Evening star., 1921-10-05
Takes Step to Unite Lincoln
Memorial and Arlington by
Beautiful Span.
CONGRESS TO BE ASKED
TO PROVIDE $25, 600
Structure Expected to Cost From
100000 to $1o,00o,o0o.
War Halted Project.

President Harding has directed the
transmission to Congress of an esti-
mate of $25.0O0 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 pfojects,
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
buildings and grounds, who is the ex-
ecutive officer of the memorial COM
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 will be approved. The members
OF the commission, In addition to the
Speaker of the House of Representa-.
tives and the chairmen of the public
buildings and grounds committees OF
the Senate and House.
1t has been the policy of the gov
ernment to keep at least one big me-
mortal project under way constantly
and. as the Lincoln Memorial practi-
caily is completed, it is understood
to be be the Presidents opinion work
on the Arlington bridge should be
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-
gineers during the past few years
with the estimated cost ranging from
SO OO0, 900 to $10.000.000.
The commission, 1t is said, either
Will designate well known engi-
neer to submit a design or the pl1n-
sso1: AeeeFdIns M To- eci ec sses4sRi III, stss
bridge will be of a quiet, subdued
type to harmonize with the classic
lErecian architecture OF the Lincoln
Memorial.
It is the present intention to have
the structure approach the Lincoln
Memorial on a level with it's base
Under this plan. it is stated, a new
Nw-level roadway will be built to
pass under the bridge. This road
probably will follow the line of the
new fill over the breakwater. The
plan will necessitate abandoning that
part Of the park boulevard which now
passes between the Lincoln Memorial
and the river.
Congress Pledged to Help.
Congress is pledged to provide the
money that will be necessary for the
preparation Of plans. as the act OF
1913. creating the commission. au-
thorized an expenditure Of $4,000 fol-
this purpose. The actual appropria-
ton of this money, however, never
has been requested.
The commission headed by the
President and the Vice President IL
the most distinguished one. it is said
that has ever been authorized by
Congress to direct the building of 8
national memorial.
The bridge is intended to surpass all
memorials. according to Col. Sheriff.
since 1t will memoralize the oblitera
tion of all sectional differences and
serve as an everlasting reminder OF
the unity and solidarity of the ma
ton.