Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-21
A Bird GE TEARING
The Proposition to Build One at South
Capitol Street
Hearing Before the House Committee
ON COmmerce-Argumen Favor
ing the Project.

The House committee on interstate COM
| merce this morning granted a hearing to
the South Capitol Street Bridge Associa-
ton in behalf of the bridge which they pro-
pose to erect from the foot of South Capitol
street to the southern shore of the Eastern
branch. The association was represented
by the president Judge H. H. Blackburn;
the treasurer, Mr. Geo. j. Seufferle, and the
attorney, Mr.. A. ID. Anderson. Among
others present were DR.. Godding, superin-
tendent of the Insane Asylum. and Mr..
Simon Wolf and dozen of the members OF
the association.
A map Of the locality in question was
hung on the wall to show by diagram the
need of such bridge, and a map of the
District was also displayed, so outlined in
blue as to demonstrate the saving in space
to those frequenting the vicinity of Gies-
boro', who are now compelled to use the
Anacostia bridge near the navy yard.
The Needs Set Forth.
This was set forth in the following state
ment, which was presented by the officers
of the association:
THE approach to the bridge will be at
South Capitol street and will be almost OPP
posite the engine house of the Insane Asy-
lum. South Capitol street runs through
Giesboro' up to Nichols avenue, near Henry
Holley's gate, and taps Livingston road;
then runs on Piscattaway road past James
Byers' farm. down to Cox's Landing, oppo-
site Alexandria, thus shortening the drive
about two miles; then another road or
avenue past the United States magazine
through Cummins' farm, to be known as
jackson avenue, near Shepherds Landing.
The right OF way has been granted for all
avenues and streets.
1.-THE map also shows the Improvement
fho
arsenal to the navy yard on the Washing
ton side. From Giesboro' Point to Pennsyl-
Vania avenue, taking six spans off the Ana
costa bridge, about one-half the length of
the bridge, and by dredging the channel
VIII reclaim about 700 acres of land on both
sides Of the river. The distance now by
road around from Giesboro to South Cap
itol street Is five miles. The hill from Gies-
boro' up to Nichols avenue is 40 feet high
In distance of 40 yards and it requires
three horses to haul a two-horse load.
Benefit to Health.
The bridge will also avoid the dumping
OF o1al on South Capitol street and thus
make property more valuable and improve
the health of that section of the city, and
shortens the drive to the insane asylum
two and three-quarter miles,
From the center of b street south at
the southwest corner of the Capitol grounds
by the way Of LIST street to the south shore
or the Eastern branch is 4.32o yards. or
l,OOO yards over two miles. The distance
from the same point by way of NJ street
south, nth street east by the Anacostia
bridge to the same point on the south
shore is five miles and 1919 yards"
The hearing began at IL o'clock and last
ed for about fifteen minutes. The oppo-
nents and advocates of the New York
bridge bill Were eager to be heard and the
local folks had to be brief.
The Case Presented.
Judge RIackburn ctota5 tbo. ~
was desired was a preliminary survey by
the government, under the direction of the
Sec rotary Of War, who has already made
a favorable report to the committee as
well as the Secretary of the Navy. He
then gave way to Col Anderson who
or1ef1y explained the maps and said that
he thought it was good and obvious public
policy to allow the people a free and easy
access to the national capital. The people
of southern Maryland. he added though
they have a more direct vote upon the
affairs of the District than the citizens of
Washington. are almost cut off from the
city except by long and circuitous route
The bridge then would be directly in the
interest," or these people, and the legisla-
ture of Maryland has already passed a
resolution approving the project.
H.-. DIR. Godding's Advocacy.
DR.. Godding called attention to the fact
that the government owns about a thousand
on the south shore. and that such a bridge
would diminish by over a third the dis
lance between this property and the Cap
itol. The long. steep hill to the east of the
asylum that now must be climbed would
be saved and this would be a great service
the Institution.
Il have been in that vicinity for the last
sixteen years." he said. Il know what a
devious. tedious, uselessly circuitous route
there I iplr a
be eIntnently wise and proper to allow
this survey to be made"
How far is it above the navy yard?" |
About a mile or a mile and a half be- |
low, was the reply.
Then, being below the navy yard. it
THAT is part of the plan, I believe" |
answered DR.. Godding. |
"Will it be railroad bridge?" asked Mr. |
Patterson. |
Not Railroad Bridge.
mo; merely for carriages and foot pas
sengers."
Chairman Wise wanted to know II an esti-
mate had been made to show that 5000 |
was necessary for the purpose of the sur
vey. and 1t was explained to him that only |
as much as would be necessary of the 5000 |
was to be expended. Mr.. Bartlett thought
that 5000 was entirely too much, and Mr. !
Simon Wolf explained that 5000 was the /
customary figure mentioned in all bridge |
survey bills as a maximum amount He |
went on to say that he had been president
of the association and that he could see no |
reason why such a bridge should not be
built
mo one objects to it." he said, "and every
one seems to be in favor of it. The farm
products from that side of the river are now
sadly hampered in being brought to the city
by the long and billy route that has to be
taken"
The hearing was then concluded and the
listened to the voice of Gotham.
Philosophical Inquiry