Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-15
M E M ORAL BRIDGE
The Structure Graphically Described
by the Designer.
COMPARED WITH BRIDGES IN EUROPE
Professor w. H. Bur's Address
Before the Board of Trade.
OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED

A large and representative gathering Of
citizens composed of members of the
board of trade and their friends, at Ma
tional Rifles Hall last evening was en-
tertained with an account of the monu-
mental bridge structures of the world The
speaker was Prof. w. II. Burr of Columbia
College New York city, who was success
full in the recent competition of engineers
for a design for the proposed memorial
bridge over the Potomac to Arlington. With
the aid of the stereopticon, Prof. Burr per-
sonaily conducted his audience on a flying
trip through Europe. and enabled it, with
out the fatigue and the distraction of other
scenes. to the notable bridge structures
of this character. By an arrangement Of
the slides, which were particularly effective.
Prof. Burr, before leaving this country,
showed number Of views of the Long
bridge. and the neglected and forlorn ap-
pearance of the approaches, and the cheap
and mean-looking structure constituting
the approach to The principal bridge at the
nation capital, proved to be effective, If
not novel. object lessons.
In sharp contrast, however, came the
views Of The noble and magnificent struc-
WHICH only awaits the accumulation OF the
| necessary funds to become a reality and
an added ornament to the city.
Superior to Any in Europe.
This structure. he explained, in its mag
ntude. is superior to anything of the sort
in Europe. There are. he added one or
two bridges which are, perhaps, as long
and as high, but they are railroad bridges,
and not monumental in character The me-
mortal broge, he said, would be upward
of mile in length. with spans 1872 feet and
ntrdl towers fpet-hlp he
built of stone, he said, and his descrip-
ton Of the method of construction, although
somewhat technical in character was ex-
plessed in terms readily grasped by the
lay mind. He explained the superiority of
the central portion, which separates in two
wings, each being drawn UP vertically
folded back into the towers on each Sue,
thus freeing the channel from obstruction
to the passage of boats.
The usual drawbridge where the sepa-
rated portions are moved on pivots, Prof.
Burr said, was not equal in architectural
effect or In practical use to the device of
the uDlifted central wings. Details were
given of the method OF carrying the road
| bed. which would be eighty-four feet wide.
on pillars of concrete or iron. He showed
the use Of iron beams in the lower face Of
the arch, which, however, would be con-
cealed from sight by the masonry. This
use of iron imbedded in concrete was some
what new, but was fully approved, as 1t
furnished material that was practically in
destructitle. 1t had been demonstrated.
the speaker said, that iron In concrete Suf-
fered no deterioration.
After giving his audience a graphic rep
resentation of present Potomac bridge con-
d!tions and of the possibilities of the future,
Prof. Burr took those present to Europe,
where most delightful tour followed to the
notable monumental structures.
Exprexsion of Appreciation.
This account of bridges was highly en-
| joyed by the audience, and at the close
| Mr. John Joy Edison, the president of the
| board. who presided, expressed the: appre-
! citation all felt and added that he had no
! doubt all agreed with him in the conclusion
that the proposed memorial bridge, as de-
| signed by Prof Burr, the most beauti-
fui of all the structures shown. vote of
thanks to the speaker was unanimously
adopted.
Prior to the opening of the address and
after the minutes Of the last meeting had
| been read by the secretary Mr. George H.
Harries resolutions from the committee on
parks and reservations were presented by
the chairman Mr.. Henry F. Bcunt, and
were adopted. These resolutions urged
Congress at the earliest practicable day to
take measures for providing comprehen-
sive plan for treating the park system of
the city, providing for the location o. pub
lie buildings and bridges 1t was recon-
mended that commission of three or five
architects or landscape architects be ap-
pointed to prepare such pan.
The report of the committee on bridges
H. ftoSS ferry, chairman, was read by the
secretary.
Congress Asked to Provide Funds
After Prof. Burr had concluded, a reso-
luton offered by Mr. Ellis Spear was
adopted, urging upon Congress to provide
a the present session the funds to begin
the erection Of the proposed memorial
bridge and authorizing the secretary of the
board to invite the co-oDeration of cham
terH OF commerce and boards of trade
throughout The country in forwarding this
under taking.
A resolution offered by Mr.. W. J. Friz-
eel, instructing the committee on railroads
10 make an investigation to the contin-
ned use on street railroad lines Of open
cars and as to the regulations governing
Inotormen and conductors, was referred to
that committee. The board then upon mo-
ton, adjourned.
Those Present.
Among those present were the following
Fulton r. Gordon, Wash. Danenhower, Geo.
Fisher, VIM. M. Shuster DIR. A. P. Pardon,
Frank Hume, Jesse b. Wilson, e. F. Droop
Chas. W. Fairfax, Matthew Trlmble, A NJ
Read. Henry B. r. Macfarland c. c. Dun
carson, s. T. G. Morsell. P. A. Fenning
j. p. Walker, John c. Yost, j. Sprigg Poole
A. N. Lothroo. w. f. GUIDE, w H. Single
ton. William Gordon, Daniel Muir
ray, James B. Lambie N. H. Shea,
Arthur Cowsill. 8. H. Siebert. Theo
w. Noyes. Lor.n Chappell. Andrew B. Ora
ham. John Joy Edison, jr., VIM. ]. Frizzell
Thos. w. Smith, Henry B. LOCKER, Geo.
A. ArmcS. VIM. J. Tea, VIM. Muehlelsen,