The Washington herald., 1915-01-07
THE OPEN FORUM.
Virginia Reader Discusses Site for
Proposed New Bridge.

Editor of The Washington Herald:
There appears quite frequently in print
discussion as TO the location Of the pro-
posed new bridge to connect Washing
ton with Virginia, and it suggests that
there is a power at work TO further the
ends OF 4 few people, regardless of the
opinion OF the War Department or gov
ernment experts, by placing the bridge at
a place that would mean a large and
expensive condemnation of improved
property in Georgetown, with the ap-
proach on one of the most congested
streets in the city.
The superintendent of markets for the
District, originally hailing from Falls
Church, Va. dreams OF a great market
in Georgetown-not Washington-when
that expensive structure is erected with
Georgetown approach at a point that
cannot, for many reasons. be made ade-
quate for the business that It will be
expected to take care of.
There are many people residing in
Virginia who travel daily back and forth
over the electric lines who know what
the conditions have been and are at the
present time, and these people look AMI
hope for an improvement of those condi-
tions instead OF expensive improvements
with conditions remaining the same.
These people are patient and sympathetic,
and with their many years association
with Georgetown people naturally have a
kindly feeling for the old town: but they
do not feel they should allow their SYM
pathy to go to the extent OF indorsing
the suggestions of the superintendent Of
markets when he recommends that
bridge should he built by.the govern
mcnt spanning the river diagonalIy at
Thrty-fourth street to permit the gen.
tleman to carry out his ideas OF a whole
sale market three miles from the center
of the city upon a narrow street that
can barely take care of the traffic AL
ready there
Every person who traverses the present
route. whether Commuter or visitor 10
Arlington or Great Falls. feels that he is
paying tribute to Georgetown in time
lost, unnecessary delay, and worry when
he makes a trip. As there has been so
much seIfishness displayed on the
bridge question. the writer has yet to
find person who will say that Twenty
fourth and II streets is not the logical
place for the structure when the real
issue is brought out-the needs and ac-
.cCmmodatiOn of the travelling public II
would mean to the citizens Of Wash
inGton a new line with plenty of room
for terminals on both sides OF the river)
from the Union Station to Virginia by
way Of Massachusetts, avenue and VI
street or over the Capital Traction lines
to any part OF the city, and cut the tine
.of travel from ten to thirty minutes
each trip.
The old Acqueduct Bridge could remain
where it is for the accommodation Of
GEORGETOWN, and with small repairs
would fill that want for many years.
great many friends of the contem-
plated memorial bridge. the corner stone
Of which was dedicated many years ago
with imposing ceremonies. and now lies
as monument to organized labor in
vacant lot opposite the Treasury De-
partment. feel that these same interests
that opposed that structure have come
to life
A bridge is badly needed, but let it be
placed where 1t will serve the many and
not those who seldom use it.
C. PAINE PHILLIPS,
Clarendon, Va.