Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-24
EMEMORlAL BRIDGE
The Proposed Structure to Span the
Potomac River.
CONNECTING LIVING and DEAD
The Accepted Design Approved by
the Engineering Record.
ACTION BY CONGRESS URIC ED
From the Engineering Record.

The competition for the plans of the pro-
posed memorial bridge across the Potomac
river at Washington, D. c.. is an event in
the engineering and architectural profess
sions worthy of special remark not only
on account of the magnitude of the pro-
posed structure and its significance a
memorial to American patriotism. but also
because the plans are the joint production
of the appointed civil engineers and the
architects associated with them. The char
acter of the work to be designed. including
both the sub and superstructures. was such
as to make it essential that the civil engi-
neers only should be the responsible heads
Of the competition. At the same time the
condition that architect of reputation
should be associated with each competitor
was wisely imposed. The completed struc-
ture is to be of eminenuy monumental
character, which shall be in the best
sense of the expression graceful and or
nate tremendously with the surrounding
Landscape. This requires much more grace
full structural expression in the design than
civil engineers frequently employ. owing
chiefly to the lack Of the esthetic training
which every competent architect has en-
joyed. At the same time it is absolutely
essential that the purely artistic features
of the design. those which constitute the
ornate superfices of the structure. be in
true keeping with the structural ideas
elements of the work. 1t is imperative
that those ideas should dominate the de-
sign, yet in a limited way and so as to
produce a graceful result adapted to the
reception of ornament consistent with the
memorial motive.
Excellent Results.
The plans and description show how effi-
GENTLY and with what degree of excellence
these results have been attained. The pro-
posed bridge. when completed. will be
great structure. The competition was the
most important in the field of bridge design
which. it is believed, has ever occurred, and
the names of the competitors constitute
guarantee that no better results could be
expected than those which the competition
would produce. The specified ions were
judcally open. leaving the widest latitude
for the pay of engineering capacity and
judgment combined with architectural skill
and taste.
The adaptability of masonry to be pur-
poses of the design seems to have i'm
pressed practically all the competitors.
economy to the ruling motive of the de
sign. The principal characteristics Of the
latter having been fixed. economic consd-
erations could be advantageously intro
duced without initiating against the eff
cheney of the design. The specifications
called for two designs. one with steel 81
perstructure for the river spans with pro-
vision for the street cars on deck below
the roadway. and the other for Ill
masonry structure with no provision for
the street car tracks. AT rather late
date in the competitive period it was
deemed advisable to change or supplement
the original requirements to allow the
competitors to employ any width of bridge
considered best. or tie use of any material
not inconsistent with the monumental or
memorial character of the structure.
The Arch Feature.
All conditions attending the design ind!-
tod Ia he in ,.il Foot,
ard 1t was obviously a question with the
designers how best to introduce or employ
it. The steel arched rib in one form
other clearly suggested itself to the minds
of the competitors as the proper feature
for the steel superstructure, while the ma
sorry arch as clearly asserted itself for the
truly monumental! or memorial design. In
all but one the masonry arch is used
for the approach spans. This is as it
should be. for the reason that the arch
carries with it reduced cost in the short
approach spans, whereas the long lrch
spans of the river portion are correspond
ingly high in cost.
Combination of Steel and Concrete.
The choice of memorial structure being
narrowed down to the arch, it becomes alb
solutely essential to make Its design as
economical practicable without sacrifc-
ing the monumental motive. II would APP
pear that the excessively high cost of some
of the designs was due to failure to realize
the force of this observation. A granite
arch ring with sheeting of the same ma
teral is very expensive structure in
spans of nearly POO feet more; indeed
the cost is well nigh prohbitive under all
ordinary conditions. The best engineering
practice during the past ten years has
demonstrated the fact that the weight and
cost of arch sheeting built of combined
steel members and concrete is greatly re-
duced. 1t is type of masonry construc-
tom 1vr,irn n ode mt Il NJ, yHh CT
ture that under consideration. 1t pos
sesses a high .degree Of tensile strength
and toughnesS and a durability at least
equal to that of any other class of masonry
The report of the board of award speaks
of it Melan construction. although ii
does not appear to be of that type, but
rather later type of combination not pos
sesSing some of the characteristic Melan
features The use of that style or class
of concrete construction is most judicious.
and it is not surprising that its economy
and efficiency should be found largely aid
ing to the attainment of successful plans.
On the whole the competition has been
most interesting and important. The sim
plicity and dignity of the accepted plans
and the efficiency of their design. without,
in so speaking. in any way detract1ng from
the exceptional merit of the other plans,
will insure an eminently satisfactory struc-
ture.
Congress Should Act.
1t is earnestly to be hoped that Congress
will authorize the construction Of the
bridge on the plans accepted. The requisite
funds could be put to no better use than
to the realization Of such a dignifled and
in every way admirable memorial to Ameri-
can patriotism. There is no monument at
the capital of the nation memorializing
that exalted quality OF the American char
acter which has never yet failed the coun-
try and which has impelled the most
abundant sacrifice of blood and treasure
at every hour of need. The location be-
fba oil oil of ha living nj
the city of the noble dead would be graced
in a most beautiful and fitting manner by
this memorial structure.