Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-05-19
HIGHWAY IS ASSURED.
senator Martin Says There is no Doubt
That Congress at Its Next session VIII
Pass Measure for Bridge and Drive.


Senator Martin positively assured his
hearers at the meeting OF the Mount
Vernon Avenue Association last night
that the memorial bridge across the
Potomac and the avenue to Mount
Vernon are as certain as anything 10
the future can possibly be. Bills for
the construction of the proposed bridge,
he stated had been passed on three
occasions by the Senate but intercepted
in the House. Former Speaker Can
non had been the principal barrier
against the movement, but as be Is by
no means as great man as formerly.
that the bill will be passed when ii
comes before a democratic House IS
virtully assured.
a representation ofthe association:
Notwithstanding the heat, attended the
meeting at the rooms OF the Chamber
Of Commerce last night. President
William B. ,Smoot, presided, and M.
B. Harlow was secretary. Senator
Martin, Representative Carlin, and
Walter Page, head OF the Goods Roads
Department OF the Agricultural Depart
meut, were among those present.
After the meeting had been called to
order Secretary Harlow gave succlnct
and comprehensive history OF the
movement looking to the construction
Of the proposed Mount Vernon avenue.
AS is generally known, Mr.. Harlow
was the originator Of the plan, which he
has been pushing since 1886, and which
Senator Martin and Representative
Carlin have been laboring to accom-.
plish since they have been members OF
Congress.
Representative Carlin followed Mr..
Harlow. He gave an exhaustive his
tory OF the legislation in connection
with the proposed bridge and boulevard,
but said it was unlikely that the move
ment would recei. consideration at the
specia session OF Congress, as legisla-
lion would doubtless be restricted to
but five measures. He, however, thought
there was a likelihood OF getting favor
able consideration Of the measures at
The regular session in December. Mr..
Carlin during the delivery Of his re-
marks showed that he had worked
a. siduouSly in the interests OF the
movement and would leave nothing
undone which would tend towards its
final accomplishment. He also re.
ferrcd to the fact that Senator Martin
had been equally active in his labors
for the accomplishment OF the purposes
oil the organization.
Mr.. CarIin took his seat amidst
much applause, after which President
Smoot announced that Senator Martin
would be the next speaker. The sena-
tor Was welcomed with the same hearty
acclamation he always receives in
Alexandria. He, too, went into his
toryzol the legislation enacted during
the past few years towards the proposed
memorial bridge across the Potomac
from which it is purposed to construct
Mount Vernon Avenue. The senator
called attention to the fact that the
measure had passed the Senate three
times, but had failed to pass the House,
The bill having been held up by one
man. He agreed with the statement
made by Mr.. Carlin that there is no
likelihood Of getting the measure be-
fore the special session OF Congress,
but said that at the regular session
which begins in December with demo
cratic majority in the House be was
certpin that the bill would pass
both houses of Congress. In
fact it was as certain as anything
in the future can be. The sena-
tor pleasantly observed that as he had
succeeded in getting the bill for the
memorial bridge through a republican
Senate three times, that Mr.. Carlin
should hc able to bring it through q
democratic House. The speaker as.
sured his bearers that, he would
labor in season and out of season for
the accomplishment OF the purpose, as
he had done in the past. During the
delivery of his speech Senator Martin
referred to the movement having for
It's object the turning over to the asso-
citation OF a claim OF 1920. 900, money
loaned the United States by Virginia
over hundred years ago. He argued
to show the business Of the claim and
was sure it would be paid eventually
Walter Page, head OF the good roads
department OF the agricultural depart
ment, was the next SPEAKER. He mani
tested equal interest in the movement
for the construction Of the avenue,
which he thought should not have its
terminus st Mount Vernon, but be
continued on to Richmond. s.,
Messrs. A. D. Brockett, Robert S.
Barrett, Charles Bendheith and J. Z
Clements made practical observations
concerning the importance OF the move
ment for the construction Of the
memorial bridge and the avenue.
Senator Martin before he left for
Washington stated that it was the pur-
pose Of Senator Swanson to have been
present at the meeting OF the associa-
ton, but that he was slightly indis-
posed and had not deemed it advisable
TO make the trip to Alexandria under
the circumstances.
Before the adjournment OF the meet
ing the following officers were chosen
for the ensuing year: President Taft,
honorary president; William B. Smoot,
first vice PRESIDENT; E. Z. Downham,
second vice PRESIDENT H. B. Harlow,
secretary and treasurer: A. d. Brockett,
J. r. Cation. J NJ. Hill. James E
Clements, J. E. Willard, John R. Nc
Lean, +. Walton Moore. executive
committee: Il. S. Barrett, ]. K. NJ
Norton, Hubert Snowden, Charles
Randi l.I.n Ga rI,Aar I2nntk. q