Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-12-21

D.>Datct says:
The House committee ON interstate
and foreign commerce, of which Repre-
sentative Wise is chairman, had meet
me- Wednesday morning to further con-
.iler the bill providing for memorial
brjlge across the Potomac, so that peo-
ple can get to Arlington and other
points in that part Of Virginia. The
subcommittee to whom was referred
the bill for action, reported throuah
Mr.. Durborow, of Chicago, that the
limit of cost should be $600,000 and
they think that clauses ought to be in
Guided in the measure which would
prevent steam, electric, and cable rail
wavs from using the bridge. If this is
carried out it will play havoc with the
Ultimate hopes of the Washington, AL.
exandria and Mt. Vernon electric line.
l. is said that the proposed cost is too
low. and that 100000 will not build
creditable memorial bridge. Also that
some electric or similar line should
have right to use the bridge, other
wise people cannot go to Arlington un-
less they walk, own carriage, or hire
one from a livery table. Congressman
Durborow. in speaking Of the matter,
seid he was assured by War Depart
ment officials that 100000 would be
sufficient to construct suitable bridge
He remarked also that it was pretty
we'll understood that the Mt. Vernon
electric railway people expected to get
in aud use the bridge, but he said
he was opposed to having the govern
ment build this thing for company,
unless the company Was willing to put
up its full share of the funds. If there
was to be q partnership business, he
added. it might be as we'll to assess the
property owners on the Virginia side
for third of the cost, as it was admit
tee, the bridge would tend to largely in
crease values in Alexandria and Fair
fax counties. Unless there is a change
in the feelings of the congressman who
have this matter in charge, the Mount
Vernon electric-line people will miss
their calculations, and some of their
friends think that if they rely on being
given the privilege of using the Me-
mortal bridge for getting into Washing
ton they will be apt to miss fire. Now
the question is that perhaps it would be
better for the company to go in on Its
own hook, and try to enter Washington
over an electric ferry or bridge OF Its
,rwn, as was originally contemplated.
May Westinghouse and the rank
and file Of citizens in Alexandria, Fair
fax and !. oudoun counties take pride
in the MI. Vernon electric line and
they not only wish it success, but its
right of way into Washington means
prosperity for the Virginia side OF the
river. and a steady advance IN the
value of real estate. The cat is out OF
the bag, however, and as Mr.. Durborrow
saws. it is we'll understood at the Capt.
tol that the aim of the company is TO
ultimately obtain the right to use the
proposed Memorial bridge. The street
railroad companies of this city are
naturally taking hand, land so are otner
interests jealous ofthe Virginia line.
The commissioners have finally eH-
pressed their opinion in regard to the
use of railroad tracks on the bridge, by
the introduction of q special item in the
appropriation bill, which provides for tue
purpose. They have maintained tneir
rights in the matter, however, and IN
stead Of the track on the bridge being
the property any corporation, 1t Will be
owned and operated exclusively by the
District, and all revenues derived there
from turned into the Golfers of the mu-
nicioality. The commissioners request
an appropriation of s26, 200 for remodel
ing the superstructure of the bridge, so
as to stand the extra strain upon the
structure The data accompanyir & 81 o
estimate authorizes the commlssloners
to build the track, allowing only one
single track to cross the bridge. Inc
west side of the bridge will be used for
the purpose, and to accommodate IL the
surface of the entire structure VIII De
rebuilt. The approaches at both ENDS
of the bridge are owned by the general
government, so that the entire
track will be owned exclusively by q Q
government. AS contemplated the
track will begin at the same
level as the bridge at the WI,
ginia end and across the river Will
have gradual incline, so that
when the Georgetown end is reached
the track will be elevated about thirty
feet or more above the sidewalk. Inc
track will act Independently OF the
bridge when the canal is reached and
a separate bridge erected across that
waterway to the canal road, from which
Doint. with the same elevation, the
track will double and curve around SO
as to enter the second story OF the
Union station at Thirty-sixth and MI.
streets now in course oferection. No one
railroad crossing the bird ge will nave
monopoly of the track, but as many :
different lines as may wish can cross. If
the estimate is passed upon and an ap-
preparation granted, the commissioners
will have the power of charging a Toll
of not less than one cent for every pas
senger carried cross the bridge. and the
funds thus made will be used to keep
the bridgein perfect repair COMMISSION
er Powell says if the appropriation Is
allowed, the work would be begun as
soon as the money was available, ana
that by the time the track was com
pleted cars would be running over u;
;stThere are now several railroads, :,
said he, ''anxious to get across, ana
they will lose no time if the commis-
sioners build the track"