Evening star., 1932-04-09
Grant Says Program Will
Await Definite Decision =
of Congress.
$340, 900 is RESTORED
OF $4,000 ALLOTMENT
$3.50, 900 Of Next Years Appropria,
alton on Project Already Is
Obligated.

The action of the House yesterday
in restoring to the independent Offices
appropriation bill S340, 900 Of the origi-
nal $840,0 900 of the item for next years
work on the Arlington Memorial Bridge
project, leaves the officials with an in
definite program of work that will re-
solve itself only when the measure is
finally enacted into law. Lieut.. Col. u.
S. Grant, Sd, executive officer of the
Arlington Memorial Bridge Commits
sion, explained today that $150,000 of
next years appropriation has already
been obligated. Col. Grant conceded
that it may be necessary to release
some Of his employees. should the re-
trenchment program prevail, but he was
unable today to say Just how many
might be effected by the curtailment.
There will be a definite cut in per-
sonnel, he said, due to reduced funds,
adding that the cuts will begin to hap
pen as soon as next years program is
definitely determined. Col. Grant made
It clear, however, that he does not de-
sire to alarm his employees and will
make every effort to deal equitably
with the situation and give proper no
tice of any move.
The $150,000 in work already con-
tracted for includes some landscap1ng,
the equestrian groups to be erected at
the Washington end of the bridge, some
roadwork in the vicinity of the Ericsson
Memorial and connecting highways.
Lights to Be Postponed.
Lights for the Arlington Memorial
Bridge will likely be postponed in
definitely until funds for their erection
are forthcoming from Congress, the
colonel said. At present, lights SIM
liar to those used on District streets are
in place, as a temporary measure, so
that they can be turned on when the
Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Is
lighted shortly. In keeping with the
pretentious character of the bridge, the
Fine Arts Commission is arranging for
special lights, in conjunction with the
Arlington Memorial Bridge CommiS-
sion and the architects. McKim, Mead
& White, of New York.
Col. Grant asserted that in his opin-
ion the memorial entrance at the East
gate of Arlington National Cemetery,
forming the Westerly terminus of the
bridge project, should be constructed.
Uncle Sam has already purchased
$550,00 worth of granite, which is now
available. If this is permitted to lie
idle, it is apt to become dirty and
has been making plans for the hemi-
cycle, as the memorial entrance is
called, and was about to call for bids
for setting the granite in place.
Concerning the personnel cut antici-
pated as a result of reduced appropria-
ton, Col. Grant said that this will
have to be studied thoroughly before
any definite figure can be announced,
as the employees are placed on various
types Of work, according to their
ability.
Opening Set for Today.
The official opening of the new gravel
highway, leading from Boundary Chan
mel to the east gate of the cemetery,
was to be held this afternoon.
Lieut.. Col. u. S. Grant, Sd, executive
officer of the Arlington Memorial Bridge
Commission, invited members of the
Board Of Arlington County, Va, and of
the Bicentennial and Bridge Commits
sions to attend.
The highway was constructed by the
Northern Virginia Construction Co. of
Clarendon, Va. For the first time
Washingtonians will be able to use the
short bridge across Boundary Channel,
from Columbia Island to the Virginia
shore. The road forms a new approach
to the Georgetown Alexandria Pike,
which passes along the east wall of Ar
hngton National Cemetery.