Evening star., 1953-12-11
There Amt No Such AnimuI'

In recent editorial entitled There
Amt No Such Animal" The Star ap-
pears to take exception to my efforts to
bring the contending factions together
on the location Of central bridge
across the Potomac River. Perhaps, as
you suggest, "there amt no such ami
NAL" as q united front. but you must
admit that this is an attitude that is
completely defeatist and is thoroughly
inconsistent with another editorial in
The Star on October IL in which you
say: "It seems to The Star that Mr..
Broyhill is good man to force show
down on the argument over where the
bridge will be built and to end the re-
peated delays in its construction"
May say that. in line with your ex-
preston of confidence in me, have
tried to reconcile the differences be-
tween the National Capital Planning
Commission and the District of Colum-
bia Highway Department in the sincere
belief that it was at least worth try.
You know and know that District leg
islation is often difficult to obtain in
Congressional almost any excuse will
suffice to delay controversial proposal.
It was my hope that on the bridge
question Congress would not be pre-
sented with an excuse in the form Of
bitter disagreement on the part Of the
oficial planning agencies. And I still
hope that before we convene the sec
ond session reasonable men will re-
solve their differences in the interest
of the welfare Of the community. shall
certainly do what can to accomplish
this desirable purpose.
But any suggestion that shall adopt
a do nothing" attitude in the absence
of agreement is absurd. In the short
time I have been in the House of Rep
resentatives. have taken the lead in
advancing bridge proposals. have
pending bill for the construction of
bridge at Jones Point and have
already announced that I will sponsor
q central bridge at E street. My record
proves that when sponsor proposal
I fight for it. Even these two bridges.
if approved, will not be adequate to
meet the demands Of our rapidly grow
ing communities, but at least they will
be q good start toward the accomplish
ment of a good bridge program.
May I remind The Star that I am
well acquainted with the bridge. trans
portation and highway problems con-
fronting the Greater Metropolitan
Area? Prior to coming to Congress I
served in official capacity with various
civic and planning organizations vi
tally concerned with these problems.
am fully prepared to present facts and
figures to Congress to further the in
terests Of my proposals.
Because of the aforementioned rea-
sons the controversy over the location
Of central bridge has distressed me.
I would, and I am certain that you
would, like to see the National Capital
Planning Commission and the High
way Department come together in q
meeting Of minds.
In the absence of such agreement, no
alternative is left but to force deci-
sion in the Congress itself. am deter
mined to force that decision if neces-
sary. Furthermore. intend to place
the blame where it properly belongs.
Stubbornness which thwarts the, needs
of the community and reaches the
point of obstruction cannot be toler-
ated. To the District Highway Depart
ment and the National Capital Plan
ming Commission I shall continue to
press for a united front despite The
Stars belief that 'there amt no such
animal"
Perhaps a miracle will happen. And
if q miracle should happen, 1t will
greatly enhance our chances for the
kind of q bridge system the Greater
Washington Area requires. But as far
as am concerned there will be no more
pussy footing; no more Of this juvenile
pouting that IF I can't have my own
way won't play" Too much is'at stake.
Unless complete agreement is achieved
I shall go forward vigorously to have
Congress decide in favor Of the E Street
Bridge.
Joel T. BrOyhill.
I Member of Congress.
Editors note: The Star is grati-
fed that Mr.. Broyhill will not de-
pend on any united front" IN
working for solution of the bridge
controversy