Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-30

AASS1 improvements.
A Proposed Potomac Bridge.
A chapter Of the report, that will un-
doubtedly be received with great favor in
the District, contains a recommendation for
the construction of a memorial bridge from
Washington to Potomac Heights. 1t is as
follows:
The need of increased transportation IA
cilities between the seat of government and
the Virginia shore has long been recognized,
but has not been met. Another bridge
across the Potomac from Washington 10
Potomac Heights is required for the ordi-
nary purposes Of travel and commerce, to
render speedily accessible the principal mil
itary post of the capital, Fort Myer, and.
above all, as a convenient and suitable APP
proach from the city to the National Gem
etery at Arlington.
while serving purposes of utility and con-
coded necessity, such a structure would be
of memorial character, befitting the beau
tiful and sacred ground to which it would
lead. and in ultimate decoration symbol
izing valor. devotion to conviction, self
sacrifice and all the marked qualities Of
the nation, displayed in strong lights and
shadows on both sides of the Potomac.
Nature and man have Joined to create here
the surroundings to make such a memorial
structure unique and impressive. Seldom is
conceded commercial necessity so reinforced
by considerations of patriotism and rev.
erence In support of desirable public i'm
provement."
Monuments in Warrington.
In a chapter on monumen:s in Washing
ton the Secretary says:
THE commission appointed by Congress to
select a site and supervise the erection of a
statue to the late Maj. Gen. John A. Logan,
acting in conjunction with a committee
representing the Society of the Army of the
Tennessee, has adopted a model of a bronze
equestrian statue and pedestal. The total
cost of the statue, including pedestal, foun-
dalton and base, will be $4,000, of which
the sum of $4,000 is to be raised by con-
tributiOnS from other sources.
THE commission appointed to select
site and supervise the erection of the pedes-
tai for a statue of the late Gen. Philip ii.
Sheridan has selected as a suitable site the
small plat of ground at the intersection of
Pennsylvania avenue and E street north
west Definite action in regard to the statue
has been deferred to await the result OF
efforts to increase by private subscription
the amount appropriated by Congress.
1T has been found necessary to abandon
the site originally selected for the pro-
posed statue of the late Maj. Gen. w. S.
Hancock, at the junction of 10th and U
streets and New Hampshire avenue. known
as Hancock Circle, and the commission
will not enter into any contract for the
erection of the statue until a new site has
been selected.
IAN act Of Congress approved July 5. 1892,
appropriated the sum of $4,000 for the
preparation Of a site and the erection OF
pedestal for a statue of the late Gen. w. T.
Sherman, but no action in the matter has
yet been TAKEN pending the selection OF a
site"
The Ford's Theater Disaster.
Secretary Lamont says the work of the
record and pension office has progressed so
far that a reduction of $345, 900 has been
made in the estimate for it's main tcnance
for the coming year. He quotes in full
Col. Ainsworth's report of the calamity at
Ford's Theater building June last, and
says he earnestly concurs in his recon-
mendation that the families of those who
lost their lives and the clerks who were
seriously injured be generously dealt with
by the government. On this point the Sec
rotary says:
1.-The department has extended to the en-
ployes who were injured the most liberal
consideration which the law permits, but
under the recent opinion Of the Attorney
General sick leaves with pay cannot be
granted for a longer period than sixty
days in any one year. 1t is recommended
that Congress authorize payment to them
Of the full amount of their salaries dur
ing such periods as they may be unable.
by reason of their injuries, to return to
duty unless 1t shall in the meantime Rake
specific provision for them by direct APP
preparation. The payment Of their salaries
during the period of their enforced absence
would require no additional appropriation.
the full amount of such salaries for the
current year having already been appro-
priated by the legislative executive and
judicial appropriation act"
At Gettysburg.
1.-THE work of preserving the lines OF
battle at Gettysburg and of permanently
marking the positions Of he commands OF
both armies there engaged the report
says. rs making satisfactory progress
under the Objection of the commission ap-
pointed for its supervision.
little papers for the purchase of sites
occupied by the regular troops are nearly
perfected, and the positions will soon be
suitably marked.
1.-The state monument erected by New
York was dedicated July 2. 1888, the
thirtieth anniversary Of the battle:
I'm addition to the considerable sums
expended for the preservation of points
Of historic interest in connection with this
field by the Gettysburg Battlefield Me-
and individuals, the sum Of $S63, 81 las
been contributed to the work by states
whose soldiers participated in the battle.
This large outlay has been expended. under
the supervision of the association men,
toned. in the purchase of plots Of land
embracing the leading features Of the bat
tlefield, the construction Of collecting
roads and avenues. and the erection OF
suitable monuments and tablets. In the
absence of any other provision for the
permanent care and maintenance OF this
completed work 1t has been suggested that
the general government might well accept
that charge and assume it's control
The soIdiers' Home.
The report has the following to say about
the Soldiers Home:
1.-The annual report Of the president Of the
board Of commissioners Of the Soldiers
Home at Washington shows 1850 inmates
on the rolls Of that institution on Septem-
Der 80, 1893, the average attendance being
751. The permanent fund of the home has
been reduced $4,000 by excess of expendi-
lures over receipts and at the date of the
report was s2,479,343.32. OF s962s747 re-
ceived by the treasurer for inmate pension
ers all but 1912. 10 was paid to the individual
pensioners. In this connection the report
states:
1.-The commissioners are Of the opinion
that Congress never intended to make the
double provision now fully enjoyed by many
of the inmate pensioners, who are comfort
ably lodged. fed and clothed at the expense
Of the home, while they draw their pen
sions. in some cases amounting to $50 per
month. and spend 1t without being taxed In
makes the home a standing inducement for
pensioners to seek admission thereto. and
while 1t is just and proper that men dis
abled in the service should be pensioned &C
cording to the degree of disability incurred,
1t Is believed to be also proper that pension
ers receiving more than IS per month should