Evening star., 1902-03-15
MEMORIAL BRIDGE
President Roosevelt Inter-
ested in It's Construction.
APPROPRIATION ASKED
UNION AND CONFEDERATE VET
ERANs AT WHITE HOUSE.
Efforts to Secure Funds for Beginning
at the G. A. r. Encamp-
ment Next Fall.


at the G. A. r. Encamp-
ment Next Fall.
The aid Of President Roosevelt has been
secured in the effort to get an appropriation
for the laying of the corner stone Of the
proposed memorial bridge across the Poto-
mac river during the Grand Army of the
Republic encampment in Washington in Oc-
tober.
A delegation of two ex-Tnion and two ex
Confederate soldiers-"Corporal' James
Tanner. Thomas S Hopkins, VIM. A. Cor
don and Frank Hume-talked with the
President today about the hopes of the old
soldiers of the country for memorial
bridge and left with the President a state
ment as TO the matter. The veterans asked
the PRESIDENTS aid to get through Congress
at this session an appropriation for the
corner stone and were assured of the chief
executives assistance and hearty sympa-
thy.
The Presidents Approval.
The President was most cordial to the
delegation. and said that the plan met with
his approval in every respect The delega
encampment of the g. A. r. may be the
last II will ever hold in Washington and
that the occasion could be made forever
memorable by laying the corner stone of
structure that will mean 50 much 10 the
sentiments and good will of the people of
the old north and the old south.
The Presidents callers were greatly
pleased with his warm attitude in support
of the project and feel much encouraged
over the outlook for securing an appropra-
ton.
The Architectural Competition.
In the architectural competition for the
memorial bridge plans were submitted by
four leading architects and bridge builders,
which were carefully gone over by the
board Of three officers of the engineer
corps of the army and two local architects.
Professor Burr's plan was selected, with
slight notifications and the matter present
ed to Congress for an appropriation to be-
gin the construction. A delay was occas-
ioned by the submission Of plans by private
parties and the agitation became less ur-
gent.
President McKinley's Advocacy.
The construction Of this bridge has been
hanging fire for a long time, but the death
of President Mckinley reawakened interest
In the matter, due partly to the fact that he
was known as an earnest advocate of such
a structure and was desirous Of seeing 1t
erected. In his annual message Of 1899, he
said:
The proposed bridge would be conven-
fence to all the people from every part OF
the country, an ornament to the capital
city OF the nation and forever stand
monument to American patriotism. DO not
doubt that Congress will give to the enter
prise still further proof of it's favor and
approval.
The G. A. RS Endorsement.
While the President lay dying at Buffalo
the Grand Army of the Republic. In session
at Cleveland. considered in convention the
subject Of a memorial bridge designed as a
tribute 10 patriotism The convention ap-
proved the action of the council of admin
istration. which passed resolutions strongly
urging erection of the bridge in the name
of the militant servants of the nation and
pledged the support Of their organization
to secure necessary legislation.
Resolution Adopted.
The subject of the badge was taken up
in the form of an appeal made to the en-
campment By VIM S. Odell. past COM
mander OF the Department of the Potomac
The preamble and resolution as presented
Were as follows:
Whereas the whole nation is interested
In the national capital at Washington, d.
lington. in which every state has buried
worth and sacred interest to guard and
keep; and. whereas the construction Of a
memorial bridge across the Potomac river
connecting the capital city with the city
Of the dead has been urged repeatedly
by several quartermaster generals Of the
army by the Secretary OF War and by the
President of the United States as a Just
tribute to the loyalty and to the patriot
ism OF those who died that this nation
might live.
Therefore be II resolved by the survivors
OF the Union army, that while they have
fully indorsed as patriotic and proper the
expenditure of large sums of money in
beautifying the parks at Gettysburg and
Chattanooga, the Washington monument
and expenditures for other patriotic pur-
poses there still rests sacred obigat ton
on the government to span the Potomac
with memorial bridge. sacred to the ma
tions heroes buried at Arlington. thus for
ever uniting the north and south in ever
lasting union.
Resolved. That the Presnent Of the
United States be respectfully requested to
recommend in his coming message to Con-
gress the construction of such a memorial
bridge as shall be an honor to the nation
and a tribute of respect to the silent dead
The Memorial Arch Project.
Then I'm connection with the Mckinley
memorial arch II was suggested that the
bridge and arch be combined and II at
any time the body of the President should
be brought TO Arlington. the arch. bridge
ard tomb could be associated to give a
character a Mckinley memorial In the
name OF and as tribute to American
patriotism.
Gen. John NJ. Wilson's Views.
In an interview last September, Brig Gen
John NJ. Wilson. retired. who as chief Of the
Corps of Engineers of the War Department
erfe cd MIA nd n
architectural competition. suggested that
the Mckinley Memorial arch be made a
part Of the Washington end Of the bridge,
and the whole great structure known as
the Mckinley Memorial bridge.
Gen. Wilson knew the Presidents great
interest in having the bridge built, and
one Of the reasons given was that 1t would
create q favorable sentiment In cementing
the growing feeling of good will between
the north and south.