Evening star., 1915-01-11
War Department Unwilling to
Pay Whole Cost at George i
town Site. |
HOUSE committee FOR
$4,0OO,O 900 SCHEME
Would Have Railroad Rebuild
Aqueduct Spans and U. S. Erect
Arlington Structure.

There is SO small chance OF getting
through Congress a bill to erect a new
aaueduct bridge near the site OF the
present supposedly unsafe structure, IL
the federal treasury is to bear the en-
tire cost, that 1t is hardly worth while
considering such a proposition in this
session. according to the views of sew
eral members Of the House committee
on interstate and foreign commerce.
Notably is Chairman Adamson of this
opinion. He believes that the federal
government will be willing to pay as
much as one-third of the cost of a new
bridge and not a cent more. although
he claims that the War Department
has but a ten-per-cent interest in the
use of the present bridge or a new
bridge in the same general locality.
The receipt of letter from Secre-
tary Garrison of the War Department.
declaring the bridge unsafe. and ac-
quiescing in the proposal to build an
other bridge, will not hasten the com.
mittee on interstate and foreign COM
merce In its report on a new bridge.
Awaits Garrison's Say.
"If the War Department will recon-
mend that the United States shall pay
the entire cost of new bridge in the
general locality now occupied by the
present bridge" said Chairman Adam
son today. this committee might be
willing to report cut a bill such as
Representative Carlin wants. However,
l understand from army officers that
for the bridge and that it uses the
Highway bridge much more fre-
quently."
The House committee believes that
those who use the bridge should pay
for a new one. The state of Virginia
is not willing to pay for any OF the
bridge. according to its representa-
tives who have spoken their minds on
the subject: the District Of Columbia is
not clamoring to pay for federal
bridge. and the War Department mas
not answered the question as to
whether the federal government should
pay for all OF it. Therefore the bridge
matter hangs fire still.
Plan $4,000, 900 Bridge.
However, there is a possibility that
the proposal which will eventually
reach the House will be something on
the following lines:
A bill providing for a four-million-
dollar structure, to be purely fed
eral bridge, thrown across the Potomac
straight on a line with the extension
of New York avenue, touching the Nfr-
Rinia shore at the base OF the Arling-
provision permitting the railroad
company to rebuild the present Aque-
duct bridge and to utilize 1t In connec-
ton with necessary public use.
This scheme is evolving in the COM
for life than any of the others at the
present moment. The hand OF Chair
man Adamson may be seen in this COM
bination, as he believes the new Aaue
he Ya
persons using II, and he has said right
along that he thinks the railroad COM
pany gets the most benefit from II. Prt-
vate interests rebuilding bridge for
want SO fine a bridge as the government
would want to build. and. therefore, It
is suggested that authority be given
the railroad company to rebuild, at q
cost of half a million dollars.
Ornamentation Later.
The New York avenue extension bridge
would be in this plan four-million-dollar
bridge. The s4,0OO,O00 should all be spent
for bridge purposes and no ornamentation-
Then the proponents of a memorial bridge
would be allowed to place tablets. statues.
ETC., on the bridge under the supervision
of the fine arts commission In this way
the federal government would pay $4,000
zatitons of all sorts could pay for what
ever sentiment is to be attached to the
structure and for the memorial tablets,
etc.
Need of New Bridge Pointed Out.
Many letters have been received at
the War Department in regard to the
growing necessity for a new CONNER
cial bridge across the Potomac to re-
place the condemned Aqueduct bridge.
Many Of the writers favor the Carlin
plan of having the new bridge enter
the District at 34th street in George
town, while others, notably the West
End Citizens Association, advocate II
street as the best place for the District
end Of the bridge. All the correspond
ents are informed that the War De-
partment has nothing to do in the mat
ter. but to follow the direction of Con-
emhndied In leRislafiOn