,
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 con
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-
tons 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 owe Cover
nor Silzer's veto. The Palisades COM
mission based it's request upon a de-
sire for early completion of the pro-
| POoC0 COAb1h0OhO AA6AndJ AOAIC oAOA6
the west shore of the Hudson from
Hoboken to Albany, an Incidental re-
suit of which would be to make the
Palisades Park mors 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 40 feet. This is on
the White Horse Pike. The 40-foot
width was adopted so as to make pro-
vision for future possible widening Of
the highway.
Formal approval was given to sched-
ule Of special motor vehicle fund al
lotments, a~ggregating $3.50 900, 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