Evening star., 1912-09-05
Question of Installing Them on
Eastern Branch Bridges.
RAILROADS MOSTLY OBJECT
Representatives of Citizens Bodies
Speak in Their Favor.
BEFORE LIEUT.. COL. LANGFITT
United States Engineer Gives Hear
ing on Question at the south-
ern Building.

Favorable and unfavorable arguments
We're made by representative citizens and
representatives or electric and steam rail
way companies In regard TO the placing
OF draws in the various bridges across
the Eastern branch. in connection with
the Improvement of the Anacostia river.
at "a hearing this morning before Lieut..
Col. W. c. Langtitt OF the United States
Engineer Corps, in the Southern build
ing.
Recommendations signed by representa-
tNes OF civic bodies and OF citizens as
sociauons. representing territory contig
uous to the Anacostia river. were filed
with Col. Langfitt. as chairman OF the
engineer corps. They were as follows
We are In favor OF the Improvement
OF the Anacostia river above the Navy
Yard bridge along the general lines al
ready adopted for the project below the
bridge. and urge that the navigab bility of
the stream be preserved at least TO Ben
ming bridge.
We strongly favor the construction
of wide draws in all bridges spanning
the Anacostia river that would In any
way interfere with navigation.
We are unalterably opposed to the
construction of dam which will inter
fere with the steady flow OF the river
water. which would prove a menace to
the public health
The recommendation was signed hv
Thomas w. Smith. president OF the East
Washington Citizens Association; Albert
Schulteis of the Chamber of Commerce,
NJ. J. Weller of the Board of Trade Evan
Tucker. president of the Northeast
Washington Citizens Association: ID. 4.
Edwards. president of the Lincoln Park
Citizens Association. and 4. c. Herman
president of the Southeast Washington
Citizens Association.
Mr.. Weller Speaks on Question.
Mr.. Weller spoke on the advisa bilitv
of closing the river to navigation. by not
placing draws In the various bridges. He
argued also that if dam is constructed
the water would not have free flow.
DR.. William Woodward. health officer
of the District. urged that navigation be
maintained on the river at least AZ far
up as the Benning bridge. lie said that
IL Congress found II expedient not tn
run the channel far up as that point
1t should be dug as far up East Cap
itol street, where IL Is proposed TO con-
struct bridge across the river. lie
said that IL this bridge were constructed
could he had by residents on the eastern
side of the river.
John s. Flannery of the Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Washington Railroad Com-
pany opposed the construction OF draws In
the bridges. He said the railroad company
suggests that IL is unnecessary to put in
permanent draws. He said IL would be-
expensive. difficult to operate and dan
gerous. He said that the railroad tracks
could be raised. which would relieve tho
railway company of maintaining draw.
and that a bridge more pleasing to the
eye could be constructed.
C. p. King argued that the bridge OF
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company at Benning road Is SO fap>hp
that draw would be unnecessary. He
said the railway company does not op..
pose the improvement of the river. and
that If later a draw Is necessary for navi-
CATION it could be put in.
Mr.. Williams Opposes Draw.
G. n. Williams Of the Washington.
Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Rail-
way Company stated his company carries
about 100000 passengers across Its
bridge to and from Washington in year.
and that IL the company were compelled
to place a draw I'm the bridge II would
add to danger and loss of time.
He said that trains would be delayed
some times by the draw being opened for
navigation. and that before the company
be ordered to place in draw some es-
innate as to the tonnage in the naviga-
ton of the river ought to be made, show
ing that it would countefact the traffic
over the bridge.
l.. j. Phillips brick manufacturer.
stated that his company has erec ell
one-hundred- -thousand-dolla plaat 4so5t
a quarter of mile from the rive Ara
a short distance from the Natiora Tfata-
ing School for Boys believing taat
time a channel would be dug In tn = t"r
and thus afford navigation with SOU 4ct "
states by water He said he di aol
think the railroads should be allowed 10
block the river.
Others who spoke i'm favor OF the draws
were Sidney Bieber, ID. A Edwards.
president of the Southeast Washington
Citizens Association: Attorney G. III.
Merillat. Albert Schulteis of the Chamber
Of Commerce; A. q. Herman. president
of the Southeast Washington Citizens
Association: Allan Davis w. j. Frizzell.
William Potter. and Evan III. Tucker,
president of the Northeast Washington
Citizens Association.