The Unsung Toll of the 11th Street Bridge
Forced to work around the clock by the mayor, the Eleventh Street bridge tender struggles to keep up with increased harbor traffic.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Since the city channel has been dredged, traffic through the city and railroad bridges has greatly increased. John Forsythe, tender of the Eleventh Street bridge, stated, 'During the daytime I have the draw open in less than five minutes from the time the signal is given, but at night it takes longer. I am on duty 24 hours each day, and it is trying on a man to be called at all hours of the night.' Mr. Forsythe has been on duty every minute since he was appointed to the position by Mayor Wright. While other city officials are required to work eight hours, he is compelled to work twenty-four.
“I am on duty 24 hours each day, and I can tell you it is trying on a man to be called at all hours of the night.”
The tension between infrastructure demands and the human cost of labor is a classic civic struggle. Forsythe’s complaint highlights the 1904 reality of municipal management—where 'service' often meant total personal sacrifice for city employees.
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