 Starring Claire Trevor in the Builders of the Bridge on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by the DuPont Company. Maker of better things for better living through chemistry. But first, here is Gene Whitman. Chris Paul Day's reminder that winter is just around the corner. Your car needs cold weather protection now. Why not go to your dealer tomorrow and have him clean out rust and scale with DuPont Cooling System Cleanser. Prevent leaks with DuPont Cooling System Cleanser and add a dependable DuPont antifreeze. Z-Rex War Emergency Zero or Five Star. Each gives you double protection against freezing and against rust. And Z-Rex is non-evaporating. All of these car protection products are examples of DuPont's better things for better living through chemistry. This is the story of a mighty dream and of how it passed down from father to son, from man to wife. To become at last a monument to human genius and a soaring gateway to America's targets. The DuPont Cavalcade presents the Builders of the Bridge, starring Claire Trevor as Emily Warren Roebling. I knew and loved them both. John A. Roebling, who dreamed the dream and his time internal Washington Roebling, my husband, who made it a reality. John Roebling came to this country burning with a vision. A vision of mighty bridges spanning the broad riddles of America, linking city with city, man with man. He built bridges for America that crossed the Allegheny, the Monongahela, the Niagara, and the broad Ohio at Cincinnati. I remember that bright morning in the spring of 1867, when Papa Roebling strode excitedly into our living room. Washington, I want you to sail at once in Europe. Europe, pardon? The company has reformed at last to build the bridge over the East River between New York City and Brooklyn. And I have been appointed Chief Engineer. Oh, Papa Roebling, how wonderful! That's for all his years waiting. And do you think they doubted you instead of Brooklyn Bridge would be impossible to build? There are many who still think so, Emily. Why do you need the Europe, pardon? Well, son, I wanted to consult the leading engineers in England, France, Canada. A new method of suit and case on foundations has been developed. Find out everything about it. And while you are there, investigate these new structure materials. They're called steels. Very well, father. I'll miss you, Emily. And I won't be here when the baby comes. You're not going to leave me behind Washington, where you go, I go. Well, that is good. Stay a year if you like, and maybe that baby will be born in new housing like his grandfather. Have a good time. But remember, I want precise details of the processes mentioned, figures, blue prints... And tin types of the baby, especially if it's a boy. Oh, yeah, not really. That is good. Well, I could be making my survey and storing up my plans. It seems I can see it now. Ah, the brakes will be yours now. He sailed for Europe, Washington and I. And as the month sped by, he consulted with Europe's strongest engineers, studied all of Europe's latest engineering achievements, and reported everything to his father in long-detailed letters. Letters in return from Papa Roebling were of very disheartening... Well, the fools, the dull wizards underhead. Washington, what is it? More trouble about the breeze. Father writes for his plan for using steel wire instead of iron as a roused violent opposition. People are saying that the only reason he's so eager to build the bridge is because his son's own a wire factory. Don't be upset, darling. There will always be small-minded people who spread ugly rumors. They won't stop your father. No, but Emily, he says New York is calling the whole project fantastic and impractical. Is he... is God? He hasn't stopped making me survey. Oh, no, not Father. He said he's asked seven leading engineers to review his plans and to make special trips to examine the Cincinnati Niagara bridges. Oh, I should be there with Father. I know how you feel, dear, but... he needs you more right here, doing just what you're doing. But there's so many people there in New York working to defeat the bridge, even before construction gets underway. They won't succeed, and you must go on with this tour because the bridge will be built. It must be. Our baby was born in New Housing and quickly dawn-robelling the second. My husband visited the steelworks at Essie, Germany, and in Birmingham, England, and found the new material superior in every way to iron. Then, with drawings and details of the new construction methods, we returned to New York, where Washington immersed himself in a full year of work as aid to his father in protecting the plans for the bridge. Then, just as Papa Roebling was completing his survey, he was badly injured. Hurry, Sliver. Hurry! Colonel Paine, how did this happen? Your father and I were making a survey to determine the exact location of the Brooklyn Tower. Yes. I was on the transit. He was standing on a cluster of piling near the full ferry. Flip receiving my signal. Yes, but what happened? Well, he was so engrossed in the work that he didn't notice the ferry approaching. He crashed heavily into the piling, and his foot was crushed. Oh, I'm glad you took him to our place. Emily can look after him. Put him to doctor's aid. They were preparing to amputate the foot when I left, trying to convince your father to permit the use of an anesthetic. And, of course, he wouldn't stand for it. You know, he's prejudiced against conventional medicine. Yeah. Driver faster. Flip up the horses! Mrs. Roebling, you may be able to make him take his medicine. He has locked on now, and without it, I would despair of saving his life. Oh, I'll do the best I can. Come. Come, Papa Roebling. Please. Just one teaspoon full of this medicine. It'll ease the pain. Emily, I prescribe my own treatment. I'm not afraid of pain. Oh, but Papa Roebling... You're a good nurse, Emily, but you should be with your baby. She's well cared for, Papa. Now it's you that needs care. I'm like a healthy child. My sweet Emily. You are like a daughter of my own. Washington is lucky to have a wife like you. My son... Washington? Right here beside your father. Son... You've got your army in my place. I should not survive this on to you. You will, father. I haven't a slightest doubt. Work on the bridge may be delayed a few months. Son, you have worked with me. I know the plans for the bridge. Yes, father. Good. Let the construction work begin. Emily. Yes, father. You will see that the bridge... He must complete my task. I will not be there to see it. But I know when it is done, the bridge will be upon it. The bridge will be beautiful. An ancient tradition has come down across the century. The bridge demands a life. Our bridge accepted its tragic toll. At the end of his long fight, within sight of his goal, John Robling, scientist, engineer, and man of vision, passed away. He had entrusted the bridge to his son, Washington. And the board of directors appointed my husband, Chief Engineer, in his father's place. Through this task, he devoted his strength, his career, his life. The base will have to support a weight of 80,000 tons. The roof of the case must have adequate strength. Oh, Emily. Yes, I've made you some hot tea, dear. What time is it? Almost so late. Oh, you should be in bed, dear. So should you. Now I'm going to sit right here until you drink this. Emily, I don't know what to do. This new method of building deep foundations underwater, there's a little known about it. And yet, in order to erect the two towers in the river, we've got to have firm and deep supports. Well, just what is the new method? Well, we build a pneumatic capon. You might call it an enormous wooden diving bell. An airtight box for the roof and sides, but no bottom, where the men can work underwater. Well, but if it has no bottom, what keeps the water from rushing in? Compressed air, which is constantly pumped into the chamber. Oh. You see, the object has to sink the case far beneath the river, digging away the mud and boulders until it rests on a firm foundation. Then fill it with concrete. Oh, jeez. At the same time, we'll be building tens of thousands of tons of masonry on the roof of the case. These will be the towers that rise far above the surface of the water. And from which the suspension cables will be trung. Exactly. Emily, my dear, you'll become a bridge builder by containment. The first case was built in St. John's under the East River. My husband was the first man to enter the underwater chamber to make certain that he's safe for the workmen. Every step of the construction was a question mark and a hazard, and Washington met each one with ingenuity and courage. As the Brooklyn power neared completion, work was begun on the New York side. Here layers of quicksand had to be conquered, and the men had to penetrate to an underwater depth twice as great as that on the Brooklyn side. And then the cruelest hazard of all, the dread and mysterious case and disease struck at the men, gripping them in agonizing paralysis. But Dr. Smith, isn't there something we can do? Colonel Roebling, we know practically nothing about this strange matter. We accept that it's connected with working under high air pressure, and that it usually strikes the men as they emerge from the compressed air chambers. Oh, Washington, have you had your lunch? Emily, what are you doing down here? Mrs. Roebling asked me how she could help, and I asked her assistance in serving hot coffee to each man as soon as he comes out of the case. And it seems to help, Doctor. Good. Dr. Smith, if medical science is powerless to find the remedy, then we must increase our precaution. Colonel Roebling, Colonel Roebling. That's Martin, but it's a bad news, sir. I just got word from John Myers, huh? John Myers? Is that the man I sent home this morning when he came out of the case? Yes, Dr. Smith. He's... he's dead. Washington, you must stop blaming yourself. The worst of it is there'll be others. We can't flip the finger to stop it. But many of them have already recovered, and Heaven knows you've done everything, everything. You saw the editorial in the evening paper? A case of criminal negligence. But you can prove that it wasn't. You engage Dr. Smith to be at the bridge every day, long before the first case occurred. Emily, I'd better prepare a report to the public at once. Now? Oh, but it's so late. You have such a wearing day. No, Emily. It must be done now. I'll be in my study. Please see that I'm not disturbed. Yes, I'm coming. Oh, Martin. Where's the Colonel, Mrs. Roebling? In his study. He asked not to be disturbed. But there's a fire in the cases. A fire? Under the East River? The entire timbering's in danger. If it burns, the whole collar will collapse. Carbonic acid gas doesn't work. They need more pressure on the hoses. All right, I'll give it to them. More pressure on the hoses. Fire's got inside the timbering. I just thought, if anyone knows. Some John's fool kept his lunch on top of one of the timbers and went to look for it with a candle. Coming through. Hey, Redden. I can't get out of the case and again. The Colonel gave strict orders. No man was to be down there for more than half an hour to stretch. But the Colonel himself seemed down there for seven hours. Martin? Martin, is that true? Has he been down there that long? Mrs. Roebling, you shouldn't be here. You're liable to get hurt. Martin, we can't let him do this. Please go down and bring him up. Please. All right. Put the fire out except for the inside before it's close to the timber. Colonel, you've been down here over seven hours. Do you want to get the case and then? Come on. Mrs. Roebling is waiting for you upstairs. Emily? Yes. All right. I'll go up. But if you can't get us those timbers with the hoses, what's the case? Here he is, Mrs. Roebling. Washington? Oh, my goodness. No, Emily. There was no reason for you to be here. Washington? All right. I'm just... Emily. Emily? Listening to Claire Trevor is Emily Warren Roebling in the builders of the bridge on the cavalcade of America sponsored by the DuPont Company, maker of better things for better living through chemistry. The age of 35, my husband, Colonel Washington Roebling, chief engineer for the Brooklyn Bridge was struck down by the case and disease, painfully paralyzed, doomed to lifelong suffering. In 1872, there was no remedy, no hope of recovery. Only the terrible knowledge that his sight and hearing would grow steadily worse and that every hour would be tortured with pain. But his mind was not affected. In fact, it seemed to me he was suffering quicker than ever before, driven by a divine urge to change the bridge. Emily, my instructions for the work on the bridge are so incomplete. No one will be able to follow them if I die. He won't, Val. He will finish the bridge. My dear, how can I help with cripple confine to this room unable to watch? Listen to me, darling. I'm only a woman I know. I can be your kid, your hand, your voice. I will go to the bridge every day. Give the men your instructions. See the desk power to the letter. Emily, you... you know nothing about engineering. But I can learn if you'll help me. Teach me what I have to know. So much. Higher mathematics, stress analysis, bridge specific... I'll learn and I'll be your messenger. Here from this very window you can watch the building of the towers, the springing of the cables. Your brain will direct the man. Your spirit will inspire them. Darling, you will finish the bridge. You will. Emily, we will. And Martin, Yes. These are Colonel Robbins' instructions for the boom barracks. Once they're in place, they must be inspected daily by the foreman in charge of the river. Gentlemen, these are Colonel Robbins' plans for the masonry anchorages to be constructed at the indicated distance forward from each tower. Mr. Farrington. Yes, ma'am. These plans show the equipment that Colonel Robbins wanted to set up for the spinning of the cables. Last year, Martin was down there. Is he worried about the storm? Terribly. He says almost every dust and water on each river has been blown down and the wind is still rising. Darling, the bridge will stand. The bridge did weather the pierce storm of 1878, but suddenly it was facing another storm. A rising storm of public opposition. They've already exceeded the funds fixed by the legislature, and now they're asking for more. And all of a sudden they need 1,000 additional tons of steel. Or isn't it a little late to be making that discovery? Just what is this? Blunder or plunder? Why isn't the chief engineer himself here to explain? Yes, why isn't it? Gentlemen, with a well-known fact that Colonel Robbins is an invalid, unable to leave his room, then he has no business being chief engineer of the bridge. Absolutely. I move that Colonel Robbins be requested to be present at the next board meeting. And that whether he appears or not, we appoint another engineer in his place. Emily, they can't take the bridge away from us. I'll tell them so myself at the next board meeting. My dear, for your own sake, I can't allow you to attend it. You'll have to write them another letter. No, Emily, this time a letter will not be enough. These accusations, these suspicions must be answered personally. Washington, for 10 years, I've been your messenger. If you tell me what you want to say, I'll appear at that meeting for you. That is, if you have enough faith in me. Emily, dear, if I have as much faith in you as I have in the magnificent plans of my father. Oh, darling. That is white. Why isn't he here himself? What can a woman know of these things? Of course. Gentlemen, gentlemen, please. This is Robbins. Gentlemen, my husband has asked me to tell you this. It will be impossible to complete the bridge for the sum total originally estimated. Yes, sir. I know. Yes, sir. The design of the bridge has been widened to 85 feet in two tracks for horse cars added. Labor costs have risen, and the price of iron and steel have greatly advanced. Well, what about this 1,000 extra tons of steel? What's the excuse for that? Colonel Rogling has no excuse. He has reason. The additional steel is necessary because Colonel Rogling has been authorized by a member of this very board. He strengthens the structure so that a train of heavy pullman cars might be run over it with absolute faith. Mrs. Rogling speaks the truth. I, uh, I, uh, I so authorize the chief engineer. Uh, Mrs. Rogling, would it not be better for Colonel Rogling's state of, uh, of health if he were to be relieved of his enormous responsibility? Sir, Colonel Rogling would be deeply touched by your concern. As for staring his health, gentlemen, through 12 years of bitter trial and constant suffering, he has carried the project successfully forward. Now, after all his work, it's proposed to take the bridge away from him only nine months before it's completed. Gentlemen, the injustice of this proposal must be evident to you. The bridge is Colonel Rogling's by right of inheritance, by right of his own labor, and by right of his own sacrifice. Well, gentlemen, we doubted the stability of our bridge. This is the first official crossing at the roadway level. Now, what do you think? We're only walking on planks, and yet there's no swaying. Everything's so massive or solid. Wouldn't you like to consult with your engineer? Well, how about it, Mr. Field? What's your professional opinion? Sir, I call it the engineering triumph of the age. It will mark a new era in the science and art of bridge building. Mrs. Rogling, our doubts have been cleared away. We have confidence in the bridge. And in Colonel Rogling. Oh, thank you, gentlemen. Thank you very much. Mr. Field. Yes, that's it. Thank you, Mrs. Rogling. Are you signaling someone? Yes, Mr. Field. You see, my husband is watching us through a steel glass, isn't he? I want him to know of it. All is well. On May 24th, 1883, 13 years after the first case in which John Rogling had given his life the bridge to which John Rogling had given his life, and Washington Rogling, his strength, was completed. A gala celebration was arranged to mark the opening, and Washington and I watched from his window. Emily, we waited 13 years for the tower. Yes. Look, here in the headlines, the Brooklyn Eagle calls it the eighth wonder of the world, and hastens to add eight in time, but not insignificant. They're starving across. Here, use your biographic. Yes. There they are, Emily. President Arte. And Governor Cleveland. They're leading the procession across the span. There go the guns. That's a loop to the Brooklyn Bridge. Emily, I... take the glasses, my dear. Can't help thinking, Father, if you could only be here to see us. The bridge is beautiful. Just like Corporal Rogling said it would be. What are they doing now, Emily? They're crossing to the Brooklyn side for peaches, hostility, and then they will come here, the Governor and the President of the United States. Yes. To this house? Yes. They want to tell you things the whole world is saying about you. Without you, Emily, the bridge could not have been built. Without you, I would not have been. Oh, my dear. And if the Governor and the President of the world do not already know it, I shall tell them. Yes, Emily. Whether the official records say so or not, you too are a builder of the bridge. The star-clared lever will return to our capital-cade microphone in just a moment. Now, here is Gaines Whitman. The whole world celebrates a happy birthday this week. Today, November 5th, opens a nationwide observance for the 50th anniversary of a great healing discovery, the X-rays. These mysterious rays that shine like invisible lights through a man's body or a metal casting have been observed in the United States at the University of Pennsylvania before 1895. But it was a German scientist, Wilhelm Konrad Röntgen, who recognized them for what they were. In his darkened laboratory, watching a fluorescent screen glow and flicker when no visible night rays were there striking against it, Wilhelm Röntgen realized that he had come up on a new kind of ray. And to this day, in his honor, experts in the field call it the Röntgen ray. Many people 50 years ago didn't believe in the discovery at all. Some laughed at it, others were indignant and even angry. They thought burglars with X-ray spectacles would steer through their walls and spy out the family's silver. But the medical profession realized at once that an instrument which could let them look into the human body would help them immeasurably in their age-old battle against disease. And they were right. No one can say how many of us are alive and well today, who might not be if it weren't for the friendly X-rays. Modern X-ray machines range from the small units with which dentists examine teeth to million-volt giants. And a hundred million-volt machine may appear before long. Portable instruments throughout the war help surgeons in front-line dressing stations to locate bullets and shrapnel in wounded men. Important metal products, such as airplane parts, are radiographed to detect flaws. Studying the way X-rays bend and turn as they pass through different materials, scientists have gained new knowledge from which improvements have come in many products you use every day. Motor oil for your car, steel household products and even cardboard packages. The DuPont Company manufactures X-ray films and developers, X-ray fluoroscopic and intensifying screens that have long been accepted by the profession as noteworthy members of the DuPont family of better things for better living through chemistry. And now, here is the star of tonight's DuPont Cavalcade, Claire Trevor. There's another kind of Cavalcade which starts out tonight, a Cavalcade of five special victory-loan planes, which will visit 40 states on behalf of the Victory-Bond Campaign. These planes, sponsored by the Army Ground Forces, the Navy and Marine Corps, are carrying valuable historical displays of German and Japanese surrender documents, radar equipment, rare guns and other battle material with which the Allied nations won their victory. Through the wholehearted cooperation of the 50 American railroads, which have made these victory-loan tours possible, the trains will be on public exhibits throughout the country until December 16th. See one of them if you can. And in any case, help to pay off your debts to our fighting men by investing every extra dollar in Victory-Bond. Next week, the DuPont Cavalcade is planned a really extra special show for you. Our star will be Colonel James Stewart. Jimmy will star in a touching and humorous story of a man who loved horses. Loved them so much that he took a saddle right along with him when he went into the Navy. We'll be listening next week for A Sailor Who Had to Have a Horse, starring James Stewart on the DuPont Cavalcade of America. Claire Trevor is currently starring in the RKO Radio production Johnny Angel. The part of Washington Roebling was played by Frank Graves. The music for tonight's DuPont Cavalcade was composed and conducted by Robert Armbruster. Our Cavalcade play was written by Facilla Kent and was based on the biography by B.B. Steinman. This is Tom Collins inviting you to listen next week to James Stewart in The Sailor Who Had to Have a Horse on the Cavalcade of America brought to you by the DuPont Company of Wilmington, Delaware. This is the National Broadcasting Company.