The Washington times., 1925-03-04

arches of ever.enduring granite,
symbolical OF the firmly established
union Of the North and South.
That President was General jack
SON.
Other Efforts Failed.
Since that time frequent efforts
have been made to carry through the
project and many preliminary
studies have been made, the most
notable of these being those OF 1901.
The first plans contemplated a high
level bridge from the Naval Observa-
tory heights in Georgetown to the
heights across the Potomac.
The plan for low-level bridge at
the site of the new Lincoln Memorial
was first proposed by the Senate
park commission twenty-four years
ago.
No further action was taken, how
ever. until twelve years ago, when
Congress created the Arlington
Memorial Bridge Commission, COM
posed Of the President, the President
Of the Senate, the Speaker of the
House and the chairmen of the
Senate and House District Com.
mites.
This committee was given $4,000
on June 12, 1922, to pay for framing
of detailed plans.
The commission decided on con-
struction of low-fevel bridge on the
line joining the lincoln Memorial
and the Lee Mansion. The bridge is
to consist of nine spans, having q
total length of 2,15S feet and a width
of ninety feet.
HarmOnizes With Memorial.
The structure will be faced with
snow white granite. so as to har-
monize with the Colorado Yule mar
BILE of the Lincoln Memorial. In its
report to Congress the commission
visualizAs the project as one OF the
greatest in history.
Following Immediately after the
Lincoln Memorial in time of con-
struction, it fortunately supplements
and completes that great memorial
in finishing the landscape in Its VI
cinity and carries the Mall treat
| ment of washington and. L 'Enfant
across the Potomac to Arlington.
"In addition to this relationship
there III compelling patriotic
| motive in the project OF direcI
broad boulevard from the Cspitol
through B street extended ano
widened, by way OF the Lincoln
Memorial ard on across the broad
and dignified bridge as route
for the nations fallen heroes to
their last resting place on the
Arlington National Cemetery.
"There third great motivs
in the c, .plete plan and that ID
the provis on Of a magnificent en-
trance to Washington from Viz
Cinia. for the Lee Highway, COM
ing across TIE entire country from
Los Angeles.
'"rhe fourth and perhaps great
est Of all, the symbol Of the bind.
ing together of the North and
south in one irdivisible union,
knowing no sectional lines.
"As the traveller approaches
Washington over the brow OF Ar.
lington Heights there will burst
on his view q panorama that has
few EQUALS in the world; once
seen it will never be forgotten,
and will live in the memory of
the beholder forever as a perpetual
insp.ration TO loyalty, patriotism
and devotion to country"
The Fridge will spring from the
southern ends of the Lincoln Ne
mortal plaza.
boulevard will start from the north
end, connecting with the Rock
Creek parkway.
Between the bridge anil the
shore read a monumental flight of
To sfN
whole composition forming a water
gate of wonderful beauty.
The steps will be gurded by six
huge granite lions. At the entrance
10 the bridge and the shore road
will be located the entrance
pylons, forty feet high.
improvements To Street
E street northwest will be opened
from the Capitol grounds clear
through to the Potomac river north
of the Lincoln Memorial where 1t
will connect with the shore road.
Twenty-third street will be widened
and where B and Twenty-third
cross, directly north Of the Memo
rial, a rond point will be located.
Twenty-third street will be pro-
iected to the south Of the Lincoln
shore road will be located another
rond point in which is to be erect
ed the Ericsson Memorial for which
funds have been raised and which
now awaits only the definite loca-
ton Of the site.
3 street will be widened to a full
120 feet and will rival Pennsyl-
vania avenue in dignity and beauty.
1t will be cut through the block
where the ST. James Hotel now
stands and will cross Pennsylvania
avenue diagonally at John Marshall
place, cutting through the block
on the north side OF the Avenue
east Of John Marshall place, joining
the present B street at Second
street northwest.
Eventually the land on both sides
Of the B street boulevard is to be
condemned and monumental Gov.
ernment buildings will rise there.
Decorations For Piers
The bridge has been kept as low
as possible in the plans so as not
to Interfere with the view Of the
Lincoln Memorial from Columbia
Island and the Virginia shore.
1t will be severely plain, lenend.
ing for it's beauty on the perfection
Of it's proportions.
Pairs Of heroic figures will rise
above the bridge at each end Of the