Evening star., 1933-07-19
Senator Urges Commission
ers to Ask Congress for
More Than $1,25O,OOO
MASONRY ARCH DESIGN
DEMANDED BY LEADERS
Civic Groups Want Structure to
Conform With Nearby
Taft Span.

Chairman King of the Senate Dis
trlct Committee today urged the Dis
trlct Commissioners to ask Congress for
an increase in the authorized appro-
prlatlon for construction of a new Cal
vert Street Bridge over Rock Greek.
II new span of correct style suitable
10 the location, cannot be built with
IN the present limit of sl,25O,OOO.
Inc declaration was made during an
extended public hearing with the Com
mlssloners, when Senator King and
Spokesmen for civic groups voiced pref
erence !or masonry arch bridge in
sIeao OF a single large steel span, as
Planned by District Engineer officials.
Senator King said he was not seeking
to dictate what type of bridge Should
be erected, but said he believed the
new structure must be made to con-
form 10 the style of the nearby Taft
Bridge, which is of multiple arch ma
sonry Several civic leaders opposed the
single arch steel plan, which has been
favored by Engineer Commissioner Got
walls.
Climax Expected Soon.
1t was indicated the debate, which has
stlrred considerable interest in business
ana CIVIC bodies, would reach a climax
mission and the National CAPITAL Park
and Planning Commission on july %.
II an entirely new design is selected
starting OF construction Of the new
orloge may be delayed for a time. since
congressional authorization for the work
prescribed that the plans must have the
approval OF the Fine Arts Commission.
Senator King said it was desirable
that the bridge be started at a very early
GATE because Of the condition of the
old span and because of the need for
providing increased employment in the
District. VAN
To start construction of the bridge
congress authorized use of S575 OO0 oi1t
OF the Districts surplus gasoline Ias
revenues of s1,500000, subject to an.
proval by the director of the Bureau
OF the Budget. The Commissioners re-
Gently asked the right to use of thi.
ana other items in the gasoline surplus
nst, but as yet the budget director ha,
taken no action on the request.
In describing the long planning TO,
the new bridge, Commissioner Gotwals
said that In 1917 an architectural plan
Tor a multiple arch masonry bridge was
oraWn, but detailed plans and specif.
cations were not prepared.
Appeals Renewed Since.
In recent years Commissioners have
renewed appeals for an appropriation
Tor new bridge, and the present Com
mlSsloners, on obtaining authorization
Tor plans, engaged Modjeski. Masters
d. Chase. This firm, in collaboration
With Paul Cret. studied 10 different
types OF bridges, which the Commits
sioners submitted to the Fine Arts Com
mission. Maj. Gotwals said the com
mission favored single-arch span and
voiced a preference for masonry. There
upon the Engineer Commissioner went
on record for a single-arch bridge,
which could have a masonry facing If
cost permitted
Estimates submitted by the engineer
ing firm set the cost of single span steel
arch at s1,221 900 and the cost of a
single span concrete arch with stone
facing at 81 100000.
When Maj. Gotwals pointed out the
latter was above the authorized cost OF
81 100000 and that pure masonry null
tple arch bridge, such as planned in
1917, would cost about S38OO0O more
than steel span. Senator King said
Tor more money if necessary He said
he would favor an additional cost Of
100000 or even $500 900, if required, to
build bridge of proper style.
The original plan was rendered by
Maj. George Oakley Totten, prominent
Washington architect It showed
bridge of multiple arch style in keeping
with the Taft Bridge.
Urge Further Study.
Dorsey w. Hyde, jr; Edwin S. Heae.
George Sullivan, George v. Ghaham.
George Shinn. Clayton Emig and
Thomas S. Settle, speaking for the
Washington Chamber of Commerce.
Board Of Trade and Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations, urged the need Of
restudy of the matter. Several voiced
definite preference for a masonry
bridge. The question was raised by
some Spokesmen as to whether the
Commissioners had obeyed the order of
Congress that they make a restudy OF
the matter before proceeding with the
plans. The Commissioners did not en-
gage engineers actually to draw new
designs, but did review the subject at
length. Senator King indicated he had
no quarrel on that score
Maj. Totten said he had received an
estimate from a locol contracting firm
for the construction of a multiple-arch
masonry bridge. which was we'll within
the amount authorized Mai Totten
quoted the contractor as saying he
could complete the bridge by August /,
1884, if work is begun by this August.
Little Washington labor or materials
will be used if steel span is built,
Maj. Totten said. but if a masonry
bridge is decided upon, at least Is per
cent of the material would be local and
all of the labor could be drawn from