The Washington times., 1916-01-18
MOVE TO REPLACE
AQUEDUCT BRIDGE
Georgetown Citizens Declare Old
Structure Is Both Inade-
quate and Unsafe.

Vigorous action looking to the re-
placement of the old Auueduct bridge
Is to be taken by the Georgetown Citi-
zens' Association. A special committee,
composed OF b. A. Bowles, Frank r.
Leetch and Henry T.. Matthews. has
been appointed to urge upon the Com
missionrs, the committees of Congress-
and the War Department the necessity
of modern structure hat will ac-
commodate the enormous amount OF
tratfic that moves over the bridge.
The matter was brought before the
association at its meeting in Potomac
Savings Bank Hall last night by Mr..
boWies. He discussed the recent engl-
neers reports on the bridge, and ef-
torts made in the past by the assocla-
tion and by Georgetown business men
20 secure new structure. The spe-
cial committee was instructed to urge a
new bridge to replace the old, on or as
near the present site as possible, and
certainly did not east of Thirty-foUrh
street portion OF the instruction ask
Ing that railway lines using the bridge
snare the cost was withdrawn after be-
ing opposed by +. Leetch.
Traffic On It Heavy,
Mr.. Bowles declared that should the
old structure go down or be condemn
ed IL would be a rhal calamity to
Georgetown and adjoining sections of
Virginia, and would bankrupt many
business interests of Georgetown,
Tho traffic on the bridge" he said.
is far heavier than that on the high
way bridge. There is from three TO
hve times as much street car, vehicu-
lar, and pedestrian traffic on this
bridge as on the highway bridge, yet
because of it's admittedly unsafe con
dttions, limitations have been put on
this traffic. The Rosslyn Supply
Company that used the bridge exten
sively was compelled to move to this
side because of restrictions on haul
ing, and just after they did so they
had a disastrous fire. suffering heavy
loRR.'
The association will make every ef-
fort to have the new bridge on or
near the present site as to move II
would disrupt the lines of established
travel that have existed for more
than half century.
A resolution was passed authorizing
the Committee on Parks and Reserva-
tions to appear before the proper Of
ficials and urge for the association
the appropriation requested by
Colonel Harts, Superintendent of Pub.
lie Buildings and Grounds, for ilnme-
diatc execution of the connecting
parkway plan along Rock Creek val
lev.
Resolutions were adopted opposing
tion of the District. or any change in
the status OF the library trustees Or
the Board of Charities as recommend
ed by the Commissioners.
More Fire Apparatus Wanted.
communication from the citizens
committee on the loan shark law, was
referred to the committee on legisla-
ton for report.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Bowles, the
committee on public improvements
was instructed to take up the ques-
ton Of motor apparatus for No. flre
engine company in Georgetown. Mr..
Bow1ess said this company had the
largest and the most hilly territory
In the District to cover yet il was
horse drawn. while other companies
having short runs have motor We
hicles. He had frequently seen II
necessary. he said, for the apparatus
10 stop on the Georgetown Hills while
on a fire run to rest the horses. This
company covers a territory extending
from Rock Creek to the District line.
On behalf of John B. Hammond, Mr..
Bowles presented to the association
a gavel. made from a cherry tree from
MI. Vernon. The association will have
it engraved
The association voted in favor of
legislation aimed at fake advertising
in tho District.
Resolutions of coincidence on the
death of b. T. Janney were passed
and ordered presented to the family.