Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-06-13
River Tunnel Urqed
At Constitution Site
Bridge Opposed
By Groups at
House Hearing,
BY HAROLD b. ROGERS

Dy k1AnOLD d, hOOEMS
Strong support for a tunnel
under the Potomac River in
stead of a bridge over it at the
Constitution avenue site was
voiced today by witnesses before
a House District subcommittee.
Chairman Davis, Democrat OF
Georgia. announced afterward
that all witnesses were not
reached this morning and it was
uncertain when another hearing
might be scheduled if the COM
mittee finds it necessary.
Among witnesses not reached
today were opponents of the
tunnel who favor the bridge.
Mr.. Davis said he had not
made up his mind whether he
favors one crossing over the
other.
May Invite Statements
If no further hearing is held
over the long-pending contro-
verSy, the chairman said state
mentS may be filed for the COM
mittee record.
Witnesses favoring the tunnel
included a New York tunnel ex-
lpert and spokesman for the So
ciety for Professional Engineers,
the Freedom Foundation of
Valley Forge and the Marine
Corps Memorial Foundation
which built the Two Jima statue
in nearby Virginia.
Chairman Harland Bartholo-
NEW of the National Capital
Planning Commission, testifying
only as a member of that body
and not for the group, said he
favored only a four-lane cross
ling at the site instead Of six
lanes because of the extra traffic
congestion the latter would in
volve.
Mr.. Bartholomew told the sub
committee the difference in cost
between the two types Of cross
ings had now narrowed down so
far as to warrant the tunnel
in preference to a bridge"
Traffic Pressure Stressed
He warned, however. that any
crossing would put terrific
amount of pressure on the city's
thoroughfares and probably
would require two new roads
Through the Mall, a widening Of
Constitution avenue and prob
ably making E street q major
lthoroughfare.
i David E. Finley, chairman of
the Fine Arts Commission, said
his group opposed any crossings
lat the Constitution avenue site
on the basis that it would seri-
ously damage the beautiful land
Scape in the general area Of
magnificent memorials.
He said he would favor a tun-
mel in place of a bridges, but that
if the bridge were found neces-
sary he preferred the location
crossing Theodore Roosevelt Is
land.
Expert testimony on tunnels
strongly favoring the underwater
crossing here came from Ole
Singstad of New York City, who
has had wide experience on tun-
mel construction and operation.
He replied to many criticisms of
the tunnel project made some
time ago by proponents of a
bridge and estimated the cost of
the four-lane tunnel here at
about $25.5 million including the
cost of approaches. Earlier esti-
mates on the cost of such a tun-
mel during the first phases Of the
tunnel-bridge controversy had
ranged from 500 million down to
$50 million, the subcommittee
was told.
Others Supporting Tunnel
Other witnesses supporting a
tunnel today were Oscar Beasley
for the Society Of Professional
Engineers; DR.. Kenneth Wells,
president of the Freedom Foun-
dalton, and Arthur B. Hanson,
executive vice president Of the
Marine Corps Memorial Founda-
ton.
Other witnesses who could not
be reached at the morning ses-
sion but who can either testify
at another hearing or file state
ments, include director Conrad
Wirth Of the National Park Serv-
ice and c. Melvin Sharpe Of the
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial AS
ISOLATION who said they we're
strongly in favor Of tunnel.
District Government officials,
who have continually favored a
bridge, we're present and insisted
they would certainly file state
ments If they cannot testify.
J. N. Robertson, District direc-
tor Of highways. said he would
explain to the subcommittee that
the city heads still favor bridge
and hope to build one. He MAIDS
public estimates Of cost ready
for the subcommittee showing
that a six-lane crossing we're
now estimated to be: SAT. 842, 900
for the tunnel, Sl8.6o9.000 for
a steel bridge and $15.550,000
for a pre distressed bridge.