Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1900-11-17

whole work Is intended to give.
"he Memorial bridge. as indicated by
, the plans. VIII be almost tlIree-gEaFfess
Of q mile between the abrtmeHt walls
and composed Of SIX arch spans over
the river proper and ~ approach SPANS.
The roadway surface viii lse 81 feet
above the water The span ~ each
river arch will be nearly : long as the
I longest arch span Of any bridge ia file
world. Speaking 81 the magnitude Of
the proposed bridge, it may be inter-
esting 10 compare it with some other
I famous bridges. The Alexander Ill
bridge, IN Paris. an arch formed Of
steel castings thrown across the Seine
I Ia the exposition grounds and about
which much has been written IN adni-
ration, Is really a toy structure IN COM
! parison TO the Memorial bridge in
/ Washington. So, too. is the historic
1 Tower bridge in London. The Alex
ander III bridge has a clear span Of
only a little more than liz spans Of
any single river arch of orr bridge. In
other words, the arched portion Of the
/ Memorial bridge viii be more than ten
4 times as long as the span of the great
Paris bridge.
! AS designed the Memorial bridge will
| be a decidedly ornate structure. yet
some of the chief elements Of its COM
position will be simplicity and grand
| eur There viii be a vast amount OF
statuary and carving on and about it.
| The great river arches, with all their
| impressiveness and the long series of
! beautiful approach arches will be adj
mrably adapted for the reception Of
such emblematic figures. statuary and
carvings as may be suitable to give It
any desired intensity of expression as
memorial of American patriotism.
These embellishments need not neces-
| sarily be given to the bridge at the
| time of its construction. but could be
| added from time to time in the future
as historical events and epochs in the
history of the country might require.
| The plans provide for many pedestals
along the entire course of the struc-
ture where could be placed from time
to time statues of patriotic Americans
whose deeds of valor shall deserve rec
ignition.
An examination OF the entire design
shows that the composition of the
bridge as a whole and in its several
parts is dictated by the requirements
of the situation and that it possesses
the essential qualities of good engi-
neering and attractive and substantial
architecture. Masonry construction
t..
| monumental and enduring qualities.
The cost, it is asserted. will be no more
than if steel were used for the super
structure. The portion over the river
proper, requiring free passage for TIE
current and for ice in winter. will he
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
or bascule. These pierced towers or
arches, transverse to the bridge, will
admit of very monumental treat
ment. They win form two triumphant
archways, deliberately ornamented 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
to be placed against these archways,
emblematic Of such subjects as patriot
ism, valor. concord, unity, etc. These
will be of great size and elaborate
compositions and are to be executed in
stone The spandrels of the arches
will be fitted with subjects emblematic
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
diers have distinguished themselves,
| and the whole will be crowned with
bronze figures of Victory heroic in
size.
The monumental and memorial char
acter of the bridge will be further car
ried out along the entire length of the
| roadway, where bronze statues of cell
ebrated Americans are to be placed on
either side. The sculpture and orna-
ments will, if the plans are carried
out, be placed where the artistic re-
| quirements call for them without re-
gard TO expense. 1t is gratifying that
in the preparation of the design the
high character of the structure has al
ways been kept in mind and vulgar
Recommendation avoided as being
worse than useless.
| Whether the nations solons, when
they reassemble here in December, will
be inclined to favor this great under
taking upon which residential Wash,
ington has set it's heart am unable to
say. but apparently the prospects are