Evening star., 1921-09-23
Rate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
M0rvIUrS anI V;,.o;,,;.
Parks and Bridges.

Washington will truly be a city Of
wonderful parks when the reclamation
projects now in process are completed.
Potomac Park, created from river
dredgings. is now famous throughout
the world for spaciousness and beauty.
1t is source Of great pleasure and
refreshment to many Thousands of
charms of the capital. Anarostis
Park, now n state of development
through the Improvement of the East
ern branch cnennel and the redemp-
hundreds of acres to the public reserea-
tion area, and in some respects VIII
rival Potomac Park for attractiveness.
Meanwhile, another park has been
evolved and is now nearly ready Tor
final development. 1t has come into
being almost unnoticed, and doubtless
it is surprise to many Washing
tonians to learn of its existence. This
is Columbia Island. comprising 172
acres lying between Analostan Island
and the Highway bridge, close to the
Virginia shore. This has been ia,de,
like the others, by dredging t~e etaH-
mel. In about two years it N,ll have
been brought to the proper hr.sht for
final treatment, and probap' four
years from now Columbia Islss. will
be definitely included in the :ablic
park system.
But Columbia Island. howeve well
developed and attractive, will not be
Of any particular value except as a
spectacle from a distance unless it is
made accessible. AS it lies now it is
beyond reach. but it must be assumed
that the plans of the War Department
contemplate the provision Of some
means of access from the main line.
This can be provided from the Vir-
ginia shore. 1t will be possible after
a tour of Potomac Park by motor to
cross the river by the Highway bridge
and by means Of a new road and a
short bridge to reach Columbia Island.
But better than such a route would be
the direct access permitted by the
projected Memorial BRIDGE which
would cross the newly made park.
The Memorial bridge plan has been
in allegiance for a good many years. 1t
is, however, still regarded as one Of
the assured developments Of the capi-
tai. Provision has been made for it
in the plan of park Improvement. The
Lincoln Memorial was placed, in large
part, with reference to such a struc-
ture located directly west. The growth
Of the park traffic in Washington
makes it most desirable to provide an.
other outlet to Virginia.
Since the Memorial bridge plan was
first discussed much has happened
which makes the national cemetery at
Arlington more than ever a great
shrine of the American people. In the
first place the Spanish-American war
has been fought, and at Arlington lie
now many Of the victims Of that con-
flict. The cemetery has been opened,
too, to the Confederate dead. In it now
rest the remains Of men who died in
France in the great war. An immense
amphitheater has been erected. one Of
the most beautiful structures in Amer
lea, as symbol Of the reverence Of
the people for those who have fallen
in their devotion for American prin-
ciples. It Is, therefore, more than ever
fitting that this physical link between
the north and the. south. this token
of union. the Memorial bridge, should
be created to stand forever not merely
as a monument. but as a practicable
means of the closest possible commune
cation between the capital and the
countrys great Valhalla.