Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-29
Aqueduct Span "at or Near
Present Location Feasible,
Mr.. Garrison Says.
FOUNDATIONS AVAILABLE,
WAR Department FINDS
Secretary Informs Representative
Adamson Structure Can Be
Erected for 81, 500, 600.

Secretary Garrison has written let
ter to Representative w. c. Adamson'
chairman of the House committee on
interstate and foreign commerce, In
which he explains the attitude of the
War Department with respect 10 the
so-called Carlin bill appropriatins
s1,50O.oOO for the construction OF a
new bridge in place of the present
Aoueduct bridge across the Potomac
between Georgetown and Rosslyn.
The conservative language in the
Secretary's letter regarding the advis.
ability of placing the new oridee
or near the present location is con
sidered significant in view OF pr0po-
sition recently submitted to the war
Department that the proposed new
bridge be located at the foot OF eltner
east of Rosslyn, and that the present
Aqueduct bridge be repaired suff1cient-
ly to meet the special needs OF the
people of Georgetown.
In support of that proposition IL IS
argued that bridge from G or n
st: eet would save at least half mile
I'm the trip between Washington ana
Rosslyn and would enable heavy trahc
to avoid the high grades OF george
town and at the same time conserve
the interests of Georgetown.
Secretary Garrison's Letter.
In his letter to Representative Adam
son Secretary Garrison says:
I'm further reply to your letter of the
12th instant. inclosing, with request for
the views of the department thereon, ii.
r. I59, Sixty-fourth Congress. 1St Ses-
sion, to provide for the removal of what
Is known as the Aqueduct bridge. across
the Potomac river. and for the building
# 1rfA in nlan
the honor to state as follows:
MY views concerning the critical con-
dition of the existing structure and the
necessity of a new bridge are presented
Speaker of the House of Representatives
on the subject.
"The bill as drafted evidently pro-
ceeds upon the theory or assumption
that the construction and maintenance
of this bridge at or near the point in
question has so crystallized the busf-
ness and necessities of the adjoining
communities as to make it desirable
and proper that the bridge built to re-
place the same should be practically
In the same location-that is, at or
near the existing bridge. Acting in
pursuance of this assumption the en-
gineer department of the War De-
partment has not made an Independent
study to determine whether, if this
were a case of novel impression. it
would recommend the erection of a
new bridge at or near the present To-
cation. 1t has confined itself mainly to
a study of whether or not a bridge at
or near the present location could be
built upon safe foundations and within
the sum of money named in the bill.
1t has reached the conclusion that such
a bridge at or near the present bridge
could be built upon proper foundations
and within the sum named.
Amendments Are Advocated.
1T is thought that the bill will better
accomplish it's purpose if amended as
indicated in red ink on the copy here
with. to provide for the removal of the
existing bridge, acquiring rights and
easements as we'll as necessary prop
erty. both for the bridge proper and its
approaches. the making of a contract
for the completion of the work and
the use of the structure for gas and
water mains. power. telegraph and tele-
phone wires.
with respect to the payment Of the
cost of the bridge. 1 would report that
Rave consulted with the District Commits
sioners. and have obtained from them in
formation that the old bridge has served
the District of Columbia in very dis
tinct way. and that they feel it equitable
that the cost should be apportioned be-
tween the federal government and the Dis
trfct Of Columbia. as other like joint ex-
penditures are apportioned- l therefore
beg leave to suggest to the committee
the equity and desirability of this treat
ment of that subject.
with respect to a contribution from
the state Of Virginia, it may very well
he that that state derives such direct, dis
tinct benefit that it might be included
hut this matter, not having been pressed
upon the department, and the department
being without any proper knowledge of
facts to reach a definite conclusion, it is
merely adverted to in passing, without
being made a subject Of any distinct
recommendation"