Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-24
The Free Bridge Question.

The Free Bridge Question.
To the Editor OF THE EVENING STAR:
1t is most devoutly to be hoped that the efforts
now being made for free bridge over the
Potomac at the 'Three Sisters will not be frus-
trated by the efforts Of the United States in its
courts in Virginia to secure from Alexandria
stock which should have been delivered In 1887, or
by the delay which will be incident to the passage
OF the bill lately introduced in Congress for
the condemnation Of the piers and aqueduct of
the Alexandria canal for the uses of a bridge.
1t is true that bill has been already filed
looking to the recovery of certain shares of
stock claimed to have been pledged to the United
States as security for advances made by the
Treasury department in 1887 to the construction
OF the Alexandria aqueduct, and with this move
ment it is supposed that the lessees of the Alex
andria canal heartily sympathze. OF these
shares Of stock which the government seeks, a
large part have been passed to other parties If
a few only Of the delays which usually attend
suits involving important interests accompany
this case in it's travels through the courts
Original and appellate no hope can be enter
tanned of early relief in the matter of
free bridge. The bill seeking authority
to condemn the Alexandria agueduct. lately
introduced in Congress, is similar in effect to
presented since the year 1866, and almost iden-
tical with one pending during its last session.
when the act apprOpriating $4,000 for the
bridge now under proposal was passed.
We do not doubt but that the lessees of the
Alexandria aqueduct are entirely in accord with
the scheme of this bill. They now own and
operate toll bridge over which alone certain
parts of Alexandria county can conveniently be
reached.
The canal and aqueduct parts Of its works
(never fully availed of have almost entirely
ceased to be used for the purposes for WI ich de-
signed the small business in coal transhipment
now being conducted in Alexandria being done
by way of the outlet lock above Georgetown
and the Potomac river; and the bridge. so inse-
cure that heavily loaded vehicles hesitate to
pass over it, continues as means of wringing
eXtOriiOnate charges from needy farmers and
others OF moderate MEANS and to Obstruct navi-
cation in water adequate in depth to sustain
the heaviest cOasting vessels which come to this
port, some of which carry 400 tons, as also to
render useless great extent of river frontage
which might otherwise be made productive
1t can therefore be well seen that whether the
new bridge has to await either delay in the
courts or in the Congress of the United States,
the lessees of the Alexandria canal cannot be
hurt SO long as their toll bridge is operated,
and aI1t their oop purpose is evidently for delay.
When IN 1866 it was proposed to condemn the
Aqueduct and to set-Off the damages which
accrue, against the sum which had been in 1887
advanced by the government toits construction,
these same lessees presented their memorial to
Congress, which in earnest tone remonstrance
was made against such high-handed proceed
ing. In that memorial it was cOntended
that no obligation was created for the re-
payment of the 300, 600 advanced, and that the
appropriation was mere gift and that the en-
acthent OF such law would deprive them of
franchise then valued at more than $500 600, for
which franchise these lessees would now gladly
receive @S5, 600, although it is in proof that the
bridge part of their work could have in 1868
been erected for about $4,000. the actual cost
In 1866 to the lessees, as testified to by their
superintendent. being 800. 600. Since that time,
however. the relations of the lessons and lessees
have changed. Then their interests were iden-
tIca now they are diverse. As parties who
knew predicted. the aqueduct has proved fail
ure for the purposes for which built, and the
Alexandria canal, costing about 81 $50 COO at a
time when the bulk of coal transhpment
was carried on at Alexandria, only-yieIding
In twenty years about S45. 000-abOut 81, 900
per annum-has now ceased to earn even that
small revenue. The dlapdation of the work is
apparent, and the lessees fully approaching the
TACT that it is tOtterng to its fall are ready to
unite with and foster any cOercive measure by
which any sum can be saved for them from the
wreck; pending which measures they continue
TO demand tolls from those passing over their
bridge. 1t being therefore evident that no
speedy result can be had either from the pro-
ton is it fair and proper hat longer delay should
be had in affording relief to those who
are SO specially interested? The protest Of those
who are in such need Of a proper approach to
the cities Of the District Of Columbia, after a
struggle for years, secured the passage by the
last Congress of the act appropriating $40, 600
to the construction of free bridge Proposals
were issued, and party entirely responsible,
and willing to accede to all proper conditions
which may be imposed. has offered to do the
work, and it is reasonably expected that his
offer will be accepted. No objection can be
urged to the location of the bridge at the Three
Sisters, it being at a narrow point in the river,
not obstructive Of navigation, and capable
of easy approach both from the govern
ment and private property in Alexandria
county. Just when the expectations of a
long suffering public are about to be realized
further delay is asked and all proceedings are
TO be suspended in the interest of a corporation
whose property is fast becoming valueless, and
during which delay and suspense is continuing
It's practice of extOrt!on, and in whose course Of
action toward it's lessons SOremarkab!e q change
has taken place in latter years.
We hope no such injustice will be done IN this
matter. FREE TRANSIT.