Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-01
THE PROPOSED FREE BRIDGE.
An Omlcial Expedition to the Site Sug.
gested for IL.


SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND DISTRICT
OFFICIALS INSPECT THE AQUEDucr AND THE
THREE SISTERS sITE-rHE COST AND OTHER
DETAILS OF THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
LEGISLATION.
Late yesterday afternoon the steam tug Dixie
lay alongside the Potomac Boat Clubhouse,
iazily putting and alternately wheeling As II
her machinery was suffering with a cold. At
haifpast B the party whom she had been en-
gagged to transport to the site Of the proposed
free bridge arrived and embarked. 1t consisted
OF District Commissioners W. bb, wheatley and
Ludlow, Health officer Townshend, Represen-
tatives Barbour ana Rowell, of the House Dis
trict committee, and Mr.. Scott. clerk OF that
committee Senator Riddeberger a member OF
the Senate District committee and author of
the Tree bride bill; Messrs. Glenn. Howard, Dor
sey and VIM. Clagett, Marshal Wilson, Ed.
White and other gentlemen. Once upon the
was keenly felt, and overcoats were buttoned
10 the chin. The tug, putting and snorting, as
If her every effort was labored, slowly, quite
SLOWLY crept up the river. In passing
THE AQUEDUCr BRIDGE,
that structure was scanned and the solid ap-
pearance OF its piers commented upon. The
superstructure was unanimously voted worth
less, ana the opinion was freely expressed that
unless II De either condemned or renewed there
Is danger oil It's coiiapsing.
THE THREE SISTERS.
AS the Three Sisters were neared the advan.
tages OF bridge at that point were described
On the District side, it was planned the bridge
could span the canal and rest upon the high
ground, leaving ample room for uninterrupted
canal traffic and for the passage OF vehicles
along the road running parallel with the canal
On the Virginia side, about three or four hum
dred yards above Hotzman's summer landing
the southern terminus of the bridge is to rest
one gentleman saddened the party by an
nouncing that that locality in the river derived
la fan fh.,t SS,,a~ lx,.,
ters of West Washington were drowned there
he was pressed for the distressing details but
at That luncture several dozen bottles of beer,
huge piles. OF sandwiches and several bottles
bearing the mysterious label, "Old Maryland
Club" were produced. The attention of the
party was Immediately diverted from the sad
fate OF the three beautiful sisters and the gen.
teman who had caused the depressing infiu-
ence manifested his superior intelligence by
declaring that he understood that puzzling
label. Glasses We're circulated, and within a
lew moments all the party knew as much about
the contents of the bottles as the knowing gen.
tleman. THE STAR reporter was SO provoked at
being deprived Of listening to the recital OF the
manner In which three lovely sisters found q
watery grave that he declined to participate in
this diffusion OF knowledge. 1t was a sore pun
ishment to himself, but he felt bound to show
his resentment in some manner. The tug crept
along up to the Chain bridge, the beer and
sandwiches disappearing meanwhile.
THE VIRGINIA SIDE.
Upon the return trip the party landed at
HoltZman's and examined the location of the
projected southern terminus of the bridge
Here it will be necessary to grade a road to the
county road which leads to Fairfax. There is
misunderstanding from the plateau above and
along which a small stream OF water pours By
taking advantage of this, it is estimated that
the cost OF the grading would be materially re-
duced. However, it is stated, the construction
OF The roadway would be left to Virginia. as it
would be her duty to provide means of access
Aside from the Aqueduct bridge site, it was
unanimously agreed that the Three Sisters
nf 10 1S,<.nt
bridge, and with few exceptions the party
seemed to think that new bridge there would
Aqueduct piers. The obstacles In the way of
obtaln1ng8 perfect title to the AQueduct bridge
werediscussed. Thatquestion has been inquired
into, and what with the complications growing
out OF hypOthecating stock that was subse.
quently forfeited, the mixed ownership and
| the lease, it was admitted that it would proba-
bly, require considerable time and perhaps re-
sort to the courts to procure q title satisfactory
10 10 the government In fact, some, among
that title that would warrant the government
In expanding the money necessary to construct
good bridge can be procured.
Enthusiastic in behalf of O free bridge the
party landed upon their return at 1870 o o'clock
THE RIDDLEBERGER BILL,
which passed the Senate last December and is
now pending in the House committee, directs
| the Secretary OF War to acquire a title in fee
simple, tree from all liens and claims, to the
Aqueduct bridge, and all the rights and fran.
chises connected herewith, ii that can be
done, for e sum not to exceed $685.
Title ha n is d re sVs Il, OF securing such
and it is provided that it shall be maintained
as "a free bridge. For the entire expense the
be charged to the District OF Columbia.
If perfect title cannot be had to the Aque-
duct bridge within ninety days from the pass
age of the act, the bill directs the Secretary of
War to have constructed at the Three Sisters a
substantial iron and masonry bridge, with APP
proaches, and for this purpose an appropriation
of $22O,O is provided. and this amount is 10
include the bridging of the canal. One-fourth
OF this outlay Is to be charged to the District.
of the river at the Three Sisters be made and
| makes $4,000 available for this purpose, A
admit OF the Tree passage OF vessels.
THE ACT OF 1881.
In 1881 Congress passed an act authorizing
the construction of a free bridge at or near
Georgetown, but limited the total cost to
$14O,O 00 Efforts to purchase the Auueduct
bridge failed, and the Three Sisters site, after
careful surveys and measurements had been
made, was selected as the most available. Pro.
pOsals were received, and 1T was ascertained
that bridge of proper dimensions and sub
! stantial character could not be constructed for
the money. Secretary Lincoln recommended
| an additional appropriation of $4,000, it
having been demonstrated that a suitable
bridge could not be constructed for less than
S22O,OOO One proposal was received to build
bridge for s14O,0O0, but Gen. Wright. chief
of engineers, reported that the structure pro-
posed would not be sufficient in strength. He
estimated that substantial and durable bridge
could not be placed at the Three Sisters for less
than $201 900. This sum, he said, would pro-
vide a "deck BRIDGE" but he considered q
Through bridge" far preferable, and that could
not be built tor less than S220,OOO.
THE THREE SISTERS SITE.
The river in the vicinity OF Georgetown is mar
rowest at the Three Sisters and that is one de-
cided feature urged In favor of the location. The
total length of the bridge there, over both river
and canal, will be about !, Il SO feet. The depth
to rock at the position OF the piers will prob
ably vary from Is to % feet. But little expense
Will be required for the approaches at the ends
of the bridge. On the Virginia shore, should
the road be carried along the bluff to the south
end Of the Aqueduct and there connect with tho
county road, its length would be about $500
feet, with grade OF three feet to the hundred;
If carried along the plateau above the distance
would be $500 feet, and II carried up the ravine
already described the distance would be about
the same-6,60 feet.
THE COST OF A BRIDGE
All the army engineers who have ever con.
sidered the subject protested against anything
but substantial, durable bridge. Major
Aberts estimate Of the lowest cost Of such q
structure was as follows: Masonry, ST., 500;
cofter-dam, $4,000; approaches, $4,000;
snperstructure, $7S,500; contingencies, S14,-
600. Total, SOL 900.
He added that his estimate for q bridge with
iron structure above grade, with piers sixty