Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-15
DIS STRiCT BRIDGE S
Important Action of the Senate Committee
on Commerce.
A Memorial Bridge From Observa.
tory Hill RecOmmended-Fav
able Reports on 1t.

! on the 18th of October last, the committee
! recommended that the bill be referred to
the committee Of the District OF Columbia
as having further jurisdiction in the case.
Ihis bill directs the Secretary OF war to
make survey, plans and estimates or the
cost or constructing a suitable and sub
stantal bridge with the necessary ap-
proaches from the foot of South Capitol
street or below it to the most available
point across the Eastern branch, and to re-
port his conclusions to Congress. rive
thousand dollars is appropriated for this
purpose The bill is accompanied by letters
from the Secretary of War and Gen. Casey
stating that there are no objections to this
project as far as the War Department Is
concerned.
As to observatory Hill.
Senator Vest reported adversely upon
Senate bill 291, authorizing the Washington
Alexandria and Mount Vernon railroad to
construct a bridge across the Potomac from
Observatory Hill. 1t was introduced by
Mr.. Hunton on the 14th Of August The bill
was referred to Gen. Casey. and by him to
Maj. Davis. in charge Of the public works
near Washington. The latter made the fol-
lowing report to Gen. Casey: Congress
for many years has shown a decided dispo-
sition to erect government bridge across
the Potomac river at the point of New York
avenue. or opposite Observatory Hill. Reso-
iutions or the Senate have called a report
upon a government bridge at this location
and the resolution of the Senate of Febru-
ary ~. $500. called for a report upon the
most suitable kind of bridge, and plans
have been suggested for a monumental
structure or memorial bridge that shall do
something more than merely subserve the
land traffic and not interfere too much with
commerce, but shall be an ornament to the
capital and shall harmonize in its archi-
tectnrll features hon nd az,
buildings OF the city. Designs Of such a
character have been outlined and approved
by the chief Of engineers with the recon-
mendation that whether viewed from local
or national standpoint the proposed struc-
ture would involve interest Of such mag
nitude and Importance as to demand in his
Judgment the careful consideration Of
mixed board of engineers whose duty il
should be to give the plans the fullest ard
most careful consideration. and that Con-
gress authorize such board; should II pro-
VIDE Tor the construction Of such a bridge.
The public has been outspokcn in its
hearty Endorsement of all plans looking to
the erection of a bridge of a highly ornate
character. Congress has also had a road
from the Virginia side of the river TO Mount
vernon surveyed and an estimate made of
its cost. 1t is the evident intention of Con-
gress, therefore, so far may be judged
by It's actions, at some time other to
6uiid a handsome bridge at his part of the
Potomac and have a government road to
Arlington; said bridge and road to be used
by visitors and residents as q driveway and
to be kept entirely free from car tracks
~ may De said that Congress has not yet
built the bridge and may not do SO for some
years. but that Is no argument WHY, N
should give way to a private corporation the
nnest site for a bridge in the whole city
and one which the public demands in the
future would require the purchase of at
an enormous cost"
Maj. Davis goes on to show that there
Is no necessity for this bridge as far as
Nnr nS.fc
mission given to build bridge at the Three
Sisters for the use of street railway COM
panies. Gen. Casey made the following
report to the Secretary Of War:
Gen. Casey's Report.
1T appears that the site selected for this
bridge Is one that will be required for the
proposed memorial bridge the building or
which is intended to be authorized by a
bill Row pending in the House of Repre-
sentatives. which bill. H. R. 34s, was re-
ported on by this office under date of Sep-
tember Is. 1888. Objection to the passage
by Congress Of the bill at present is urged
by Maj. Davis for the following reasons:
First, 1t would be prejudicial to the pubIic
interest in that 1t would give away to a
private corporation the finest site for =
bridge in the city of Washington. and one
Wnlen the public demands in the future
might require the purchase of at an enor-
nous cost. Second. the bridge proposed is
unnecessary for the accommodation OF the
SURFACE traffic. inasmuch as Congress has
bridge by the Washington and Arlington
hallway Company at or near the Three
sisters, which. when completed, can he
used by any corporation upon payment Of
suitable compensation. These objections ap-
pear to me to be we'll taken and they meet
with my concurrence"
Accordingly the bill vas Indefinitely post.
poned.
Memorial Bridge
Senator Vest also reported favorably up-
on Senate bill 1o2, introduced by Mr. Hun
ton August 25 last, and requested that II
be referred to the District committee as
having further Jurisdiction. This bill au-
thorizes and directs the Secretary of War
to have constructed a memorial bridge from
the most convenient point of the naval
observatory grounds across the Potomac
river to the most convenient point in the
Arlington estate property. The bridge ia TO
De or such dimensions and capacity and
constructed OF such material as in the judg-
ment of the Secretary of War is most suit
able and If 1t is not practicable to give the
bridge sufficient height to permit the pass
age OF vessels, the Secretary is authorized
TO nave such suitable mechanical means
or draw provided to allow the unobstructed
passage OF vessels in the channel mart of
the river. The sum of 100000 is appropri-
ated for the purpose of securing designs
ana TO commence the construction of the
bridge. '''e
The bill received favorable attention Of
ths War Department and drew from Gen
X. N. Batchelder. the quartermaster gen
eral, the following report:
The proposed bridge would be q great
convenience alike to the general public
and the military and would render more
accessible to the residents Of Washington
and the many thousands Of visitors the
Arlington cemetery, one OF the largest and
most historical burial grounds in the coun-
try. now reached only by a much longer
and more circuitous and expensive route
of travel. The approaches to the bridge
now In use are not pleasing to the sight
are difficult even dangerous, Of access and
are not controlled by the government This
bill would give the government control of
both approaches, which would be safe and
could be beautifed and made attractive
in keeping with the graceful design of the
proposed bridge. The necessity for a
bridge at some more convenient point than
that OF the Alueduct bridge in Georgetown
has long been apparent Its utility would
be unquestiCned, and to make it a memorial
bridge would agreeably harmonic the pro-
gressve and practical. the useful and or
Lamental with the patriotic and historical
1t is recommended"
This bill was sent to the District COM
mittee for action as to its local features
President DOle's Letter Expected,
zI,,l,.