Public Works Commissioners Turn Down Gerry's Landing Bridge Plan

Hopes of an early and easy completion of the financing of the proposed bridge at Gerry's Landing were blasted this week when the Emergency Public Works Commission of the State turned down the proposal of the Metropolitan Planning Board and allied committee for having the Emergency Commission finance the project with money from Federal sources distributed by the Commission.

Members of the Cambridge Planning board and others interested in the project had put the proposal before the Emergency Committee last in October with the hopes that it might meet with the speedy approval of the organization and work begin by next year in order to have the bridge completed in time to take care of the increased traffic routed through Cambridge by the completion of the new Concord Turnpike connecting with the Mohawk trail.

Movements are already afoot it is understood to make another attempt for state or federal and by putting through the legislature a bill providing for financing and erection of the bridge and the accompanying plan of moving the Charles river to facilitate the construction of the span and easo traffic conditions.

Financing Now Difficult

At a dinner Monday night hold by the Cambridge Club in the Hotel Continental, the plan was explained by Francis E. Frothingham '94, and later discussed by the club, among whose members are representatives of the Cambridge Planning Board and The Charles William Eliot Memorial Association. There was almost unanimous approval of the plan itself, but it was generally agreed that although there was no doubt as to the coming necessity of the bridge, or to the merits of the proposal as the ultimate in the development of this part of the river basin, the financing of the Cambridge share of this three quarter million project, at the present time, might be difficult. It was suggested that perhaps the bridge, which in itself comprised only slightly more than half the total cost of the plan, could be constructed first and the extensive developments of the river left until the return of better times.

The plan, as was announced in October, is to straighten the present sharp curve of the river opposite Soldiers Field and to put a bridge across the new bed. This bridge will be built on the dry land on the Boston side of the projection formed by the curve and the channel dug under it after the bridge is completed.

Harvard Supports Plan

Officials of the University and the Harvard Athletic Association are understood to support the project, which if successful, will improve materially the playing conditions on Soldiers Field. President Conant and Arthur L. Endicott '94, Comptroller of the University, have been approached and both are in favor of the plan, providing that no legal flaws in the Higginson deed to Soldiers Field develop to prevent altering its shape.

Many of the interests which are to be affected by the bridge have been accosted in connection with the plan and differing opinions as to the necessity of the project have been given.

In an interview yesterday, Judge Robert Walcott '95, speaking as a trustee of the Cambridge Hospital and also of the Cambridge Home for Aged People, both of which institutions will be affected by the proposed bridge, said: "The Cambridge Hospital and the Homes for Aged People regret the increased noise, but recognize that this link must be made. None of our land is condemned. There is no doubt but what the bridge will become a necessity when the relocated Concord turnpike is completed. This road will offer a quick through-way to Concord and all points west on the Mohawk trail and the resulting congestion in Harvard Square must be relieved by making it easy for traffic to use the other side of the river."

Forbes Calls it Waste of Money

Mr. Edward W. Forbes '95, the curator of the Fogg Museum, who lives at Gerry's Landing, said concerning the bridge: "I do not like to oppose the plan to bridge the river at this point because I think the bridge itself to be a benefit to the public. The proposed shift of the river bed, involving the removal of such a large amount of earth at such great expense, and spoiling the present beautiful and familiar curve, is, in my opinion, a great waste of money for the questionable advantage of allowing faster driving along the straightened parkway."

Twitchell Against River Shifting

Mr. Roger T. Twitchell '16, headmaster of Browne and Nichols school, whose boat house and playing grounds adjoin the land where the Cambridge and of the span will rest, said yesterday: "The suggested building of a bridge at this point will make access to the school easier and will open out the large marsh area below the cemetery to proper policing. To this part of the plan I have no objection whatsoever, but the shifting of the river bed, I consider somewhat extravagant.