Evening star., 1928-06-10
BY ANNIE LEO GRAHAM.

DREAM Of Andrew Jackson Is
" giving America one Of the
~ most beautiful bridges, accord
4 u ing TO architectural grace, In
ali the world II the spirit Of
Andrew Jackson could now visit the
Capital Of the Nation ii would view
with pride and satisfaction the con-
struction OF Arlington Memorial
Bridge and witness a century-old hope
coming true.
While President o. the United States
Gen. Jackson ardently proposed that
q bridge Of enduring granite should
be built across the Potomac River at
Washington, symbolical of the union
OF the North and the South. Some
years later a heated controversy was
raging between the representatives Of
the North and South. II was at this
time, july 4, 1851. that Daniel Webster
delivered famous address. the occa-
sion being the laying Of the corner
stone Of the extension Of the United
Esates Capitol Senator Webster pleaded
OF the Union, the dissolution OF which
even At that date seemed imminent.
Said Senator Webster.
Before uSs the broad and beautiful
river separating two Of the original
thirteen States which a late President,
q man Of determined purpose and in
flexible will, but Of patriotic heart.
desired 10 span with arches Of ever
enduring granite symbciical OF the firm
~ established union OF the North and
South That President was Gen,
jackson" /"
At the conclusion Of the Civil War,
which could not be ayerted by the
efforts Of the statesmen of that day.
and With the Union permanently as
sured, the idea OF Gen. Jackson was
sgsir1 proposed as monumental ex-
precision of the solidarity of tne Union,
Several times since the Civil War
Congress hes attempted 10 plan legis-
Jation which would bring about the
construction Of the bridge nothing
definite YES accomplished until the
act of March 1873 which created
q commission ~ report 10 Congress q
suitable design for memorial bridge
across the Potomac River from tile
City of Washington ~ a point at On
nearest the Arlington estate In the
the United Ststes. Inc presiding Of.
Gcegs of the tgo houses Of Congress
snd the cnsiFmen ~ the respective
committees On pubic buildings and
grounds we're named ~ the members
of this commission. Twenty-Five thou
ksno dollars was authorized for the
preparation of the piAn. In com.
plisnce with the provisions of the aci
plans were submitted ~ Congress bs
the Arlington Memorial Bridge Com
mission April 22, 1924, and on Febfu-
aFy ~, 1876, Congress voted 70 provide
for she construction ~ memorial
bridge across the Potomac River from
point near ti1e Lincoln Memorial ~
tile City " Washington 10 q point IN
tBs Arlington lands in the State of
Virginia. A. Total appropriation 0l
Si+ 10000 wss authorized for TIM
purpose and also. by me act Ot Febru'
ary ~ 1925. q SUFFICIENT appropriation
W begin work Was provided.
Representative Richard ~ Elliott Oi
Indiana Look most important enc
influential part IN promoting tte plan
lie had chsfge NJ tilss proposed legia'
leli0H IN tke House, End the successful
e0nduet 0f the bill Is largely Que ff
hie deep interest and continuous effort
THE Arlington Bridge Commission IL
fou1po6ed ~ President Calvin Cool-
g6ae rheiFmsn. vice President Charles
~ y1sw wEs sneakef kiGhoiEs LkguRNOfiH