Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-22


urged that there were many reasons that
made the new bridge vital necessity
paramount of which were the unsightli-
ness. inadequacy and unsafety of thu
present structure. He said that the pres
ent bridge was built in 1891, having III
view the operation Of only light cars
over the street railway line, but now the
heaviest cars In the city are crossing the
bridge, carrying q tremendous amount OF
traffic.
Section Tricky Populated.
Both sides of Connecticut avenue, he
said. are now a succession OF thickly
populated sections, such as Woodley
Park, Connecticut Avenue Heights, Con-
necticut Avenue Terrace. Cleveland
Park, Chevy Chase, D. c.. and Chevy
Chase, Nd. Prof. Veditz spoke Of the
heavy traffic in building materials and
supplies of all sorts for the thousands
of homes tributary to that bridge.
He pointed out that a large proportion
of the business houses, whose delivery
wagons make regular trips to meet the
demands of the rapidly growing subur-
ban population, as well as the large
number of automobiles, use that bridge.
He referred to the large amount of travel
to the Chevy Chase and Columbia Coun-
try clubs and Bannockburn club, which
are located on the Chevy Chase line.
The great crowds that go out to the
Geological Park and to Chevy Chase
Lake. particularly in the cars during
the spring and summer. when the cars
are run on close headways, were re-
ferred to as a very cogent argument for
new bridge.
Despite the twenty years of steadily
increasing traffic, and with every pros
pect that greatly increased demands Will
be made upon it. he said. the bridge Is
being reduced from total width Of over
fifty feet to a total Of forty feet, or, said
Prof. Veditz, IF we exclude the side
walks. from thirty-nine to twenty-six
feet" In other words, he said. thS width
of the roadway for cars and vehicles OF
all sorts has been cut down one-third.
The reduction Of the space for vehicles.
he said, will involve a very dangerous
congestion on the bridge, and will cause
all traffic at times to go in slow pro-
cession, thereby not only making for
delay, but also occasionally bringing
very heavy loads to bear upon the bridge
at one time. whose safety under ordinary
conditions is at least uncertain.
Prof. Veditz told the committee that
the citizens crossed the bridge with fear
and trembling, and he said one OF the
Commissioners is quoted as remark1ng
that he himself never crossed It without
that same feeling.
He recommended that a competent out
side engineer be authorized to examine
the bridge again, after the changes have
been made and that the report of the
examination be made public: that suf-
ffcient amount, say 5000. be appropri-
ated for plans and estimates for new
bridge. and that heavy traffic on the
bridge be regulated by the District
authorities to minimize the danger.
Women Urge Training School.
The plea in behalf Of the Training
school for White Girls was made to the
committee by a committee OF seven wom-
en-, representing fifteen organizations of
women in the National Capital. They
wanted. first, that the name of the Girls
Reform School be changed to Training
School for Girls, and, secondly, that the
appropriation, in whole or in part, of
10000 in the bill for an addition to the
school be specifically designated for a
building for white girls, the present
school being entirely for colored girls.
We want the wild and straying white
girls of the city properly trained" said
Mrs. George T. Smallwood in the course
of the hearing. They may not vote,
but they will be wives and mothers"
How do you know they will not vote?"
Senator Gal1inger inquired.
I'VE want to challenge that state
men," Mrs. Mary 8. Lockwood, a strong
suffragist, interrupted to say It's be,
cause we want to train them to be good
citizens and to vote. as we'll as to be
wives and mothers, that we ask for pro-
vision for them"
The delegatiOn Whicn cdlieu upon the
subcommittee this morning was composed
OF Mrs. Edward b. Olney. Mrs. John
Newton Culberson. Mrs. Emma S. Shell
ton. Mrs Mary S. Lockwood, Mrs. Adolph
Kahn, Mrs George T. Smallwood and
Mrs. James Lansburgh.
As the head of the delegation, Mrs.
OIney told the committee that the women
present spoke in behalf Of fifteen Or
CARNATIONS of the District. with several
thousand membership Federation of
women's Clubs. w. G. T. L.. Columbia
Heights Art Club, Women's Single Tax
Club. National Society OF the ID. A. r.,
Washington Alliance of Jewish Women.
Vomen's Suffrage Association, Women s
National Press Association. Jewish Immi-
grafton Bureau, United Daughters of the
ConfedsCacy, Ladies OF the Union Veteran
Legion. International Reform Bureau.
Congress of Mothers. Pen Women S
League and Y. W. G. A.
White Girls Not Cared For.
IL was pointed out that at the Girls
Reform School at present provision Is
made only for colored girls. White girls
who need the training In such an institu-
ton. it was added, are sent to sectarian
institutions at government expense. 1t Is
felt by the women of the organization
represented. IL was declared, that there
should be an institution, under public
control, where delinquent white girls car
be restrained and trained
The District appropriation bill, as Il
has been passed by the mouse, con
tains provision for $50, 900 for al
addition to the present Girls Reform
School. and IL was requested that a
part of this, at least. be available fol
fitting quarters for white girls.
In answer to a question from Sena.
tor Gallinger, the women said they die
not insist on separate institution
from the present colored school, bu
did want separate quarters. IL mors
could not be done. 1t was suggested
that cottage for white girls be pro
vided.