Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05
Continued from Tuenty-ffth Page

plan features as the main east-and-west axis
Of the city. Leading westward from the Capt.
tol to the Potomac River, this grand shaded
walk" about $500 feet wide, has recently
been the scene Of many Improvements. The
central section of the Department Of Agricul-
ture has now been completed, connecting the
two wings which have stood for many years in
stark isolation; in place Of the old red brick ad
ministration buildings is being constructed an
immense building for the related bureaus Of this
department. The Freer Art Gallery is located
on the new axis fixed by the Mcmillan COM
mission, and the Mall is being graded and
planted according to detailed plans prepared
by Frederick Law Olmsted along the lines Of
the recommendations of the Mcmillan COM
mission since reviewed by the Commission of
Fine Arts and the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission.
Leading north from Pennsylvania avenue at
John Marshall place, the land has been pur-
chased for group of buildings to form
civic center, and upon a cross axis leading from
the Mall to the fine old Court House already
spoken of.
The widening and extension of North
street, now renamed Constitution avenue, Is an
essential provision for the great increase Of
traffic caused by the new Federal buildings in
this section. In its improved condition, Con-
stitution avenue forms direct artery leading
from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and
the Arlington Memorial Bridge and, SUCH
possesses great value for all sorts of ceremonial
important in the life of Nations
Capital
Undoubtedly the outstanding completed
project of the building program to command
the admiration of this years visitor Is the
Arlington Memorial Bridge which joins the
Lincoln Memorial with the former home of
Robert E. Lee at Arlington: it is a Symbol of
the union Of the North and South as well as
the pathway between Lincoln and the soldier
dead" The bridge also furnishes the main
access to the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
and already carries an average daily traffic of
some 600 motor vehicles. Beyond the bridge
memorial parkway, 24O feet wide, will provide
approach to the Arlington National Gene
terry where inspiring memorial entrance
the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front OF
the classical amphitheater and to the pillared
mansion of Robert E. Lee.
The Arlington Bridge consists of nine spans,
q double-leaf bascule span in the center,
fanked on each side by four concrete arches
faced with granite of graceful profile. The
architectural features have been kept severely
simple depending upon the perfection Of the
general proportions for their main beauty. Be-
cause of the necessarily great size of the
bridge. the most serious problem in connection
with its design was the prevention of any Of
its elements from appearing to overshadow the
Lincoln Memorial That is why this bridge,
which otherwise might have been quite COM
monplace, required the most perfect and, at
the same time the most restrained architectural
treatment.
It is observed that the structure in no way
completes with the Lincoln Memorial, but seems
rather to lead up to it as a climax. There is
an immense stairway with granite steps FORM
ing water-gate leading from the upper drive
way level to a lower-lever driveway and boat
landing. A great plaza has been laid out
an approach to the bridge the water-gate and
the seaWau