The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-19

citation had a hearing yesterday before
the District Commiss toner's in regard 10
the construction OF n bridge over the
Eastern Branch of the Potomac River, at
First Street southwest. as provided in
House bill 1895. In addition 10 the mem
hers of the South Capital Street Asso-
citation, there were present a number of
residents of Anacostia and several mem
bers of the Business Mems Association.
who are interested in the building OF the
bridge
The Commissioners were assured that
the residents on the Anacostia side of the
river are extremely anxious that the
bridge should be constructed and that
they were willing to donate land for the
right of way of an approach to the bridge
The Hon. Hillary A. Herbert, eX-Sec-
Rotary of the Navy. was The first to speak
on behalf of the bridge association He
said that the Commissioners were the
proper persons through whom the desires
of the general public of the District Of
Columbia should. be made known to Con-
gress. and that the South Capitol Street
Bridge Association had come to ask them
10 make favorable report upon the bill.
Mr.. Herbert called attention to the fact
that Congress had in 1895 recognized the
Street by ordering a survey to be made.
He pointed out a number of benefits that
would be derived from the placing OF
bridge at the foot of First Street. In the
first place he said that such a bridge
would render more accessible the Govern
ment property on the south side of the
river. Another Improvement, which me
considered of great value, would be the
reclamation of about 200 acres of marsh
land. This alone. he said ought TO pay
for the construction of the bridge He
then went on to give a detailed account
of the condition of the AnacCstia flats
and showed that they are a menace to
the health Of the people Of the District
of Columbia. In proof of these state
ments, ne submitted reports made by the
Health Department, and the Board of
Trade He pointed out that the bad san
itary conditions engendered by the Ana
costa fats affected especially the navy
yard and the Washington Barracks
In addition to the benefits that the bridge
would work in the removal of present
existing sanitary conditions. he said that
it would be OF great benefit to the city as
an outlet to the South. 1t would greatly
benefit the farmers and truck gardeners
by giving them a short route into the city.
and would. in addition, open up a new area
which he predicted would rapidly be built
up. and the city extended in that direc-
tion. He closed his remarks with an ap-
peal to the Commissioners to make a
strong, favorable report to Congress upon
the bill. He said there was no doubt in
his mind if the Commissioners made 4
favorable report that the appropriation for
the building of the bridge would be no
longer withheld
Mr.. Daniel orc. Callaghan endorsed all
that Mr.. Herbert had said. and pointed out
the increase of reyenGe that would come
TO the District BY the improvement of real
estate on both sides of the river in the
vicinity of the bridge. he called atten-
ton to the need for public dumps that
had long existed in the District. and said
that the bridge would supply them
Air. Raymond X. Heiskell voiced the
sentiments Of the people on the Anacostia
side of the river in regard 10 the matter.
He said that the outlet that would be af-
forded by the bridge was Of more i'm
portsnce to them than il was TO the peo-
pie Of Washington. He showed how great
a need existed at present Tor direct route
into the city. He said this direct route
would also Benefit the city iaasmuch as it
would open up what was practically new
territory.
Commissioner Beach at this point in
formed those present that the Commits
sioners were always ready and anxious to
meet the desires Of the people. but that he
asked who owned the land OF approach at
the point where it is proposed TO build the
bridge, and how that land could be ac-
CURED. He also called attention TO the
fact that there had in the past fey years
been great advance in bridge building.
and said that it would doubtless be better
to prepare new plans and build an arch
bridge instead of the truss structure con-
templated when the survey was made in
1885.
Mr. Peter +. Heiskell replied to the
question OF Commissioner Beach regard
ing the ownership of the land of approach
by saying that the property owners at
that point are SO anxious to have the
bridge that they are perfectly willing to
donate the land provided the bridge is
built
Mr.. Herbert added that pledges for the
donation Of land would be secured at once
and presented to the Commissioners or
to Congress at an early date. He re-
marked that report from the Commits
sioners On change of the style of bridge
would doubtless help matters along con
siderably.
In accordance with the act of June 6.
1900 Alfred Moss has been appointed by
the Commissioners to the duty OF com
plotting the index OF laws affecting the
municipal government of the District of
Rear Admiral Thomas o Seifridee. jr,
recently made a request that the Com
missioners grant him permission to CON
meet his house with the wires Of the Mu-
tual District Messenger Telegraph Com
pany. which run past his house. at 1867
Kalorama Avenue. The matter was re-
ferred to the District Electrical Engi-
neer lie informed the Commissioners
that the wires Of the messenger comrany
were illegally erected and that the Com
missioners had no risht TO authorize such
a connection as Admiral selfrldge had
asked The admiral was 50 informed yes
terday.
Walter c. Allen. the Electrical Engi-
neer. has forwarded n communication TO
the Commissioners relative 10 issuing
certain Termits to the local gas COMP ny
He states that the company having charge
of the uubHc IamUs is freoupDtIv re-