Evening star., 1901-11-04
A NEW LONG BRIDGE
Secretary Roots Letter to President
Cassatt.
IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS MADE
Railroad Officials viii Act in Har-
mony With Park Commission.
WILL BE NO DELAY

Correspondence is in progress between
the Secretary of War and the president of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company with
view to securing a modification of the
plans for the railroad bridge across lhe
Potomac to replace the Long bridge, so as
TO guarantee a structure that will be an
ornament to the city and in entire har-
mony with the pending scheme for the de-
velopment of the park system of the Dis
trict. The members of the park commits
sion have been consulted in regard TO the
proposed railroad bridge. and it is said
that the representatives of the railroad
company have indicated to them as well
as to the Secretary of War their desire 70
act in harmony with the commission with
respect to Potomac Park and to cooperate
with them in the Improvement of the ap-
proaches to the national capital
The secretary's Letter.
The position of the War Department in
regard to the proposed railroad bridge is
shown in the following letter of Secretary
Root:
OCTOBER %, 1901
mfr. A. ]. Cassatt. President. the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company, Philadel-
Dear Sir: Referring to your application
of April IL last. and to subsequent corre-
spondence on the subject, have the honor
to transmit herewith for retention an in
strument approving, under authority of the
act of Congress approved February II,
1901. the design, drawings and map of
location of proposed bridge over the Po-
tornac river in lieu of the present Long
bridge, subject to the conditions set forth
in said instrument.
"In approving these plans. however, 1 feel
constrained to again call attention to the
views of the board of engineers and the
chief of engineers. United States army,
concerning the Importance of having the
superstructure of this bridge constructed
with a view to a more pleasing architec-
tural effect. These views were set out in
my letter to you of July 10, and as
follows:
The board IS of opinion that the pro-
posed new bridge will not be an unreason-
able obstruction to navigation of the Po-
tomac river. But. while recommending the
plans for the proposed structure generally,
VIZ, the number and width of spans. the
clear headroom. the line for the bridge
crossing. etc. all herein described the
board would like to see a change from the
style of the proposed superstructure which
as now planned, is to be of an ordinary
form of railroad bridge truss to one more
pleasing in design and in keeping with the
situation The proposed details of piers are
not shown on the plans The bridge is to
be an approach 10 the capital of the nation
from the great railroads traversing ard to
traverse immense areas of our country, and
II would undoubtedly crafty the commu-
nifty II such a change is suggested could
be effected. and the board believes that the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company
whose public-spirited policy is we'll known.
would be willing, owing to the exceptional
situation, to give the matter careful con-
slderation If the suggestion of a more
pleasing architectural effect were brought
to it's attention.
A More Imposing Design Suggested.
In this connection, and in response to the
assurances contained in your reply of July
20, 1901. that your company will be glad
to consider any suggestions which the War
department may desire to present. it is to
be observed that this new bridge is to be
one Of the principal approaches to the cap
ital of the nation, a companion to other
beautiful structures proposed to be erected
in the near future, and any modification in
the style of superstructure which the Bal
timore and Potomac Railroad Company
may be pleased to make, with a view to
securing a more imposing design and pro-
ducing an architectural effect more in har-
mony with the exceptional situation of this
bridge, will be gratifying alike to the War
Department and this entire community, and
am sure would also be highly appreciat
ed by the thousands of our countrymen who
annually visit the capital city
The chief of engineers, United States
army. VIII, II desired. be glad to Cooperate
with the company in carrying out the above
suggestion, and the War Department would
be glad % receive any further expressions
you may be pleased to make of your views
and conclusions in the matter.
Very respectfully
BLlHU ROOT, Secretary of War
Secretary Roots letter was mailed to Mr.
Cassatt October %, and was accompanied
by the following note:
The instrument provides that this an
proval does not include the entertainments
across the reclaimed area of the Potomac
flats Z"
Will Lose No Time.
That the railroad company proposes TO
lose time in this matter Is Indicated nv
the fact that Immediately on receipt of no.
tice of Secretary Roots action it advertised
for bids for the masonry and abutments of
the proposed bridge. The plan proposed is
for what is known Pratt truss bridge
of steel twenty-one and half feet above
low mean water. or eleven feet higher than
the present Long bridge There are to he
eleven piers and one draw-span pier sepa-
rated at distances of from 100 to 216 feet
Al! the piers are to be built upon pile
foundations, with the exceptions of the
oraw-span and two resting piers which are
10 De built upon pneumatic foundations
how lar these plans will be modified to
meet the views of the Secretary of War
and the park commission in the matter OF
approaches. has not yet been determined
but will. it Is said. depend to a great ex-
tent upon the liberality and public spirited
ness OF the railroad company. The officials
OF tne war Department express confidence
that the railroad company win treat the
matter in liberal and broad minded spirit
commensurate with its Importance