The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-02

| cost would be of secondary considera-
| ton
| The Secretary OF War, in an annual, re-
| port urges the building of the Memorial
| Bridge, and says after the bridge will
| come the avenue connecting Arlington
| and Mount Vernon.
Commissioner Mcfarland in his last re-
port urges the building of the bridge.
Views of Mr.. Edison.
Mr.. John Joy Edison in his annual ad-
November II, 1861, says:
Not only is there necessity for this
bridge, but a strong sentiment connected
Herewith prevails. Between Virginia and
the District of Columbia there is not at
present a suitable bridge. Long Bridge
and Aqueduct Bridge are both unsightly
and unsafe. President Mckinley, to use
his own language considered that it would
be an appropriate and lasting memorial
10 American patriotism Now. after his
death, and his wishes and interest in Il
project being so well understood, IL would
seem eminently fit and proper at the COM
ing session of Congress to decide upon and
provide for the building of this bridge
Urged by the Park Commission.
The Park Commission in its report also
urges that the bridge be built and pre-
sents as part of its plan for beautify-
ing the Capital City that the Mount Yer
ncn Avenue also be constructed. and sug-
gests as matter of economy that the
right of way be secured at once.
Every sentiment of patriotism and bust
ness dictates that both the bridge and ave-
nue. be promptly built. An appropriation at
this session would enable the work to be
done before the tercentennal date, and
these two great works would in them
selves be an exhibition that would be well
worth seeing.
The Senate has repeatedly passed the
bill to build the bridge and there can
now be no reason why the matter be long
er delayed TO the detriment of the Capt.
tai, the nation, and Virginia.
The Grand Army of the Republic has Of
ten urged the building of the bridge. 1t
would be graceful and appropriate thing
If Congress were to arrange so that the
encampment to be held here in October
could lay the corner stone of the struc
ture which is to commemorate their
and their comrades deeds Of yalor.
Character of the Avenue.
Mount Vernon Avenue is to be $50 feet
in width, with 60-foot driveway. and
pedestrian and cycle paths on either side.
The distance from Arlington to Mount
Vernon is about seventeen miles. 1t is
the purpose of the association to divide
the entire distance into fifty sections. and
present one to each State and Territory.
where trees. shrubs. flowers, plants. etc,
indigenous to the State can be planted
and each State is to be asked to erect a
permanent building thereon in which can
be exhibited the products of the farm,
and mine together with such de-
scriptive matter as Is desirable to pre-
sent the advantages of the respective |
States, thus having at the National Capt. !
tai perfect. permanent exhibition of the !
most attractive features of every State |
and Territory. Strangers from all parts |
of the world could thus, at glance, as |
il were. be brought face to face with the !
magnificence. and wealth of |
our entire sisterhood of States. The per- |
feature of the arrangement Will |
make it much more desirable and so prac-
tically reduce the expense as to induce |
the States to more promptly take up the 1
matter and make the necessary appro- /
priations. The cost of keeping up the ex-
hibition would be borne by the exhibit
tors and in fact would be very trifiing
Nearly all the States have exhibited |
at the various worlds fairs, the great
cost being for buildings that were after
ward of little or no value. The buildings
erected here would be permanent and
the outlay would prove profitable in
yestment.
With the bridge and avenue built, our
chain would be complete. Having Joined
our fragments We can now proceed to
take view of the whole as seen on the