Evening star., 1938-02-13
John Phillip Sousa Bridge
Not Yet Assured for 1899.

John Phillip Sousa Bridge
Not Yet Assured for 1899.
THE Bureau Of the Budget In
cluded in the District budget as
sent to Congress an item Of $780,
600 for the construction of a bridge
to replace the bridge in line of
Pennsylvania avenue over the Ana
costa River. The limit Of cost was
set at not to exceed $4,000, 900.
This appropriation would be made
out of the gas tax funds as high
way expenditure. The construction
Of the bridge has already been au-
thorized and plans drawn which
have had the approval OF the Fine
Arts Commission, and other Gov
ernment bodies. Thus far there
has been no ofIicial recognition Of
the proposal to name the bridge
after John Philip Sousa, the
March King" and composer Of the
stars and Stripes Forever" though
a number Of the civic organizations
have Endorsed the idea.
The Budget Bureau was i'm
pressed with the Importance OF the
replacement of the old narrow
bridge. but some Of the legislators
appear to think that as the bridge
continues TO hold together its re-
placement may as well be deferred.
The demand for replacement with
a new bridge is not confined to the
citizens Of the Southeast section Of
the District nor to a mere local
pride on their part. The project Is
supported by the Federation of Citi-
zens Associations. the Board of
Trade and many other bodies.
There Is real need for the new
bridge to relieve traf1ic condi-
tions produced by a narrow bridge
located on wide highway. The
bridge. IN its old and weakened
condition. as well as having been
built to carry much lighter loads
than are required today, cannot
do the job bridge Is needed to
do at that point. There is now
restriction Of the weight OF We
hicles and loads permitted to cross
the structure. These restrictions
prevent a satisfactory through bus
service between the city and the
rapidly growing residential sections
beyond the Anacostia River. Those
who have given close study to this
matter are insistent that the
bridge must be built and should
be built before some casualty oc-
ours. AS its building is inevitable
and Is badly needed, they insist
that it had better be built now
rather than deferred to some in
definite date.
This column has on numerous
occasions pointed out the reasons
why the bridge. when built. should
bear the name of an illustrious
native of the District of Columbia.
There should by all means be =
memorial in the District to our
own John Philip Sousa and no
more appropriate place nor ap-
propriate location for such me-
mortal could be found than this
bridge. Located in the neighbor-
hood where he was born, it Is so
situated that you may stand by his
grave in Congressional Cemetery
and view the bridge.
There is . worthy precedent Of
. patriotic nature for naming this
bridge after sousa. The fine
bridge in Georgetown over the
Potomac River to Virginia was
named after Francis Scott Key,
author Of The Star Spangled
Banner" It was 30 named in the
act which made the appropriation
for its construction. Key, q native
Of Maryland. practiced law in the
District and had his home and
law ofnces adjacent to the present
bridge which bears his name. To
name the bridge over the Ana
costa after the composer of THE
Stars and Stripes Forever" 1t is
claimed, would present . fine ex-
ample of patriotic harmony.
Reasonable Solution Of
Main Library Problem.
MANY studies have been made
during recent years Of the
problem Of meeting adequately the
demands Of the library system on
its outgrown. 35-year-old main
building in Mount Vernon Square.
Architectural ingenuity was un-
able to design any practical and
reasonable plan for enlarging the
present white marble structure,
erected with funds given by the
late Andrew Carnegie. Various
plans were prepared, but none
would have created Q library which
would have met the requirements
Of . modern, efhcient. main mu-
nicipal library. The present build
ing Is too valuable to demolish
for the erection Of . larger and
more suitable structure and con-
siderable objections have been
raised against that location.
The question Of . new site was
next Investigated and the only ones
suitable and properly located were
found to cost from 3750,000 to
$500. 900 and even higher. To &C.
quire 30 expensive . site would
make the cost Of the building pro-
hibitive.
Recently the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
has recommended that the Dis
trict-owned square 49l, bounded
by Pennsylvania avenue. John
Marshall place, c street and Sixth
street. be utilized Is q site for q
new main library building. This Is
. part of the site purchased for
the Municipal Center, before .
more modest plan was adopted.
Chairman Ross Collins Of the House
Appropriations District Subcom-
mittee Is q strong supporter Of the
library and was instrumental In
including an item In the 1889 Dis
xict bill for $4,000 for the
preparation Of plans and specinca.
uons for Q new main library build