Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-07-28
E Street Bridge and Roosevelt Island

There are two main questions that must
be answered before another bridge is built
across the Potomac. Only Congress can supply
the answers to these questions, for only Con-
gress can authorize another bridge and it's
location.
The first question: What is the best loca-
ton for bridge to SerUe the central business
area of Washington?
A year ago Congress directed the Commits
Soners to answer The Commissioners have re-
piled, saying that the street location is their
choice. This, however is only the opinion of
the Commissioners based on studies by their
advisers and conSultantS. Congress must ask
the Commissioners, as we'll as those who
oppose the street location, to support their
points of view with facts and then Congress
must reach a decision in the public interest
based on those facts.
The second question: Would bridge from
E street, passing oUer part OF the Theodore
Roosevelt Memorial Island, be inconsistent Nth
conditions under Which the island 10aS accepted,
as a gitt by the United States?
In legislation accepting the island as gift
and as memorial to Theodore Roosevelt, there
is this specific provision: &c. g. no general plan
for the development of the island be adopted
without the approval of the Roosevelt Memo
rial Association; and that, as long as this asso-
inconsistent with this plan, be executed without
this associations consent"
This is question which also demands a
factual answer. The facts would consist in the
actual effect on the islands development-as
"a wild sanctuary in the Capital"-of two or
more bridge piers rising 40 or so feet above the
island, supporting bridge over the island.
If it were decided, after examining these
actual effects, that the construction of the
bridge would, as the Roosevelt Memorial Asso-
citation maintains, mean "a fragrant breach of
trust" on the part of the United States Gov
eminent, or "desecration of monument to
President Theodore Roosevelt" a collateral
question arises, concerning which there also
must be an answer.
That question: If the United States is fore
closed in perpetuity from building bridge that
crosses Roosevelt Memorial Island, should not
Congress belatedly look this gift horse in the
mouth and decide 1Uhether it can afford to re-
tain it, under the conditions imposed By its &C
ceptance?
The answer might prove to be in the mega
tive If So it might be wise to return the island
to the Roosevelt Memorial Association and sug-
gest that the association find some other means
of keeping alive, in Washington, the memory
of one of our great Presidents.
This island was bought and presented as
spent on its development beyond maintenance
charges cutting brush and pathways and con-
struction of a boat landing. The chief deve-
opment planned for the island, in fact, is to
permit nature to return it to "a wild place"
Since 1882, however, there have been other
developments never anticipated when the is
land was acquired as a memorial. Arlington
County has made a phenomenal growth,
speeded by construction of the Pentagon and
the highway network around it.
More people cross the Potomac River from
Virginia to the District of Columbia every day
than cross the Hudson River from New Jersey
to New York. Our Highway Bridge Counting
its two one-way spans one BRIDGE handles
more traffic than any bridge in the world. The
inbound capacity of the four Potomac River
bridges is now SO per cent consumed in the
morning rush hours; in the afternoon, with one
less traffic lane, it is exceeded. In each year
between now and 1861, it is estimated that $50
vehicles will be added to the morning and after
noon traffic over these bridges. Every year the
traffic congestion caused by inadequate bridge
facilities will become more severe.
There is no question that another river
crossing must be provided, and soon. 1t is i'm
portant that the House and Senate District
Committees, when Congress resumes its Ses-
Sions later in 1858 or early in 1854, hold joint
sessions, acquire all the facts, and make deci-
sions regarding the location of this bridge
There are pressing reasons for decision
based on fact and not on rhetorical denuncia-
ton of the Commissioners for violation of
law" breach of trust" "desecration of a
monument" etc. merely because they have
decided, on the basis of their Studies that in
the public interest street is the best location
for a necessary bridge.