Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-20

additional Enclosure formed an important part
OF the record, and affords valuable part Of
the history Of the project, an individual plan
submitted by Capt. Symons Of the engineer
corps, then assistant to the Engineer Commits
sioner Of the District, which will be mentioned
in another part Of this article.
In his letter Gen. Newton said: "The pro-
posed structure. whether viewed from a local
or national standpoint would involve inter-
ests Of such magnitude and importance as to
demand in my Judgment, the careful consider
alton of amixed board of engineers whose duty
it should be TO give the plans to be adopted for
its construction the fullest and most careful
consideration, and it is recommended, should
Congress provide for its construction, that
such board be authorized"
COL HAMS TWO PLANS.
Col. Hams submitted two plans for draw
bridge, differing mainly in point Of cost In
his report to the chief Of engineers he said:
''The expediency Of constructing such bridge
as the resolution calls for has been discussed
for several years without apparently develop
ing dissenting opinion Indeed, no argument
is needed to show the expediency Of bridge
of some kind other than glance at the maps
OF Washington and Georgetown harbors. The
filling OF the Potomac flats will reclaim an area
Of about $50 acres of land along the river
front on the Washington side. From the Capt.
tol to the monument grounds there is already
an area of 373 acres of public land laid out in
parking, 10 WHICH tne reclaimed HAAS Will be
connected. A bridge from the latter to Airing
ton will connect the whole system. Arlington
cemetery, where the remains of SO many gallant
soldiers OF the Union rest, is a place of resort
Of the majority of visitors to the national capi-
tai, and would be to many people of the Dis
trict if there were better facilities for reaching
it. The route by way of the Long bridge is so
long that it il almost impracticable to pedes-
TRANS 1t is unsafe for carriages drawn by
spirited horses, and is too narrow to afford
proper facilities. The route by way Of the
Aqueduet is but little better. and in its present
condition less safe; BESIDES it is not govern
ment bridge and annoying tolls are exacted
from every one crossing it."
Since this report written the Aqueduc
bridge has been rebuilt by the government and
Is now free to all who cross it, 80 that this
point in Col Hams argument is Of NO avail al
present
NEW YORK AVENUE EXTENDED.
"a short line of communication" he con
tinued, that would be available to pedestrians
as we'll as for those who ride is very desirable.
The shortest and least expensive route is that
indicated on the accompanying chart This
line ID almost direct prolongation of New
York avenue and would place the bridge about
midway between the Aqueduct and Long
bridges, so that whether the Aqueduct be made
nee bridge or not this would be q desirable
improvement
1.-The only question is. what shall be the char
acter OF the bridge2 There is no limit to the
number Of different kinds of bridges that are
practicable and that will not materially affect
the navigation of the river. bridge some
what ornamental in design, with a wide draw
built on stone piers, with wide spans, SO as to
allow ample area for the discharge of freshets,
would seem to meet all actual wants.
such structure would cost comparatively
small sum Of money; but if the bridge be de.
signed as monumental structure il can only
be done at considerable increase Of cost.
II have had made an accurate cross section
OF the river bed along the line Of the proposed
bridge and a number Of borings to determine
the depth to solid rock. The depth Of rock
from the surface varies from twenty eight to
forty-two feet The conditions arc therefore
favorable for the erection Of heavy structure.
HIS PLAN FOR A BRIDGE.
THE plan Of the bridge that would pro.
| pose is that Of an iron truss with four spans of
about 300 feet each, the second span from the
Washington city side to be pivot draw. The
draw will thus be in the deepest water, easy oil
access and directly in the channel way of the
river. the bridge to have carriageway twenty.
four feet wide and two sidewalks, each eight
feet wide The main bridge structure will bt
about 200 feet long. the approach on the
| Washington side to be by a roadway on an EN-
bankment, with a grade Of about three feet i,
| 100. Analostan Island and the bed of Little
river could be crossed partly by an embark
ment and partly by open trestle supporting the
| roadway the proportion of embankment ant
| trestle work to be SO calculated as to give ar
! open area sufficient, in addition to the area il
the main river, to discharge the highest fresh
1