Evening star., 1955-06-17
Stennis Presses District
For Decision on BRIDGE
Sees Spencer After Roosevelt Group
QuolifedIy Approves Use of Island

81 don't want to appear to be
threatening anyone" he said
last night. But here we are in a
situation where law authoriz-
ing a bridge at certain place
Constitution avenue) is on the
books. the money t$1.5 million
for 1866 is available and the
need for a bridge becomes more
urgent every day.
Thine is short. This matter
should not be put off any
longer"
Commission Chairman Har-
land A. Bartholomew had an
nounced that the planning body
was prepared to hold a special
meeting if prompt action" is
requested before Congress ad-
journs.
His Deadline Earlier
Senator Stennis said his SUBJ
committee wants decision with
in a few days.
I'VE are not thinking in terms
Iof getting something before
Congress adjourns, he said.
IT am not interested in where
the bridge is placed-there's q
law on the books stating where
but I just don't like to see. this
matter suspended any further,
the Mississippian said.
District Government officials
likewise had their basic perplexi-
ties, it was understood. They
have been asking themselves why
lit is that the present Congress
does not go ahead and appropri-
ate the money for the authorized
Constitution avenue bridge ano
stop waiting on this agency ano
that for new decisions.
These sources recall that, only
last year, prior to passage of the
authorization bill, Senator Case
Republican, of South Dakota
then chairman of the District
Committee, met with the District
Engineer Commissioner, the heac
of the National Park Service anc
NCPC Chairman Bartholomew
and all agreed to the Constitu.
tion avenue site.
Remon Opposes Delay
Flat opposition to any fur
ther delay in a bridge location
decision was registered by Johr
IA. Remon, vice chairman of the
NCPC.
We've studied this thing up
hill and downhill," Mr.. Remor
declared. Il don't want it tt
drift any longer"
NCPC Chairman Bartholo.
news reply to this was; Jus
as soon as we're in shape. wei
have a meeting"
Donald Gingery, a Marylane
member of the Regional Plan.
nlng Council, Which met il
NCPC Offices yesterday. voicee
irritation over further delay, al
we'll.
"It is beyond my comprehen'
sion how a private organization
like the Roosevelt association
can sit and dictate how ant
where a bridge can be built with
taxpayers money" Mr.. Ginger,
declared.
Another member pointed out
that the Roosevelt association
decided the island to the Fedora
Government on condition that
lit be consulted before any
changes in the islands status be
made.
Spencer Adds to Confusion
/ The Marylander countered
however, that the agreement
was not so sweeping as to give
the association dictatoria,
powers.
Adding to the confusion ol
official stands, Samuel Spencer
president of the Board of Dis.
Itrict Commissioners. hailed thu
Roosevelt association action a!
''the biggest step forward that
happened" A bridge over tn,
north end of the island, Mr.
Spencer said. would be "a yer,
good solution of the whole
thing"
i Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Lane
District Engineer COMMISSIONS
and a member of the NCPC
sounded a similar note.
THE decision clears the wa,
for a possible alternate solu'
ton" Gen, Lane declared.