Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-18
BRIDGING THE ANACOSTIA
HEARING GIVEN THOSE WHO ARE
PUSHING THE PROJECT.
Advantages of Proposed Structure
Enumerated by It's Advocates,
Favorable Report Expected.

Enumerated by It's Advocates
Favorable Report Expected.
The District Commissioners today gave
hearing to those interested in House bill
1906, providing the. sum of $4,000 for
building an approach on the south side of
the Anacostia river to a bridge across that
stream, the northern end of the proposed
structure to land at the foot of 1st street
west. The hearing was given at the re-
quest of the South Capitol Street Bridge
Association, of which Mr.. Robert Cook is
president, and many members of that
ganiZation, several representatives of the
Business Mems Association, including its
secretary, Mr.. Barry Buckley and quite a
large representation of resident property
owners of South Washington and the SUI
burban districts across the Anacostia river,
were present. Ex-Secretary of the Navy
Hillary A. Herbert and Mr. Daniel O'C.
Callaghan addressed the Commissioners
as the representatives of the bridge asso-
citation and the people interested, and
Messrs. Raymond A and Peter II. Heis-
kell, jr., also spoke in advocacy of the pro-
ject. The Commissioners intimated that
they favor the project, and promised that
they will submit report thereon to Con-
gress at the earliest possible day.
Referring to the bill, Mr.. Herbert ex-
planned that favorable report thereon is
earnestly desired by the people of South
Washington and by all others. both in the
District and in Maryland, who will be bene-
fitted by the erection of the proposed
bridge. He reminded the Commissioners
that they stand in the position of the rep
resentatives of the peope of the District.
While not chosen by the suffrages of the
citizens of the District, yet the President,
in appointing the Commissioners, has al
ways had due regard for the wishes of
the citizens, and he characterized the Dis
trict as being the best governed municipal
ity In this or In any other country. Con-
gress. he said, has indicated a favorable
disposition in the matter of the proposed
bridge, as six years ago it directed that
surveys be made. Three surveys We're
made, and the bill has reference to the
route recommended in the report of Major
Chas. e. L. Davis of the engineer corps of
the army.
Benefits Cited.
Mr.. Herbert, after referring to the fact
that the construction of this bridge would
greatly benefit four Institutions of the gen.
eral government, ST. ElZabeth's Insane
Asylum, the naval magazine and Forts
Foote and Washington, said that it will re-
deem no less than 700 acres marsh land.
He spoke of the deplorable hygienic condi-
tlcns prevailing in the southeastern sec
ton of the city, adding that at times the
navy yard and the Washington barracks
are positively almost unbearable because
of these conditions, all of which would be
removed by the construction of the bridge
asked for. The southeastern section of the
city, said Mr.. Herbert, is not only not able
to care for Itself, but it will also he found
that it has not received that attention from
Congress in the matter of appropriations
that it so we'll deserves, and for which
such a great and pressing necessity exists.
He referred to the near proximity of the
Capitol building to the section where these
deplorable conditions exist, endangering
no nT1tNr he 1.-Two. of hn
officers and men of the army and navy
stationed therein, but also the lives of the
national legislators.
better the Hygienic Conditions.
The erection of the bridge, said Mr.. Her
beet, will not only better the unfortunate
hygienic conditions in its vicinity, but Will
greatly enhance the value of real estate.
thereby adding largely to the revenues OF
the District More than that, he said It's
construction will greatly improve the NOR
ality of those districts in the southern sec
ton of the city where such Improvement
is badly needed Upon its completion South
Capitol street, he predicted, VIII be extend
ed through to the District line, and a most
beautiful driveway added to those of The
District. Then the rival street railway
corporations would strive to extend their
lines in the direction, and thereby the
land property would be greatly enhanced in
value. Both the War and Navy depart
ments have advocated the erection of the
bridge and he felt assured that should the
Commissioners submit an earnest and Ia
vorable report at an early date Congress
will not fail to perform its duty in the
premises.
Mr. Callaghan also urged a prompt and
favorable report by the Commissioners upon
the bill, indorsing al that had been said
by Mr.. Herbert and adding that the cree
ton of the bridge would benefit the whole
District. Mr.. Raymond A. HeskelI, a
Of oryy1on md ka Of
the people of his state would derive from
the construction of the bridge, and said
that as Maryland had given to the coun-
try the territory now known as the District
of Columbia her people naturally expected
some sort of compensation. Property to
the value of between fifty and seventy-hve
million dollars would be directly benefited.
in his opinion, and he spoke of the beaut-
full new country which the bridge would
open up to the people of the city.
The Approaches.
Captain Beach, the Engineer Commits
soner, said that the Commissioners desire
to see the bridge erected, but pointed out
that nothing had been said about acquiring
the land necessary for the approaches to
it, adding that the Commissioners would
like to know how it was to be acquired.
He also referred to the character of the
structure recommended, explaining that
since Major Davis made his report there
has been a remarkable advance in bridge
architecture, for while several years ago
bridges were built more with regard to
strength, they are now being built with
architectural beauty well as strength.
Mr. P. H. Heiskell, jr., explained, in
answer to Captain Beach's first point, that
the people Of the south end of the bridge
will waive all their riparian rights. and he
referred to an agreement made some time
ago but which has been replaced, in which
such rights were waived. He assured the
Commissioners that there will be trouble
about acquiring the necessary land for the
approach on the south end, and Captain
Beach remarked that as to the north or
city end 1t could be so arranged as to
occupy street space. Mr.. Heiskell read a
resolution adopted by the Business Mems
Association in favor Of the bill, and said
that from advices received from prominent
bridge building firms he believed the pro-
posed bridge could be erected for little
over $400,O0O.
Mr. Herbert, in closing the discussion.
said he was authorized to say that the peo-
pie owning the land at the south end of the
bridge will enter into such an agreement
as to the conveyance Of land for its APP
proach as will be satisfactory to the Com
missioners and Congress, and he also
stated that such changes in the structure
as might be deemed desirable by the Com
IL NnfrI