Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-01

associated with war as no other region OF
our country and the site is distinctly ma
tional. Such a memorial bridge, ornament
ed with statues Of our greatest warriors,
with symbolical figures of the strong quail
ties that warfare brings into play, and with
representations of the crucial events in ma
tional history, would be the same incom-
parable memorial to the greatness Of a
peaceful people aroused by war as our sim
gle shaft to Washington is the worthiest
monument to individual greatness which
human genius has yet executed. 1t Is not
proposed that the establishment of the
bridge shall now be provided for, but IL is
urged that Its ultimate memorial chaI acter
shall be considered in the first designs and
earliest appropriations"
From the annual report of Secretary Al
ger, 1893 the following extract Is taken:
Il renew the recommendations of my
predecessors that an appropriation be made
by Congress for the construction of bridge
over the Potomac river between the naval
observatory grounds and the Arlington res
ervation. which will furnish short and
direct route to the cemetery and park and
afford rapid communication between the
capital end the large military post of Fort
Myer, Va. This is an important matter,
and ii is hoped it may receive the consider
alton of Congress at its coming session"
The annual report of Secretary Root
1899, states:
1T is greatly to be desired that progress
! be made toward the erection of the pro-
posed memorial bridge between the city of
Washington and the heights of Arlington.
| The value OF, the sentiment inspired in all
| the people of our country who visit the ma
tional cemetery upon these heights and are
affected by its associations cannot be over
estimated. The cemetery Is now practically
| far removed from the city by the long, cir
| cutous and disagreeable approach. The
| proposed bridge would afford q dignified
! and suitable approach to this historic place.
| make IT accessible to all the people who in
/ habit or who visit Washington. and the
hut ra trnn t....r -
| made itself an architectural structure wor-
! thy to rank with the monument to Wash
! ington, the Capitol and the Congressional
Library as an ornament to the capital city.
| After the bridge should come the con-
struction of broad avenue connecting Ar
| lington with Mount Vernon and making the
! access from the capital to the home OF
| Washington worthy of the reverence In
| which all Americans hold his memory
Reference by President Mckinley.
| President McKinley's annual message to
| Congress. dated December 5. 1899, contained
the following reference to the memorial
| bridge:
Congress at its last session appropriated
s., 600 to enable the chief of engineers OF
the army to continue the examination Of
the subject and to make or secure designs
calculations and estimates for memorial
| bridge from the most convenient point OF
cent thereto across the Potomac river &c
| the most convenient point of the Arlington
estate property In accordance with the
provisions of this act. the chief of engineers
I has selected four eminent bridge engineers
to submit competitive designs for a bridge
combining the elements of strength and
durability and such architectural embellish
ments and ornamentation as will fifty apply
| to the dedication. "A memorial to American
patriotism The.designs are now being pre-
pared. and as soon as completed will b<
submitted to Congress by the Secretary OF
| War. The proposed bridge would be a con.
| venince to all the people from every part o,
| the country who visit the national GENE.
| terry, an ornament to the capital of the ma
ton. and forever stand aa a monument &C
| American patriotism. I do not doubt thai
Congress will give the enterprise still fur.
| Their proof Of It's favor and approval"
Endorsement Universal
The sentiments Of Union and confederate
soldiers are shown In letter written Il
l Secretary Root by Mr. Thomas s. Hopkins