Evening star., 1901-09-25
A M'KlNLEY BRIDGE
Gen, ]. M. Wilson's Suggestion a
to Memorial.
AN ARCH SHOULD BE BUILT
A Washington Approach to the
Structure.
LATE PRESIDENTS WISHES

Brig Gen. John NJ Wilson, retired, who
as chief of the Corps of Engineers of the
War Department perfected the plans and
arranged the details of the architectural
competition for the proposed Memorial
! bridge, was the first to revive the present
interest n that enterprise by suggesting
that the proposed Mckinley memorial arch
! be made a part of the Washington end of
the bridge.
General Wilson knew President McKin-
ley's great interest in having the bridge
built because of the favorable sentiment
it would create in cementing the growing
feeling of good will between the north and
south. In discussing the matter with a
Star reporter today Gen. Wilson went
briefly over the history of the proposition,
recalling several interviews between Presi-
dent Mckinley and himself relating to the
matter, and one in particular, in which the
President, when asked to suggest an ap-
propriate name for the bridge, said Let 1t
be a monument to American patriotism"
After the death of Mr.. Mckinley and a
spontaneous suggestion had been made for
a monument to his memory, Gen. Wilson
said the idea of connecting the bridge with
that arch at once suggested itself to him
as the most appropriate place
One Grand Memorial.
1T would seem now, continued Gen.
Wilson. that no greater opportunity could
be presented to the country than to make
one grand memorial to the lamented Presi-
dent than by having this magnificent arch,
which is to be built by the public general
iy, at the Washington end of this great
bridge and let the whole be known as the
Mckinley Memorial bridge.
In arranging to obtain suitable designs
for the bridge after an appropriation of
so,OOO had been made for that purpose l
suggested to the President that four of
the Leading architects and bridge engi-
neers of the country be requested to SUBJ
NIT designs and that each be paid a small
sum towards their expenses in the matter
out or the amount available. This plan was
approved, and 81, 200 was set aside for that
purpose. The competition was invited and
plans secured. These in turn were care
fully gone over by board consisting of
three officers of the Engineer Corps of the
army and two local architects
"One of the plans-that of Prof. Burr
was selected, with slight notifications, and
the matter was presented to Congress at
the last session for an appropriation to be-
gin the construction, but as is we'll known,
delay was occasioned by the submission
OF plans by private parties.
1T was before the plans had been sub
mitted that 1 was discussing the matter
of the bridge with the President one day
when l asked him what his idea was for
the bridge 1 told him there had been a
great many names suggested, but that one
was needed which would cover the whole
story and satisfy every one. He raised his
hand, and looking at me said, General, let
it be a monument to American patriotism.
His manner and the whole scene was SO
beautiful that | came away thoroughly i'm
pressed with the Presidents deep interest
in the bridge, and also with a greater idea
of the grandeur of his character and abil-
ity than 1 had ever had before However
in the many interviews l had with him
since that time that same expression had
grown. He had always exhibited a deep
interest in all public Improvements. but
his interest in improvements for Washing
ton was most keen at all times.
"A few days ago l was speaking to dis
tinguished southern gentleman who had
known Mr.. Mckinley well and who had
seen him shortly before he was shot. AT
that time my informant said he had told
the President that he had done more to
bridge the chasm and smooth over the
breach between the north and south than
had any other living man. The President
replied that this had been his earnest
heartfelt wish. He wanted to do every
thing possible toward that object, and said
it was his hope to completely establish
tions of the country during his service
In concluding General Wilson said: "Witf
this grand arch as a memorial to our be.
loved President, with a memorial bridge tC
the memory OF American patriotism anG
with boulevard connecting the Virginia
side with the home of Washington we
would have a grand tribute to American
manhood and craftsmanship