The times., 1899-10-21

Brig. Gen. John NJ Wilson Chief of En-
gineers of the Army, has submitted his an
nual report to the War Department, in
which he revives the plans for building a
memorial bridge across the Potomac and
a boulevard from Washington to Mount
Vernon. He recommends that Congress
take action toward the early commence
ment of the work. which it is estimated
will cost between 10000 600 and 100000
The report in part follows:
Congress has given much favorable con-
sideration to the construction of memo
rial bridge across the Potomac River to
the National Cemetery at Arlington, and
consideration has also been given TO a ma
tional boulevard connecting Arlington with
Mount Vernon. Several reports with plans
and approximate estimates have been sub
mitted by officers of the Corps of Engin-
eers in response to calls by Congress since
1886 The act of June + 1897. appropriate
ing $500 for making seundings and bor-
ings and securing designs and estimates lor
a memorial bridge This amount was ap-
piled to the purpose for which approprlat
ed tC as full an extent as the amount per
mitted. and the report of the survey, etc,
was submitted March 49, 1898.
The act of Congress approved Februa-
~ % 1889 appropriated $40, 00O for sur
vey for a national road from a point near
the end of the Aqueduct Bridge TO Mount
Vernon. The report upon this survey is
printed. From such report the following
quotation is given:
What then, is the object? 1t Is TO com
memurate the virtues of the grandest character
Z American history. II is satisfy the
Of q patriotic sentiment that nils the hearts ot
the American people 10 honor the name of Wash
ingtou. Whatever tends to keep alive the memory
OF his character and virtues will tend TO make
us all better citizens Of the Republic. road,
therefore, built from the capital OF the nation
10 the tomb of its founder would not be such as
I Is built for ordinary traffic Ii should have the
character of a monumental structure, such as
would comport with tie dignity Of this great
nation and in such an undertaking and the
grandeur Of character Of the man TO whom it
/ Is dedicated.
Inviting attention 70 the report of Col.
| Peter c. Hams, Corps of Engineers, upon
| the proposed boulevard, earnestly recon-
mend Congressional action looking toward
the early commencement of this great ma
tiOnal enterprise. The estimated cost
varies from 81 600 900 TO s.. 600 900, depend
| ing upon the route selected, the width OF
road proposed, and the character of the
road covering. Several lines have been
suggested Tor the road, varying in length
from about fourteen to sixteen miles.
The sundry civil act of March 3, 1899
contained an item as follows:
Memorial bridge across Potomac River: To
enable the Chief Of Engineers Of the Army TO con-
tiUue the examination Of the subject and to make
or secure designs. calculations, and estimates Tor
a memorial bridge from the most convenient point
Of the Naval Observatory grounds, OF adjacent
thereto, across the Potomac River 10 the most
convenient point Of the Arlington estate property,
the OF five thousand dollars.
In accordance with the provisions OF
this act, and by authority of the President
of the United States and the Secretary OF
War, four eminent bridge engineers have
been invited TO submit competitive design.
for a bridge combining the elements OF
strength and durability, and sgch archi-
| tectural establishment and Ornamentat'or
as will fitly apply to the dedication, A
memorial TO American patriotism.
1T Is anticipated that the distinguished
| engineers now preparing designs for the
| bridge Will submit them by January 16
| 1900, and that the matter will be brought
! to the attention of Congress by specia
report during the month Of February. 1900
1t is earnestly hoped that before the
! close Of the present century operations viii
/ have been inaugurated upon these impor'
! rant works