Evening star., 1938-09-05

son not to allude to the veteran rep
resentative in whose interest he came
to Maryland. Representative Lewis,
wearing = new felt hat of . bright
blue hue, actually beamed IS he stood
close to the executive.
Benefit For Whole Country.
Speaking Of the great need for the
bridge across the Potomac, the Presi-
dent said such project ought to bene-
fit not only the people Of Southern
Maryland but the people of the United
States As well. Touching upon the
national defense possibilities of such
bridge the President said, 1T Is
very important in thinking OF ma
tional defense to see to it that the
borders of the United States, the
portions of the United States that lie
fairly close to the sea coast, shall have
proper access in the event Of war, ac-
cess for the conduct OF defensive op-
erations. Therefore the whole Chesa-
peake area is q very vital link in our
national defense and the more that
we can do to improve communications
in this area in peace time, the more
insurance we are taking out in the
event Of some possible future inva-
sion"
Warming up to the subject OF this
bridge. which has recently been in
jected into the Tyding-Lewis primary
battle, the President said that Il
very often 60 up and down the river
on week-ends-week-end when I try
not only to rest but also to think
things over quietly. And today
am getting thrill out of this morn
ings ride. have been talking with
your representatives-the Governor Of
the State-and I think we are all
one in feeling that this poposed
bridge is one of the things that has
got to be done just as fast as We can
possibly do it." "
And so I hope" he concluded, ito
come back, perhaps before / leave
Washington to talk at the Inaugural
tion-the starting of this bridge across
the Potomac River in this neighbor-
hood" Someone in the crowd re-
marked that the President evidently
expects to be in Washington q long
long time
Visits Proposed Site.
Just prior to this brief speech the
President visited the proposed site
Of the Maryland end of the bridge.
which point is known as Laidlow's
Ferry, rich in the history of the
Colonies. 1t was patronized by prom
inent men OF earlier days, including
George Washington. To reach this
point the presidential caveran had
to leave the main highway and 60
humping over a few miles of dirt
road half mile of which was through
field. However, w. P. A. workers
had been industrious in advance at
least to the extent of cutting down
the growth Of weeds on the side OF
the road and in filling in some of
the worst of the ruts.
With Gov Nice of Maryland, at
whose invitation the President vis-
tied this site, sitting beside him in
his open automobile, the President
studied maps and blue prints which
were explained in detail by Nathan
L. Smith, chief engineer Of the Mary
land State Roads Commission. The
President manifested great interest
and asked many questions. Some
We're answered by the Governor him
self.
Postmaster General James A. Far
ley, who had been invited to 20 along
on the trip by the President, ap-
peared Indifferent to the bridge sub
Ject and remained more or less in the
background during the talk about the
project. Mr.. Farley, whom the Pres
ident said in response to questions
at his recent press conference was
accompanying him on this Maryland
trip in the dual capacity Of Postmaster
General and Chairman of the DEM
ocratic National Committee, has in
dicated no great enthusiasm over the
purge idea, although he Is understood
to see eye to eye with the President
regarding the battle against Senator
Tydings.
Grambrill In Party.
Representative Stephen w. Gam
brill. in whose district the President
spoke yesterday, was member Of the
Presidents personal party and had
the honor of introducing the Presi-
dent to the open-air audience. Repre-
sentative T. Alan Goldsborough. in
whose home town the President is
speaking today. and upon whom the
President is counting heavily to swing