The Washington herald., 1912-03-10
URGES NEW BRIDGE
OYER ROCK CREEK
Representative Hamill Says Con-
gress Should Not Delay
in Matter.

The delay of Congress in making an
Appropriation for the erection OF a new
bridge spanning Rock Creek at Calvert
street was sharply criticised last night by
Representative James A. Hamill. OF New
Jersey, in an address before the Con-
necticut Avenue Citizens Association In
the assembly hall Of the Army and Navy
Preparatory School.
IF Congress delays too long in this
matter" said Representative Hamill,
ian accident will occur on this rickety
structure, and then 1t will be too late
for the erection of a new bridge. Such
procrastination is like unto the old sdage
OF locking the stable door after the horse
has been stolen And who Is to be held
responsible II with the greater conges-
tion on the bridge an accident shonld oc-
cur in which there should be loss Of life
and limb7
For three years the District author
tiles have contended that this Calvert
street bridge is safe. that the vibration
was not excessive. and that there was no
indication of danger. Yet they employed
an outside bridge expert last October,
and this expert reported that the changes
now being made were essential to public
safety.
Saw for Himself.
Tonight as 1 came to this meeting
noticed barriers al each end OF the
bridge TO keep vehicles OF the structure.
and pedestrians are being warned to use
the car tracks in passing over It. And
yet this is the bridge claimed to be ade-
quate and safe! What would be the feel
ing OF any man in Congress who voted
F.1@N Al
accident occurred on this closely guarded
structure?
"A new bridge should be speedily
built" continued the speaker, and
am heartily in favor and every Senator
and Representative should be heartily in
favor of such action Congress should
cooperate with District citizens to this
end and as a first step see that money
for plans is made Immediately available.
The bridge should be In keeping with
the demands OF modern development and
should be of REINFORCED concrete. II is
this type Engineer Bailey favors."
Representative Henry George. jr. Of
New York. however. took issue with Mr.
Hamil on the method OF raising money
to pay for the new structure.
IF a beautiful span is built across
Rock Creek" said Mr.. George. 1.-THE only
persons who will be benefited are the
property owners OF that section. There
fore, why should Congress and the other
people OF the District be asked 10 con-
tribute a large sum to defray the ex-
penses OF such a venture?
Would Assess Owners.
"A new bridge would necessarily in
crease land values out in this section,
therefore property owners should be as
sessed a nominal sum for its erection.
This plan is applied in laying out pub
lie highways. and the bridge is on the
same principle. When we wish to i'm
prove a street, We don't tax the entire
people OF the District. but assess the
owners Of property abutting on such
streets. I will vote for this and no 9TH
er principle
The meeting was one Of the most en-
thusiastic since the inception OF the as
sociaton. fourteen new members being
voted into the organization. President
d. l. Selke presided. and reports OF the
various committees showed that the
work accomplished has been satisfactory.
A resolution was adopted advocating a
visit to the Appropriation committees Of
the House and Senate for the purposs
OF urging an appropriation for the cree
ton OF the bridge.
New members elected were Harry Ward
man, II. G. AmSley. William Wolff Smith,
]. ]. Murphy, Jesse W. Proctor. c arence
Baker. DR.. T. A. Poole, r. Earle Ander-
son, s. Lemon Eoover, d. y. Clark,
Albert Stewart, Commodore w. s. Hogg
E Dana Durand. and A r, Yeakle