Evening star., 1913-03-15

l. am willing to trust the Speaker OF the
House Of Representatives: ]. am willing to
am willing to trust the two chairmen OF
the committees to deal with this matter
economically, and we constitute them
commission to determine what kind or
bridge shall be built II they want to
build bridge costing $1,5OO.OO0 or less,
1t is all right with US. All we ask Is for
Congress at this time to settle this matter
that has been delayed for more than
twenty years. The people of the. south
who want to come into Washington have
some rights. Are we to be held up here
eternally?
1T seems to me the idea to have there
a magnificent memorial superstructure is
ht-commemorative. of the reunion of
the north and the south, to thus bridge
the Potomac that once was the, dividing
line that marked the hope and valor OF
eleven states south of it, that marked
the valor and purposes of other states
north Of 1t. We ask that what was once
a hostile dividing line between hostile
camps shall be bridged by magnificent
structure illustrative Of a united country,
indicative Of the fact that the Potomac
no longer divides two sections, but that
this magnificent superstructure shall be
monument to the fraternal feeling that
exists between the north and the south.
This has been delayed twenty years.
That It might not be delayed twenty
years longer between those who want a
cheap bridge and those who want a
magnificent superstructure-so as to elimi-
nate that difference we constitute COM
mission the Membership OF which cannot
be impeached; the integrity. ability and
economy of which cannot be questioned.
Endorsed by President jackson.
According to Daniel Webster, speaking
in 1851. Gen. Jackson. when he was
President, was among the first, il not the
very first, to urge memorial bridge
across the Potomac. That fact IL
brought out in the report Of the park
commission, issued. as Senate document
No. 166 in 1902. That commission. con-
Charles F. McKim, Augustus Saint Gau.
dens and Frederick Law Olmsted, al
of them among the most famous archi-
tects and artists of the country. was ap-
pointed by the Senate District commit.
tee Ito prepare plan for the develop
ment and Improvement Of the entire parl
system Of the District of Columbia > &
In this comprehensive report i there il
a discussion Of various plans and projects
for the proposed memorial bridge. The
report says, In part:
"On the occasion of laying the corner
stone Tor the extension OF the Capitol
on, the Fourth of July. 1851, Daniel Web.
ster, In an fmpassioned plea for the pres.
ervation OF the Union. which, in h!s
prophetic vision, seemed even then on the
verge Of dissolution said:
:. Before us is the broad and beautiful
river. separating two of the oFfginal
thirteen states, which q late President
4 man Of determined purpose and infiexi.
BILE will. but patriotic heart, desired
to span with arches Of eyer.en-
during granite, symbolical of the firmly
established union OF the north and thu
south That President was. Gen. jackson.
.The struggle" the park commission
report continues. which the orator ana
the statesman were powerless to aver
brought about the perpetuation Of thu
Union; and today the survivors Of, thai
war. both those of the north and those
of the south, using the words Of Presi.
dent Mckinley, urge the building of tht
memorial bridge as monument te
American vaiOr.