The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-08-05
By Mail crave Bonham
Former Historian d. c. Division,
United Daughters 81 the
COnfederacy

LVA4ACUGEAEy a4as
NgaE plan for the Virginia ap-
proach to the Arlington
Memorial Bridge has for its deter
mining factors three main con.
siderations:
1. Il b the entry into Washing
ton OF q Southern transcontinental
highway; the shortest, the most
historic and most scenic from
San Diego, Calf. TO the National
Capital This highway, now al
most completed. Is memorial to
Gen. Robert y. Lee, and is planned
as the counterpart OF Lincoln
Highway: these two constituting
the outstanding highways OF the
national system, even as Lee and
Lincoln were the outstanding per-
sonalities Of an important era in
our national life. Keeping In mind
Lees beautiful character as a
Christian and gentleman. and the
fact that he is recognized as one OF
the worlds finest, the plan calls
Tor boulevard 200 feet wide,
which will be beautified with
flowers shrubs and trees, so the
mind Of the traveller may be up
lifted even as the mind of the
citizen is uplifted in contemplating
the nobility of Robert E: Lee. The
services Of the recognized experts
In city. regional and traffic plan
ming have been called into requisi
ton and have not lost sight of
certain fundamental principles,
namely, segregation Of traffic, and
that through travel should not be
routed along the main street Of
any small town.
2. The boulevard viii have to
carry not merely the tremendous
increase OF motor travel between
Washington and the satellite city
(which practically covers Arlington
and Fairfax eounties) and the
through. travel, interstate and
transcontinentaI, but also It must
serve as the connection between
Washington and the great Shenan-
dUah National Park. which at q
conservative estimate win attract
40.00O,O00 visitors each year.
3. The Virginia approach to the
Arlington Bridge Is the western
extension Of the Mall. The plan
Of Washington is copied from the
plan OF Paris. Washington Is
built around q main east and
west axis which ID the center line
Of the Capitol, the Washington
Monument and the Lincoln
Memorial Templeall connected
by the Mall through which 4 400
foot boulevard Is to be con-
structed. This corresponds to the
worlds most magnificent boule-
ward extending eastward from the
Arch OF Triumph in Paris west
ward into the rural district.
Carrying out the idea Of trans
uniting to posterity the name, the
fame and the inspiration of
Lincoln and OF Lee, q fourth
monumental structure Is now
being erected and the worlds
most beautiful bridge viii, in
three years, span the Potomac
on q direct line from the center
OF the Lincoln Memorial Temple
to the center Of the Lee Mansion
on the wooded heights Of Ar.
lington. The southern end Of the
bridge will rest on Columbia
Island which will BE converted
into beautiful park ana the
boulevard viii be carried along
the island to- the point where
the due west line intersects the
northern end by q pavement sixty
feet in width. From here it win
sweep around 4 circle at the point
where the due west line crosses
the north end Of Columbia Island
and win be extended by the said
pavement due west across the
narrow mart nf the PnfnYnar