Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-09

COL HAMS rwo PLANS.
The two plans submitted by Col. Hams for
the project differed only in style. One was for
a series Of iron trusses built upon metal piers
and the other was for a succession of stone
arches serving the same purpose. The latter
plan was the more graceful Of the two. There
was to be gradual rise until the overhead
truss bridge across the main channel of the
river was reached. when the rails would be
twenty-four feet above the river. The bridge
was to be provided with a draw, as now. 1t
was to be wholly new. out of the line OF the
present structure. In fact. that was one OBJ
Ject OF the project, to straghten out the
line that is now followed. and which necessi-
tates awkward curves in the roads at both ends
OF the bridge.
The highway or wagon road on the flats WIS
to run parallel with the elevated railroad until
the main channel was nearly reached. when it
was to be bent SO as to join the railroad and
cross the river on the new bridge, which was
to be built wide enough to accommodate both.
The estimate for this project was for 81 $50, 0OO
Tor the elevated railroad and the bridge and
$4,000 for the highway across the flats.
The plans included new bridges across the
Washington channel of the river, that small
arm of water that connects the actual channel
with the outlet of the tidal reservoir. This
channel is no longer in use and draws are
therefore not necessary.
there was no action taken upon this report,
and the subject remained problem for future
settlement. No steps were taken by either the
railroad or the government until last summer,
when, early In July. the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company made application to the Secretary of
war Tor permission to repair, or rather to re-
place the existing bridge across the Washington
channel, which was so much ro.ted as to render
Its further use unsafe. The application was re-
ferred to Col. Hains, who reported promptly
upon it, recommending that it be acted upon
favorably. Accordingly permission was given
to the company by the War Department to re-
place the old wooden draw with an iron
structure.
Col. Hams in his report said that there was
urgent need OF the repairs and urged that the
new bridge be built. He said further that
there was nothing In the plan of the company
that would Interfere in any way with the
project submitted by him III the spring OF 1880
for an elevated railroad across the flats, SO
long as the new bridge was constructed at the
proper height The company, in choosing be-
tween the two alternative plans suggested by
Col. Hams III $780, selected that of iron con-
strucuon, merely substituting u solid girder
Tor lattice, as was shown in Col. Hams draw
ings
Work on this bridge was begun in the sum-
mer and it has just about been finished. There
was no interruption to the traffic while this was
going on and today the old wooden bridge Is
gone and In Its place is solid structure of iron
far more substantial and with space for two
more tracks than the old bridge accommo-
dated.
THE MEANING OF THE PRESENT BILL.
Viewed in the light of the present bill, it
would seem to be apparent that the railroad
company realizes the value Of the suggestion
made by Col. Hams that the wagon road be
separated from the railroad, but is not willing
to accept the plan of an elevated structure
across the flats. which would necessarily limit
the track room afforded. 1t is thought by Off
GERS OF the department that the Interior object
behind this legislation, as in many another case
In the past. Is the complete possession of a
bridge across the flats without the incumbrance
OF wagon road and with no limits to the num-
Der OF tracks that can be built