The morning times., 1895-12-04
'F0R | MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Senator Frye Introduces a Bill
to Build One.
TO BE JOINED TO ARLINGTON
Nations wahaIla VIII Then be tn
Reaching Distance OF All Visitors
to the Capital-Of Great Military
observation-disclosures to Fort Myer
Lessened Onc-Half. 4.

Friends of the memorial bridge across
the Potomac are active. Yesterda y In the
Senate, Senator Frye OF Maine, introduced
| bill providing for the construction OF
such bridge.
The bill authorizes the Secretary OF War
to have constructed a bridge from the
most convenient point of the Naval Oh
servatory grounds, to an equally conven-
lent point in the Arlington estate.
The bill also provides that the cost of
the bridge shall not exceed 100000. 1t
is to be used exclusively for foot passengers
and vehicles. and all tramways are pro
hibited, whether propelled by steam. elec-
trio, cable, horse or other power.
1t WAS at ouce referred TO the proper
committees, anu It's passage Will be urged;
Its friends are anxious that 1t shall NOT
fail, rs 1t did last year: hence its carry
did last year: hence Its early Introduction.
In the Fin second Congress private
corporation sought to build O bridge al
mi point, and OIL granting the IRA nclis,.
for that purpose was introduced in the
second session thereof. This bill was
ment % BY the the eomInittee % on M Interstate @ eG com.
merce, and the War Department SO siren
uously and urgently opposed the granting
OF this site to a private corporation, upon
the Government, that the committee de-
ciined to report the bin.
WAR DEPARTMENT WANTS IT.
The War Department urges its con-
struction on the around or necessity. The
chief military post OF the ca Ditil is at Fort
Myer. and such a bridge would place this
force virtually at the doors or tne White
House. 1t would be also fitting ap-
prOach to the grand National Cemetery
at Airing ton. where SO many OF the nations
honored dead lie
Since 1856 up to the present time the
building OF this bridge has been urrcd re-
peatedly upon the attention OF Congress by
successive Secretaries OF War. chiefs of
engineers and uudrteuldStglS general OF
the army
Secretary Lamont favors the bridge.
He says: Very large sums have beri. ap-
propriated by Congress for the construction
OF roads to cemeteries, more or less uniIn-
pnrtant. in various parts or the country.
but a like generous care has not been be-
slowed upon Airing ton. the most tmpOr-
tant OF all. The Arlington Heights 9 rounds
contain 100 acres. with a frontage or
about Que naie on The Potensc. 4ney
constitute one or the grandest and most
beautiful parks in the country. the Ma
tional Cemetery occupying about one
fifth of the inclosure.
In aduiiIon 40 lbs historical associations.
the PARK aboauds in rare natural beauty. aud
mas been most carefully kepI and improved
Few cities have so fire a park contiguous
TO their borders. Ariugto Cemetery, " here
so mauy heroes lie buried, has IN n large
measure, become, like Great Eritain's
Westminster ApUey. the nations WaiGa.ia-
Consecrated as II Is io our ii.ustrioUs dead.
with Its stately aud expressive monuments
commemorative of the deeds OF patriots. its
hai!owed associatiDns and its lessons appeal
strongly TO visitors to ihe Nations Capital
Buttne lour uey tliither By arounda bout way.
over roads controlled by local authorities
which are roagn at all times a ud frequently
wel-nigh impas able. is not only tedious and
uncomfortabi bic. hut involves an expenditure
or time aud money which deters great num-
bers from undertaking it.
A NEW YORK AVENUE TERMINUS.
"A bridge over the Potomac or about the
terminus OF New York ayeuue, near Oh
servatory Hill, would furnish q short and
dire2t route TO the park aud Cemetery and
would. IN fact, bring inem 10 our very doors.
But park and cemetery are not alone to- be
considered. As a means OF direct and rapid
coInnu uDication between the capital and the
important military post OF Fort Myer. which
adsoins the park on the north, the value in
4 military seuse, of bridge at this point
caunot be overestimated.
such bridge would also practically Join
this beautiful park 10 the large area OF
reclaimed lands on the river, all of which
is TO form one grand park. Plans for sucu a
bridge have been prepared by the Engineer
Department, and its construction Is urged
as q necessity"
The Guartermaster general is more out
spoken than Secretary Lamont. He urges
the bridge in this language: THE present
this historical spot. which forms part
oi Uhc oI tI.e nItsI beautiful parks in The
country, and where So many or the nations
heroes are buried. should he remedied at
der ii more accessible To the peoDle of
the city of Washington and TO the thous-
ands OF visitors to the National Capital
from all par of the country.
1.-THE construction of bridge over the
Potomac. at or abCut the feTm,nus of New
York avenue, near Observatory Hill. will
not oniv furnish a short and direct route TO
the cemetery and park. hut also 1 e means
Of direct and rapid communication between
tHr IaDitai aHu tie IMPORTANT military pest
OF Fort Myer. Va, which adjoins the cem-