Evening star., 1925-02-21
After Many Years.

Acceptance by the Senate or the
House amendments to the Memorial
Bridge bill puts that measure in the
way of immediate final enactment and
executive approval. Thus after many
years, this great project is on the
point of execution. 1t has been pro-
posed to every Congress for at least
four decades, and has been repeatedly
recommended. Now it is to be under
taken, and completion within five
years is expected. There is reason in
this for the profoundest gratitude.
The District is involved in the mat
ter of the cost of the work by the
adoption by the House of an amend
ment which the Senate has accepted,
which provides that such portion OF
the expense as Congress may consider
as equitable shall be met out of the
local revenues. The precise meaning
and scope Of this provision will remain
to be determined 1t is for the present
to be assumed. however, that it is de-
signed to lay upon the District its
usual share of the cost Of such street
changes and openings as may be in
cidental to the development of the ap-
proaches to the bridge. For the taking
Of money from District revenues for
the construction itself there can be
no equitable justification.
The bridge, as now planned, will
span the Potomac between the shore
near the Lincoln Memorial to the op-
posite shore in front Of Arlington
Cemetery. 1t will be monumental
structure Of a design harmonious to
the surroundings, relatively low, with
lifting span to give passage to craft
plying between the lower river and
Georgetown. It will be broad to give a
maximum of traffic space. It will bear
no car tracks. 1t will be strictly an
avenue of access to the great national
shrine on the Virginia hills.
In the readjustment Of streets in
cidental to the bridge development to
make it the most fully accessible, and
to permit the freest use on occasions
Of great assemblages, some material
changes are contemplated in the bill
which is now in the final stage of
enactment. Certain streets near the
District terminus Of the bridge will be
widened. Near the Capitol land is to
be taken for the widening and opening
OF broad avenue of approach, partly
within the "Mall-Avenue' triangle,
partly north Of it. This project is a
new feature Of the general plan. It's
precise effect upon the general plan of
the city has not been fully studied,
but it would seem to be in line with
the object Of linking the Capitol build.
ing group with the memorials on the
river bank. 1t is in these works that,
presumably, the District will share the
cost. That is for Congress to deter
mine, in Interpretation of the "equita.
bic" feature Of the bill now passing
into law.
Some OF those who were active in
the proposal to span the Potomac with
a bridge that would typify the reunion
OF the sections have passed away.
Some remain, to rejoice in this con.
summation of their hopes. They will
now institute a search for the great
block of stone that was presented in
1903 as the corner stone" Of the
bridge by the Journeymen Stone Cut
ters of America, and which stood for
many years at the corner of Pennsyl.
vania avenue and Madison place,
where now rises the Treasury Annex
Building. 1t was u melancholy re.
1ninder during several decades Of the
Illustration Of an inspired plan. 1t
served its purpose, however, in keep.
ing visibly in evidence throughout
that long waiting period a physical
reminder Of duty which the Nation
owed, and which is now to be dis
charged.