The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-15
UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSE
BRIDGE RELOCATION
Georgetown Citizens Vote for
Present or 34th Street Site,
at Mass Meeting.

Placing themselves on record as IN
eo Iivocally opposed to any change in
b. Aqueduct bridge site that would
&c the Washington terminus east Of
h center Of Georgetown, and favor
nF the present site or one as near to
L as possible, preferably at Thirty
Fourth street. hundreds of citizens OF
&c orgetown and Alexandria and Fair
FAX counties, Va, packed Potomac
Sa Wings Bank hall and overlooked into
he corridors and the street last night
b a mass meeting to Save the Bridge"
b Georgetown.
The meeting broke up with tumultuous
approval, Immediately after the passage
bf resolutions protesting against
bridge terminus east of Wisconsin ave-
hue, and hundreds of sweltering men
81 rged out In enthusiasm to the side
walk for free-for-an discussion OF the
hction taken. 800
Resolutions were passed after speech
es by a number Of business men and
citizens of Georgetown and the north
arm Virginia counties. Action was pre-
cipitated by those who wished to es-
e pc the awful heat of the packed hall
The meeting WIS probably the big
Eest and most enthusiastic ever held
II Georgetown, yet IL was run off with
noothness and dispatch.
Aged Woman Talks.
One Of the most striking figures at
the meeting was Miss Alice Morton,
kighty-five, who recalled the building
of the old AQueduct bridge structure,
and asked retention of the present
bridge site as a matter of sentiment
Miss Morton could not stand the
btTain of an endeavor to make herself
beard throughout the big hall, and A.
k Paris, Of Crane Paris & Co, and
an officer of the Georgetown Citizens
ISOLATION, interpreted her address to
the mass meeting. 1t was enthusiast
cally applauded.
When G. W. Offutt, temporary chair
man, called the meeting to order,
lew minutes after 5 O'Clock. the hall
was packed to the doors. He told OF
The purpose Of the meeting and. asked
for the election of officers. ~
J. Holdsworth Gordon, nominated by
George w. Ray, was elected permanent
chairman by acclaim. William king
and G. W. Offutt were elected vice
secretary, was elected as permanent
Secretary.
Edward Reed of Park Lane, Va, was
Introduced by the CHAIRMAN after A. |
k. Paris had concluded for Miss Nor
BON Mr.. Reed expressed regret that
Ehere were some residents Of northern |
Virginia who were not with the cit |
gems of Georgetown on the bridge pro-
posals, but these he said were a mi |
.hority. They selfishly sought to save
fdYe minutes or so in getting downtown |
Ia Washington and were willing to sac
ftfice all Of the great interests of both |
fommunites to this end. He warned |
bf the influence OF the railroads, and
Declared that they must be fought as a
)menace. +. |
The Power of Protest.
The private citizen" he said, has a
greater power today than he has ever
enjoyed since the founding Of the re-
public. This is the power Of united
protest A majority in northern Vfr- |
|einia viii stand with the citizens OF
Georgetown on this issue, but you must |
<eep clear of alliances that would !
bring antagonIsm."
George H Rucken, county clerk of |
elexandria county. said that he had |
PIE kfndliest feeling for Georgetown |
because for fifteen years he had made
Fis money in the county and spent it I
u Georgetown.
be declared, '1n convincing the Com
fnissioners and Just Congress that /
Il 3 best for all concerned to have the
Prtdge at or near the present site. We
eh appreciate how badly a new bridge
Is needed I utter a silent prayer OF
bne in safety
Vincent L. Tcomey was next intro
puced- The present bridge" he said,
rs physically and mechanically unfit,
put II is geographically perfect As to
pnr right 20 1t. 1t is well to reflect Who
bai Id for the old bridge. Money was
20 tributed by Alexandria, GEORGETOWN
krd Washington. and for years It was
, tOll bridge. Tolls were exacted from
'1sers Of the bridge until the building
2 money came back. SO 1t is we'll to re-
h"ct who paid for the bridge and to
y nom title rightfully and in justice
be 0ngs.
That the present bridge is well 10
ca ed Is proven by its continued and in
leasing use through all the years that
II has stood. There would not be one
word of protest II the present bridge
co lid oe rehabilitated and let stand, it
lE well located.
The distance is shorter In a direct
lire from Rossyln to Twenty-ffth street
h an II is through Georgetown, but is
4 we'll to ruin the business prosperity
Of this community to save fire minutes
r time for through passengers on the
b. lipes7" ,