The Washington times., 1902-04-03
ROOTS AID DESIRED>
FOR MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Asked to Appeal to Congress
for Money for Cornerstone.
CHAIRMAN HOPKINS LETTER
Suggests That the National Encampment
of the G. A. R. in October Would Be
Fitting Time for Laying the Corner
stone-Small Appropriation Asked.

Secretary Root has been asked to use
his influence to secure an appropriation
from Congress at once, sufficient to assure
the laying of the cornerstone Of the
proposed memorial bridge during the an
nual encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic in October. :
Thomas S. Hopkins, chairman of the
Grand Army of the Republic committee on
Memorial Bridge. yesterday presented the
following letter relative to the project to
Secretary Root:
Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary OF War:
Sir: The undersigned respectfully in
vites your attention to the following:
The thirty sixth national encampment
of the Grand Army OF the Republic will be
held in this city during the week begin
ming October 6, 1902
1T has long been the hope OF the
Grand Army that there might be erected
at the National Capital fitting memorial
to the valor and patriotism OF the Ameri-
can soldier; as an object lesson to quick
en- and stimulate the patriotic instincts in
the hearts of the youth of the land.
THE great leaders of our armies have
been honored at the Capital by statues of
marble and granite and bronze, but We
look in vain for a single memorial to the
enlisted men of any of our wars, though
they bore the heat and burden OF the day,
and more than a half million gave UP
their young lives for God and country.
Across the river on the heights of Ar
iington is the city of our dead, where
sleep 1900 of the cOuntry's defenders.
The Grand Army believes that bridge
across the historic Potomac, from the
Capital City to Arlington, might be made
tn ha aTrlnr n
brave soldiers. and it is the earnest wish
of its members that such a bridge be cen
structed.
'.Ncr is this wish confined 10 the mem
bers of the Grand Army. The Confederate
veterans unite with US in asking for the
speedy commencement Of this undertake
ing which will add another link to bind
together the North and the South.
Some weeks since two ex-union and
two ex-Confederate soldiers called on the
President and invoked his aid in obtain
ing from Congress small appropriation
sufficient to enable the cornerstone Of the
bridge 10 be laid during the week that
the national encampment is to be in ses-
sion They were received most eourteously
and were assured Of his hearty co-opera-
tion. t
"It would be a gracious thing to have
this ceremony performed in the presence
and under the auspices Of the Grand Army
of the Republic. A more fitting occasion
could not be selected Nor does it admit
of delay; for 1t is hardly possible that the
national encampment will ever be held in
Washington again. The great majority OF
the comrades will. on that occasion. look
for the last time on the Capital when
they defended and saved. and for which
they have always cherished so strong an
affection.
ed with the significance and Importance
of the coming event are, through COM
mittees duly appointed, making extraor-
binary efforts to welcome the veterans in
a manner beitting the services they have
rendered their country.
The laying of the cornerstone of the
Memorial Bridge will be the crowning act
OF a memorable week.
Cur purpose in writing you Is to ask
that you will aid the committee which
has been appointed for the purpose, in
its efforts to secure prompt action in the
matter.
IF you deem it proper we shall be glad
to have you ask Congress TO select AMI
adopt one of the plans submitted to that
body in your letter addressed to the
Speaker of TIE House of Representatives
on the 9Th. of April, 1900, and to appro-
pirate a sufficient sum Of money to begin
the work at once.
We also ask you to take such other
steps in the premises as may to you seem
right and proper in the furthcrance of
the plan outlined above.
This committee will not urge Con-
gress to make 4 large appropriation. 1t
will be satisfactory il a sufficient SUM
be granted to ensure the laying of a col
nerstone at the time mentioned; for then
the veterans may return to their homes
grateful and happy that at last they have
been permitted to see with their own eyes
the beginning of that great work which
has so long been dear to their hearts,