New-York tribune., 1920-06-27
Mighty Bridge
Is Planned as
War Memorial
Drawing of Gigantic Hudson
Structure Which Would
Revolutionize Traffic Is
i'll Commissions Hands
Would Cross Manhattan
Two Immense Piers to Serve
as Tribute to DeadProvide
Ample Room for Ships

engineers who believe it not only would
solve the myriad problems of trans
portation but also would be the most
desirable war memorial possible. 1t
would span the Hudson River, thus
serving as a link between New York
and New Jersey and as tribute to the
hero dead of the two states.
Governor Edwards of New Jersey has
been so impressed with the idea that
he has referred it personally to Gov
ernor Smith of New York. Governor
Smith has in turn placed the matter in
the hands of the New York and Jersey
Port and Harbor Development Commits
sion, of which William R. Wilcox is
chairman.
Would Cross Manhattan
Not only would the great bridge span
the Hudson, but it is planned also that
1t should cross Manhattan and connect
with the Brooklyn, Manhattan and
evated thoroughfares. Approaches
from the neghborhood of Cham
bers and Varick streets and from
Washington Square would give access
to the bridge from Manhattan. The
bridge would connect Spring Street,
Manhattan, with Eleventh Street, Jer-
sey City.
This proposed location would permit
the erection of two massive pylons, or
piers, that would support the bridge at
distance of a quarter of mile from
shore. Thus the distance between the
pylons, or between pylons and shores,
would be as great as the entire width
of the East River.
Ample Room for Large Ships
As the largest ocean liners can be
docked easily in the East River, SO
the pylons of the memorial bridge
would be SO far from the docks on
either shore as to allow ample fairway
for the maneuvering of the largest
ships plying between New York and
the ports of the world. 1t is in view
of this fact, it is said, that the Navy
Department at Washington would be
justified in sanctioning the bridging
of the Hudson and in withdrawing
objections hitherto held by naval ex-
perts that if the feat were accom-
plished, insufficient fairway would be
left for the feet. This consideration
has stood in the way of bridging the
Hudson for more than generation.
The pylons are designed to furnish
the memorial features of the structure
The one toward the New Jersey shore
would commemorate the valorous
deeds of the men from that state who
fell in the World War, while the pylon
on the New York side would provide a
magnificent tribute to her dead. 1t
is because of the memorial idea be-
hind the bridge that the architects
have resorted to Gothic design, for
this is concededly the best memorial
type of architecture and one which
competent critics have liked best.
Following out the memorial scheme,
the plans include headquarters for
the American Legion, permanent re-
positories for valuable war records,
large spaces for use as recreation
piers. and at the top spacious pro-
visions for observatory purposes.
High speed elevators would give easy
sccess to all floors in each pylon.
Revolution in Transportation
Not intended as a competitor of pos
sible vehicular tubes under the river,
but simply as an additional means of
transportation, the bridge would revo-
sutionize the transportation routes
shd eliminate many of the transporta-
tion difficulties of the entire metro
politan area. On the upper of the two
levels would be accomm odatipns for
vehicular traffic, surface, elevated and
subway cars and broad promenades for
pedestrians. The lower level would
serve as huge freight artery for all
the multifarious products made in or
shipped through the greater city.
The speeding up of both business
and pleasure motor traffic by the con-
| struction of such bridge would be
further advantage attendant on it's
erection. The structure would become
= h. V>ln
tween New Jersey and Long Island, as
we'll as between New Jersey and Man
s haitian.
What this project signifies to the in
dustries of the metropolitan area in
the facilitation of trucking between
New York, Brooklyn and New Jersey
is obvious. The approaches on the
Manhattan side from Washington
Square and from the vicinity of
1 serve, respectively, the downtown Sec
tion and the new wholesale district on
both sides of lower Fifth Avenue.
Would Be Supporting
While the bridge is designed as
is that it shall be self-supporting.
Revenues would be obtained from the
use Of tracks by the railroads and
4 other transportation lines. while the
rental for the storage warehouses and
4 showrooms TO be constructed in the
easements of the several approaches
d TO the bridge would net good return.
4 At either end Of the structure build
I ings somewhat similar to the Bush
Terminal showrooms would provide
4 further income.
I The financing Of the enterprise, as
tentatively suggested by the architects
and engineers who have drawn the
plans, is to be by bank syndicate.
1t Is confidently believed that. once
launched, the project. would be SO
sound and remuneratiye an investment
4 ~ to attract private capital. Moreover,
4 provision in the charter or franchise
as finally granted is expected to per
nit the two states to purchase the
q bridge after the lapse of certain
period at a price to be determined at
the present time.
The practicability Of the project is
attested by the scientific standing of
1 the men who vouch for it. The plans
have been drawn by Alfred c. Bosom,
architect, at $50 Fifth Avenue. Speci-
4 fcations for the foundations of pylons,
casements and the like have been
worked out by Kennard Thompson.
4 I~xs Ax<t