Evening star., 1933-11-12
GEORGETOWN ASKS
SPANS DEMOLITION
Progressive Citizens Asso.
citation Behind Drive
on Old Land Mark.

Georgetown has one relic that Is no
longer revered and is causing the citi-
zenry no end of CONSERVATION as an
eyesore-Aqueduct Bridge.
Since the bridge was opened on
April ii, 1888, various repairs, includ-
ing the construction Of new piers, were
necessary, and finally traffic became
too heavy for the old structure. On
May 18, 1916, Congress passed a bill
authorizing removal of the bridge and
the building Of new span.
The Key Bridge required more funds
than the original appropriation and no
money was left for demolition Of the
Aqueduct.
For nearly decade the ancient
and its removal has been sought re-
peatedly since its condemnation.
Works Funds Now Sought.
Congress has been asked time and
again to facilitate the destruction of
the old bridge, but no action has been
Forthcoming. District authorities have
been apprised of the undesirabtlity OF
the structure, but for naught. And
now the Public Works Administration
has been requested to allot funds to
raze the bridge.
While virtually all Georgetown ia
vors removal Of the bridge, the par
ticular champion Of this cause Is Q
Citizens Association Of Georgetown
has fought along this line for nearly
six years.
The late Mrs. Fred T. Dubois, wife
Of the Senator from Idaho, was the
first to formally take exception to the
rickety old span, and for several
years she solicited organized support,
but it was not until the formation Of
the Progressive Association that she
found 1t.
Appropriation Asked
At first it was suggested that all the
bridge except the first span be remov-
ed. This portion, on the District side,
it was urged, should be retained to be
used as a recreational center. Con-
gress was asked to consider an appro-
priation of $500, 900 to provide for the
removal of the bridge, but nothing
came Of 1t.
A committee from the progressive
group, composed of Miss Eta L. Tag
CART, Mrs. Leon Arnold, Mrs. Dubois
and Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan was given
a hearing before the House Committee.
They expounded on the reasons for
the bridges destruction and pleaded
for its removal, but still no action was
taken by the Nations legislators.
Since its inception In October, 1877,
the Progressive Citizens Association Of
Georgetown has kept the issue alive.
Not year and hardly q meeting went
by that the demolition Of the bridge
was not discussed and resolutions
adopted urging removal of the span.
Made Trip to View Span.
Some Of the associations members
have died and some have become in
active, but the others kept the ball
rolling. A year or 50 ago the organi.
zation attacked the problem with re-
newed fervor and committee called
on Lieut.. Col. q. 8. Grant, Sd, former
director of Public Buildings and Pub
lie Parks. He accompanied the
women to the old bridge and viewed
its state of decay. Army engineers in
the War Department, under whose
supervision the structure falls. became
interested. But funds for removal Of
the bridge were and still are lacking.
The Progressives think the time Is
now ripe to press for removal Of the
Aqueduct Bridge that has long out
lived its usefulness and stands only
TO mar the beauty Of the modern Key
Bridge.