Evening star., 1899-01-28
BOARD OF TRADE
Reception Of Reports at Meeting Held
Last Evening.
LOCAL BRIDGES and GRADE CROSSINGS
Opposition Expressed to the Pro-
posed Peace Carnival.
SUPREME COURT BUILDING

SUPREME COURT BUILDING
The condition of some of the bridges
which constitute the principal approaches
to the city were graphically shown in a
series of pictures which were thrown on a
screen last evening for the information of
the members of the Loard of trade, at a
meeting of that body held Masonic Tenn
pie. In addition to hearing the report of
the committee on bridges, a report of the
committee on railroads was received, and
there was also 4 report from the committee
on mercantile interests. In addition, action
was taken on number of resolutions.
The president of the board, Mr.. Theodore
W. Noyes, presided, and the secretary, Mr..
Geo. H. Harries, was in his place. The
minutes of the last meeting We're read by
the secretary and were approved.
The secretary read Il petition, signed by
citizens, and which had been adopted by
the board of directors of the board and
recommended to the board for adoption, ad-
dresstd d TO Representative Mercer, chairman
of the House committee on public buildings
and grounds, protesting against the deface-
nent of the Smithsonian Park by the un-
slightly buildings on the south side facing
on L street. 1t was adopted.
Supreme Court Building.
The secretary also read a resolution from
the chairman of public buildings, Mr.. B. H.
Warner, favoIing the passage Of Senate bill
No. 1876, for the purchase of site for a
new building for the Supreme Court of the
United States. The resolution was adopted.
He also presented a resolution from Mr..
w. V. Cox, indorsing the recommendation
in the annual report of the Engineer Com
missioner that granite block from the city
sod h.,. 1tryv dc. RI
that ten-foot strip of asphalt or asphalt
block be placed in the center of the roads.
1t was further stated that the expense of
maintaining such a roadway would be no
greater than for maintaining an equal sur
face of macadam.
The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on streets and avenues.
The president announced the committee
on entertainment for the annual reception
of the board. which will be held at the
Arlington probably about February IA. The
committee consists of S. S. Shedd, r. Har-
ris, r. l.. Jeffords, Thomas Blagden and
David S. Hendrick.
Railway Grade Crossings.
From the committee railroads Mr..
Frank Hume said the committee was dis
appointed that bill had not been report ed
at the present session of Congress to elm
iratc the grade crossings in the city. He
had been told by Senator Mcmillan that
the railroad officials Were working on the
subject. and he believed they would soon
be ready TO submit proposition He had
been also told by the Engineer Commits
siOrer that in the event no proposition
came from the railroad people tha Commits
siorers themselves would report a bill. He
hoped some action would be taken soon,
and in view of that the committee had
nothing further to report at this time.
Capt. J. p Walker offered a resolution in
regard to securing pure water supply for
referred 10 he
mittce on water supply. He also submit
ted resolution faVoring an appropriation
by the board of 500 for the George Wash
iEgton Club. which sum was to be refunded
by the club. Also a resolution in favor of
the American Railway and Steamship Com
pany.
Both resolutions were referred to the ex-
ccutiVC committee
\ resolution was offered by Thos. w. Gill
mer in favor of remaining the streets run
ming east and west in the county. and pro-
vidins that the names of. cities be used.
The resolution was referred to The commit
tee on streets and avenues.
Report on Rridges.
The report of the committee on bridges
Of which Mr.. r. Ross Perry is chairman.
was read by the secretary al the request
of Mr. Perry. The report, which was adopt
ed, is as follows:
The committee on bridges has to report
year to secure any appropriation from Con
gress for the purpose of erecting a memor-
ial bridge. This bridge has been repeatedly
recommended by different Secretaries of
War; and is, it is believed, universally
favored. The only objection to the building
of it has been the decreased revenue of the
government for the past few years AS,
however. this reason no longer exists, it is
hoped that during the coming session OF
Congress an appropriation will be made
Stp in H.
accomplishment of this most desira BILE pub
lie Improvement.
1t IS proper to say that through the
efforts of Mr.. Frank Hume Of this commit
tee an enthusiastic Endorsement of this
national memorial bridge has been made
by the Grand Army of the Republic.
with respect to other work upon bridges
the committee has to report that through
Its chairman 1t addressed q letter to the
Engineer Commissioner, and received in
reply the following detailed communica-
tion from him:
From Engineer missioner,
Mr.. r. Ross Perry, Fendaf building, city
Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of No
vember 4, requesting information as ia
what has been done with regard to bridges
in the District of Columbia, | have to in
close herewith report of Mr.. George III
Bailey, engineer of bridges. This, however
Is, L imagine, rather meager for the pur-
pose desired, and L would state in addi-
ton that the appropriation of so, 900 made
by Congress for the Massachusetts avenue
bridge and Connecticut avenue bridge
across Rock creek, is for the preparation
OF foundations only, and cannot be utilized
until Congress adopts a definite plan for
the bridge at each locality Plans for the
Connecticut avenue bridge were submitted
to Congress by the Commissioners after
receiving competitive designs, the design
submitted by Mr.. George II. Morrison be-
ing recommended by the Commissioners
No preference, however, has been expressed
by Congress in making the apuropria tion
for the foundation. For the Massachusetts
avenue bridge two designs We're submitted
by the chief of engineers, one for a
masonry structure and one for q steel arch
bridge. the number of spans in each of The
two bridges being different and, of course
the footinSs or foundations for the piers
varying IN number and position No recon-
mehdatlon was made by the chief of en-
gtn"ers, and no preference has been ey-
pressed by Congress. 1t Will, therefore he
IMPOSSIBLE to locate the points at which
the foundations should be constructed until
Congress decides upon the class of bri1ee
to be built
The work of laying these foundations &c
now under advisement, and il is proposed
10 execute a contract within the neYt thirty