Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-03-21


VIEWS OF A BUSINESS NAN
To the Editor of THE EVENING star:
VIII you kindly allow me 10 state that, nOtwtth-
standing the apparent disposition to sauabble
about the site for the proposed free bridge across
the Potomac, / think there is a remarkable de-
gree OF unanimty among those who are particu-
larry interested in the construction said bridge
While some OF us might suggest different route If
the matter were left TO our Individual choice, all
trust are willing to yield their personal interest in
the matter for the sake OF free bridge.
AS the sum OF $4,000 has already been appro-
priated. and the Hon. Secretary OF War has called
s2on CONGRESS for an additional nal appropraoa Of
seems to that it would be the height OF folly Tor
US TO intrnde our individual wishes further in this
important matter.
We all want free bridge. and as the Three
Sisters site IS fixed upon by the highest authorities,
and bridge will cost less there than at any other
point. for Heavens sake. gentlemen lawmakers.
give 1t to us, we beseech you and give it to with
out further squabble or delay.
The site of the Three Sisters Is doubt one Of
the best in the vicinity OF Washington. and the
approach by the way OF Spout run and its trtbuJa-
ries one OF the most desirable. and unquestonably
the easiest grade to the national capital from
the Virginia side. The old road up the ravine is
still there and almost solid PENNSYLVANIA
nue. to-day over this route came the products Of
many years; but, alas. new conner having pur-
chased the land closed up the old road and LETT the
from which they have never fully recovered, and
they now hail with JOY the prospect OF free bridge
TO connect with their old and favore OF other
days.
In the care OF Senator Rddleberger we learn
there are petitions from the people OF all the north
thriving village of Falls Church, also from various
points In Fairfax county. including Herndon Vi
emma and Fairfax Court House, unanimously signed
IN favor of the Three Sisters route. and the Is
true OF the business men OF West Washington and
the merchants along Pennsy lvania avenue and 9TH
and 9Th streets all have signed favorable to the
Three Sisters route.
Then from whence comes this opposition to the
proposed free bridge" From none other, we claim.
than that Aqueduct Toll Bridge CO. and its friends
In and out OF Congress 1t must be they who are
Slulbbllng for free bridge at G. street. which will
cost quite s4oo.Wa at the time deploring the
expense OF one at the Three Sisters though 1t will
cost put little more than half that amount. 1t
must be they who are trying to defeat the free
Well knowing that ii is subject OF litigation, the
title to which may be undecided for many years
Yet To come
1t must be they who are claiming that the
amount to be appropriated Will be insufficient for
the erection and completion OF said bridge, thus
tagonZlng the Judgment OF the highest authority
In the land Major Gen. Wright. late chief OF engi-
neers I. = A. 1t Is they who to-day are demanding
that the whole people OF tie District Of Columbia
ana those OF the Virginia side accept Of their terms,
or again s,lf1er the defeat OF our free bridge bill at
their hands. And their stands that old dlapidated
doll bridge to-day apparently as hungry as ever.
destroying our business prospects by shutting out
from us and retarding the development OF one OF
the most extensive suburbs about the whole city of
Washington.
"Can such things be (here at the capital OF the
finest and grandest nation In the worldl and over
come us like summer cloud without our special
WOndei?' Why. gentlemen, business men, awake,
take down your SchOO-DOy atlas OF other days;
turn TO the map OF the grand Old state OF Virginia.
and see What is in store for you there, and
awaiting your development. Right at your very
doors. between the waters Of the Potomac
Ridge mountains. lie ten counties of more
than two thousand square miles in extent {.
capable OF sustaining, when It's soil. water power
ana mineral resources fully developed, half a
million inhabitantS.. Was ever city blessed in
prospective with finer suburb than this? And yet
loOh AT 1t to-day, deSolated shut out from US by
that old tOll-bridge Its people reduced to penlry
ana despair, MANY having already sold what little
they had at ruinous figure and turned their backs
present bridge Dil is defeated and where fields or
golden wheat should wave we behold the Sedge-
grass and Stunted pine And IL such refrOgitde
progress IS continued for another decade. may not
the wolf come back to the western bank of the PO-
tonac once more and howl over the degradation OF
our stupidity and neglect?
Then. business men, once more Ipray you, awake.
Inc free-bridge Dill pure and simple without a par
tcle OF Aqlcduct in it, must be passed and the
bridge built without furt her delay. While wealt
and culture OF the nation Is naS>ng here and build
Ing up the grandeSt city in the world. our business
HnguiSheS because this immense suburb Is barred
from us and its development retarded hy the
fMttOnS diSguce-that dllapdated Old tOll-bridge
Then, one and ALL on to the capital and stand nv
ana encourage the friends OF the bill The AulPl-
duct tOll-bridge company there before u.s. and
fret-bridge bill. II must not Dr. and our efforts
should not be relaxed until the passage OF the bill
Is secured and the bridge pushed To completion.
BUSINESS MAN