Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-30
Bridge and Memorial.

A decision by the Lincoln memorial
commission to adopt the suggestion Of
the fine arts commission would be sure
to meet with entire public approval If 1t
embraced strong recommendation that,
coupled with or an integral part of the
memorial itself, should be bridge across
the Potomac river. commemorative of the
reunion OF the sections which met on the
field Of war in the sixties. It will not
do merely to create the memorial at the
site named by the fine arts commission
and trust to future action by Congress
to authorize the construction Of q brit ;e
joining the District and Virginia at this
point. Washington has reason to realize
the slowness with which Congress con-
siders all such projects The plan Tor a
memorial bridge to Arlington has been
pressed for adoption for more than a
quarter Of a century. While its merits
have been acknowledged, 1t has been inn
possible to get both houses OF single
Congress to agree to put It In the way
OF execution. The chances Of its adop-
ton would. Of course. be somewhat i'm
proved with the Lincoln memorial To-
Gated on the eastern bank Of the Poto-
mac, but there would be no guarantee
that Congress would promptly proceed
to the approval of the bridge plan. even
with. the memorial completed.
The argument for making the bridge q
definite part of the memorial itself Is par
ticularly strong. From every point Of
view It is suitable to the scheme Of COM
memorating Lincoln's services in q
permanent creation. It Ii In itself
most eloquent symbol Of Lincoln's work.
1t will be practical like the man, brought
close to the peoples daily lives by It's
uses. serving well all the activities OF
everyday existence. Its architectural
treatment would make 1t one Of the most
conspicuous features Of tho District Its
position across the Potomac. linking the
sections at the most historically significant
point along the entire boundary between
the north and the south Of half a century
ago. would cause it to become a truly
national expression Of the peoples senti-
ment. 4a
There Is. furthermore a practical rea-
son for a distinct coupling Of the me-
mortal bridge plan with the Lincoln me-
mortal project, whether one is part Of
the other or not. The bridge would
make easily accessible the site now
named for the memorial, which other
wise would be out OF the reach Of all
save those fortunate enough to possess
private means of conveyance. With a
bridge across the Potomac at this point
leading directly to Arlington. and doubt
less becoming In time the main carriage
thoroughfare from the District into vir-
ginia. the Potomac Park site Of the Lin
coin memorial would be within reach not
merely of those journeying especially to
see it. but multitudes moving in the
course Of their usual activities. One OF
the strong arguments for the location
OF the memorial on the Union station
plaza has been that 1t would be within
close range Of a great number Of people
every day. becoming an intimate factor
Of the Washington scene. impressing its
significance upon the American public,
as one Of the advocates of this site
aptiy urged, every time the train came
In" Without the memorial bridge stimuli
taneously created with the memorial
itself 1t would stand. aloof and isolated.
on the banks of the Potomac. a distant
thing Of beauty, but lacking in the close
suggestiveness which its character de-
mands.