Evening star., 1913-03-15

topography Of the country makes unde
sirable a high bridge under which vessels
could pass. the decreased length of bridge
required. under the new plans is in itself
a weighty consideration. At the same
time the necessity Of placing draw II
the bridge calls for such a treatment O
the spans as shall not result in. an ap
parent weakening of the structure at 1t!
central and vital point.
Suggested by Commission.
"All these things considered, the com.
mission recommends that the memoria
bridge proper begin at the proposed Lin.
coin memorial and extend to Analostar
Island; that supports be masonry pierl
of monumental character; that the spani
be so arranged as to present a uniform
appearance, the character of the draw
used being such as to bring about thi.
result. Also, that a concourse suited
to memorial treatment be established or
Anaiostan Island, and that the extension
of the -passageway from the Island t.
the Virginia shore be distinctly subordi.
nate to the bridge proper
THE competition already mentioned
having resulted In the selection Of one
Of the leading bridge builders Of the
country, 1t is not considered necessary tt
do more. than to have the subject. re.
studied in the light Of the new condi.
tons, and to have such modf1cattons
made in the plans as shall adapt then
to the principles above laid down. Al
of which may be accomplished under thu
direction OF the Secretary of War wher
the necessary appropriations shall bs
made. Such notifications would call FOL
the removal of the central Ornamental
towers, which would conflict with thu
proposed Lincoln memorial, and which
are not considered as in themselves de-
sirable features for the central portion
of a bridge structure.
I'm connection with the memorial
bridge, the acquisition and development
Of Analostan Island becomes an impor-
tant consideration. The island proper Is
to this should be added the flats at the
eastern end which must be reclaimed
eventually. The western portion separat-
ed from Georgetown by the narrow chan
trees and in part by sedges and water
plants. Forming an important. and beau
tiful park OF. all the views over the Po-
tomac, the Island should not be permitted
to come into .ddsagreeable occupancy,
but at the, earliest convenient opportun-
ity it should be purchased and developed
as a river park for the use Of that por-
ton OF Georgetown which is now entirely
without park facilities.
Desirable and Inexpensive.
.Inasmuch as the island will, be crossed
by the memorial bridge. it will be acces-
lsible. and at its present offered price IT
will form very desirable and inexpen-
:sfve addition to the park system.
.'The broader and simpler the treatment
OF the bridge to Arlington the closer will
be the connection between. the reserva-
tions now separated by the Potomac, and
the more vital will be the relation be-
tween the Potomac Park and the Airing
ton estate. Such a result becomes de-
sirable In the highest degree. when one
considers the immense numbers Of peo-
pie who resort not. only to Fort .Myer
but also to the Arlington cemetery.
The interest excited by the drills al
the cavalry post. the superb view from
the heights and the feelings OF patriotism
awakened by the vast field of the hero
dead, known or unnamed. all call for
such treatment of the entire reserva-
ton as shall not diminish but rather en-
hances the effect produHed on the visitor "
When the above report was written, OF
course, Montrose Park had not been &C.
quired for the use OF Georgetown resi-
dents. Also, the illusions in it to OBJ
servatory hill relate to the old Naval OBJ.
servatOry.