Evening star., 1921-10-05
PRESIDENT SEEKS
FUND FOR PLAN Of
MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Takes Step to Unite Lincoln
Memorial and Arlington by
Beautiful Span.
CONGRESS TO BE ASKED
TO PROVIDE $25, 900
Structure Expected to Cost From
$3,000,000 to $10,0O0,000.
War Halted Project.

President Hara'ng has directed the
transmission to Congress of an esti-
mate OF $4,000 for preparation of
plans for the Arlington memorial
bridge, to span the Potomac river be-
tween the Lincoln Memorial and Ar
lington~
AS chairman of the Arlington me-
mortal commission, created by Con-
gress in 1913. the President, it was
learned today, believes this greatest
of all national memorial projects,
which is to be the connecting link
between north and south and the
symbol of united nation, should be
launched during the coming fiscal
year.
He has instructed Col. Clarence o.
Sheriff.. officer in charge of public
bulidings and grounds, who is the eX-
ecutiVe ofhcer of the memorial conn
mission, to transmit the estimate for
preparation of plans at the time the
regular administrative budgets are
sent TO Congress in December.
Approval Expected.
There is every probability the esti-
mate VIII be approved. The members
OF the commission, in addition to the
President. are the Vice President, the
Speaker of the House of Representa-
tves and the chairmen of the public
buildings and grounds committees of
the Senate and House.
1t has been the policy of The gov
eminent to keep at least one big me-
morial project under way constantly
and. as the Lincoln Memorial practi-
cally is completed. ii is understood
to be be the Presidents opinion work
M Av.lt,
started as soon as plans can be pre-
pared. But for the war the bridge
doubtless would have been under
construction by now
+ Bridge Estimates Vary.
Estimates vary as to the cost OF
the undertaking. Plans have been
made voluntarily by a number Of en-.
gtneers during the past few years
with the estimated cost ranging from
$4,000, 900 TO 10000, 900.
The commission, It is said. either
Will designate a well known engi-
Esneer to submit a design or the plan:
ming will be thrown open to competi-
ton. According to Col. Sheriff.. ihe
bridge will be of "A quiet. subduet
type to harmonic with the classic
Grecian. architecture of the Lincoln
Memorial.
1t is the present intention to have
the structure approach the Lincolr
Memorial on a level with it's base
Under this plan. it is stated. q new
low level roadway will be built, n
pass under the bridge. This roat
probably will follow the line of thu
new fill over the breakwater. The
plan will necessitate abandoning tina
part of the park boulevard which now
passes between the Lincoln Memoria
and the river.
Congress Pledged to Help.
Congress Is pledged. to provide tn,
money that will be necessary for tn,
preparation of plans. as the act o.
1919. creating the commission, au
thorized an expenditure Of $4,000 fol
this purpose. The actual appropria
tion of this money. however, never
has been requested.
The commission headed by tn.
President and the Vice President j.
the most distinguished one. ii is said
that has ever been authorized b,
Congress to direct the building of
national memorial.
The bridge is intended to surpass al
memorials, according to Col. Sheriff.
since it will memoralize the oblitera
ton of all sectional differences ant
serve as an everlasting reminder Of
the unity and solidarity of the ma.
ton.