Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-10-20

ments Of the composition and those
which relate exclusively TO aesthetic
motives. 70 ignore such feature of the
work. Indeed, to have ignored 1t would
have been 10 incorporate IN the cumpo-
sitI0n "a direct untruth Having given,
therefore. the imperative condition OF
distinct structural feature az the most
prominent portion Of the entire con-
strucuon-namely. I'm the center of the
rivcr-the correct principles OF art re-
quiro that II should be utilized for suCh
ornate expression as the motive Of the
whole work Is Intended 20 give.
The Memorial bridge as indicated by
the plans win be almost lhree-quarters
of mile between the abutment walls
and composed Of six arch spans over
the river proper and % approach spans.
The roadway surface will BE 90 feet
above the water The span of each
river arch will be nearly as long as the
longest arch span OF any bridge In the
world Speaking of the magnitude OF
the proposed bridge Il may be- inter
Cstlng 10 compare a. with some other
famous bridge The Alexander III
bridge I'm Paris. an arch formed Of
steel castings thrown across the seine
In the exposition grounds ana about
which much has been written In admi-
ration, is really a toy structure in com
parlson 10 the Memorial bridge in
Washington So, too, Is the historic
Tower bridge, In London. The Alex
ander III bridge has a clear span Of
only a little more than II spans Of
any single river arch of our bridge In
other words the arched portion Of the
Memorial bridge will be more than ten
times as long as the span OF the great
Paris bridge
As designed the Memorial bridge will
be decidedly ornate structure, yet
some Of the chief elements OF It's COM
position win De simplicity and grand
s siatuary "'. and carving pa Bout oit IT,
The great river arches, with an their
impressiyencss. and the long series OF
beautiful approach arches win be- adj
mirably adapted Tor the reception Of
such emblematic figures, statuary and
carvings as may be suitable 90 give IL
any desired Intensity OF expression as
o. memorial Of American patriotism.
These embellishments need not neces.
sarIly De given Oh no bridge az the
time of iIs construction. but could BE-
I added from time to tiue in the future
as historical events and ou1chs In the
history ~ the country nigh, require
/ The plans provide for NAM pe1estals
/ along the entire course 0f the s,ruc-
tura whore could ba placed from time
[ 90 time statues of patriotic Americans
whose deeds Of valor shall deserve rec
/ 0gnitIon.
An examination Of the entire design
I shows that the composition ofsthe
bridge as a whole and IN It's several
parts Is dictated by the requirements
/ Of ,ho situation and that ~ possesses
I the essential qualities OF good epei
/ necring and attractive and substantial
I architecture. Masonry construction
| has been chosen on account OF It's more
monumental and enduring qualities
/ The cost, Il Is asserted viii be no more
/ than II steel were used for the super
| structure. The portion over the river
| proper. requiring free passage for the
| current and for ice IN winter, win be
! OF comparatively open construction.
| consisting of graceful segmental arches
| OF long span
The most impressive feature OF the
/ bridge and that which Will be most
| expressive of its memorial character
| will be the towers at the central span
| OF bascule These pierced towers or
! arches, transverse 10 the bridge. viii
| admit OF a very monumental treat
ment. They will form two triumphant
| archways. deliberately ornameuted and
rich IN detail although in harmony
| with the severity and grandeur Of the
! great bridge structure Of which they
form a part. Eight heroic groups are
10 be placed against these arohways,
emblematc OF such subjects as patriot
ism. yalor. concord. unity etc These
| will be OF great size and elaborate
| compositions and are 10 be- executed In
stone. The spandrels OF the arches
will be fitted with subjects omhlematic
OF the army and the navy on the
sides Of the towers will be placed
shields and plaques inscribed with the
names Of battles where American SOL
dlers have distinguished themselves.