Evening star., 1902-02-06

ington the most important of all. The Arl-
ington Heights grounds contain l. 100 acres,
with frontage of about, one mile on the
Potomac They constitute one Of the grand
est and most beautiful parks in the coun-
try, the national cemetery occupying about
one-fifth Of the inclosure. In addition to it's
historical associations, the park abounds in
rare natural beauty and has been most
carefully kept and improved. Few cities
have so fine park contiguous to their bor-
ders. Arlington cemetery, where so many
heroes lie buried, has in a large measure
become like Great Britain's Westminster
Abbey the nations 'Walhalla.' Conse-
Grated as it is to our illustrious dead, with
it's stately and expressive monuments com
memorative of the deeds of patriots, its hal
lowed associations and it's lessons appeal
strongly to all visitors to the nations capi-
tai. But the journey thither by a round
about way, over roads controlled by local
authorities, which are rough at all times
and frequently well-nigh impossible, is not
only tedious and uncomfortable, but in
wolves an expenditure of time and money
| which deters great numbers from undertak-
ing it.
"a bridge over the Potomac at or about
the terminus of New York avenue near
Observatory Hill, would furnish short and
direct route to the park and cemetery, and
would in fact bring them to our very
doors. But the park and cemetery are not
alone to be considered. AS a means of di-
rect and rapid communication between the
| capital and the important military post of
+
! north, the value, in a military sense, of
| bridge at this point cannot be oVeresti-
! mated. Such bridge would also practi
caly join this beautiful park to the large
| area Of reclaimed lands the river all
| Of which is to form one grand park. Plans
for such bridge have been prepared by
| the engineer department, and it's construc-
| ton is urged as a necessity. 1t is respect
| fully recommended that Congress be re-
| quested to make an appropriation there
| for.
| also quote from the report of the Sec
retary of War for 1884, as follows:
81 renew the recommendation for improv-
| ed TRANSPORTATION facilities between the
| seat of government and the Virginia shore,
| and for the construction of q memorial
bridge to render speedily accessible the
| principal military post of the capital, Fort
| Myer and to furnish BETTING approach
to the national cemetery at Arlington. The
need of such bridge to Potomac Heights
grows more imperative each year, and the
| SURROUNDINGS suggest that it should be so
designed as to become one of the perma-
| nent memorial structures of the capital.
| Historical associations and natural beauty
| give the site unsurpassed value for such
| purpose.
The United States auartermaster general,
who has supervision over Arlington GEM
etery in 1891, recommended this bridge, as
follows: VI -
..The necessity for improved approaches
| to the Arlington National Cemetery and
Park, as referredbto in my last annual re-
| gress. and an appropriation therefor rec
| ommended Estimates made by engineers
of this department foralthe construction of
good macadamized roads, of a substantial
and durable character, fix the cost at $780,
0O0. -
'',The present intolerable condition of the
approaches to this historical spot, which
forms a part of ezof the most beautiful
parks in the country, and where so many
of the nations heroes are buried, should be
remedied at the earliest practicable date,
SO as to render 1t more accessible to the
people of the city of Washington and to
the thousands of visitors to the national
capital from all parts of the country.
j '.In this connection I also renew my
recommendation of last year. that an ap
preparation be made by Congress for tht
construction of bridge over the Potomac
at or about the terminus OF New York ave
nue. near Observatory Hill, which, If con
structed. will not only furnish short ane
direct route to the cemetery and park bur
/ also he a means Of direct and rapid com
| munfcation between the capital and the i'm
| portant military post of Fort Myer, Va.
which adjoins the cemetery on the north
The value from military point Of view O.
| a bridge at this place Is apparent
The Secretary of War In his report fol
| 1895 used the following language abou
| this bridge and Arlington:
Such structure can easily be made tn,
| most impressive of the worlds memOrial
to l1eroism The natural advantages 0
the site are unsurpassed. The region Il
associated with war as no other region o
| our country and the site Is distinctly ma
tional Such memorial bridge, ornament
ed with statues of our greatest warriors