Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-28
The Memorial Bridge.

Repeating its effort of a year ago to Sc
cure an appropriation for the construction
OF the Memorial bridge, the Senate appro-
priations committee yesterday wrote into
the sundry civil bill an amendment pro-
yiding 100000 for that purpose. This is in
accordance with the general expectation,
justified by the action of 1890. when the
Senate adopted similar amendment and
her to IL until forced by the opposition of
the House to yield to save the bill from
defeat The adoption of the amendment by
the Senate this year should be a foregone
conclusion in view of the record. The fight
for the bridge will come in conference. and
to- the end of winning this fight it behooves
every aggressive. capital-lOving Washing
tonian to hustle from this time to the close
OF the session.
The Memorial bridge has been approved
In principle by every public official who has
had occasion to examine the project. It's
practical need is universally admitted. Its
patriotic purpose is conceded on all sides
It's value as fitting adornment to the fed
eral city and its environs Is self-evident
The only obstacles to its construction have
for some years been. first. the lack of
definite. approved plan. and, second. the re-
luctance of Congress to expepd a large sum
upon it, The first Of these hindrances has
Of design which meets every requirement
and satisfies the artistic taste OF major
ity. The question .recurs the score OF
the expenditure. The bridge will occupy
several years in building. and the appro-
priations will doubtless be made in such
installments as to constitute no drain what
ever upon the treasury. Projects involving
much larger sums and promising far less
results for the public good are constantly
being approved by the houses with but
1.-THE of the delay and demur which have
marked the progress of this enterprise to
its present stage.
The government owns a large tract of
land on the Virginia shore opposite the
District Access to it, with it's growing
military post and its great national GENE
terry is ordinarily difficult and on great oc-
casions involving large assemblages upon
this reservation is even dangerous. 1t Is
sign of federal remissness that 1t has not
long ago more adequately provided a means
of approach to this historic place. which is
visited yearly by many thousands of -our-
lists and is constantly growing in its patrf-
otto significance. Thus a bridge across the
river at this point is needed for practical
uses. and It may easily be made to
serve a noble purpose as well through its
appeal to the higher impulses of the citi-
zehs 1t may become one of the richest
adornments of the beautiful capital. world
famed rs type of the thoughtfulness and
wise liberality of The goternment.. The SEN
timent in favor of Memorial Bridge
springs from no sectional spirit, but indeed
is strongly suggestive of the new time when
sectionalism Is obrterated by broad ma
tional patriotism. This structure is designed
in part To- Symbolic the reunion of the
North and the South. once divided In war
as il Is today by a river practically without
bridges Arlington represents the South as
It does the North. Virginia. which Is 10 be
Joined To the District by this structure,
was the official seat of the late Corfed-
eracy. The bridge when built will typify
the new bond of reunion, solid. enduring,
beautiful. symbol of the perpetuity Of a
restored Union and of the sacrifices where
by its principles were preserved for all time
Last year. when the Senate was forced
was distinct promise on the part of GER
tain leaders of the House III framing Dis
trict legislation that the bridge would be
provided for at the present session. The
opportunity Is at hand to demand that this
promise be kept. The friends of The Me-
mortal Bridge. citizens of the District and
of Virginia and members OF both Senate
and House, will expect to see the Senate
conferees hold fast to the amendment as a
matter of legislative principle as we'll as of
progressive capital making