The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-03
WASHINGTON.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, May 2, 1877.
THE WASHINGTON MoNUMENT-INsUFFIENcY OF
THE FoUNpATIoN-REpoRT OF THE COMMITS
SION.
The commission heretofore appointed to examine
the suiciency OF the foundation OF tho Washing
ton National Monument consisting OF Lieutenant
Colonies Kurtz, Duane and Gilmore. submitted their
opinions as follows:-
Fyra-That the stratum OF sand and clay upon
which tho monument rests is already loaded to the
limit Of prudence, not, indeed 10 the limit Of safety
and that II does not offer sufficient resistance 10 CON-
PRECISION TO Justify completion Of the shalt accord.
Hnce with tho modified design or any DINER dcsgn
that will load the underlying soil beyond lo.0oo
pounds per square foot.
Sec0nd-That the additional weight imposed at the
top OF the WILL in all probability cause adj
diIonal and probably extensive splitting and splitting
10 ee asnar acng near 81. O , .so,,v foundation
not given spread enough TO carry the weight
1t was designed 10 place upon IT, II sumcient spread
and depth had been originally provided the iuii
hcighh OF the structure might have been placed upon
IT, and the weight distributed over larger area. so as
10 be within the limits OF security. ~
Fourth-Thcrc has been actual compression OF tho
soil oil between eight and nine inches the
shalt Is sensibly out oil plumb ana me Iounaa .
courses show an increasing departure from horizon
tality. -
additions made TO tho weight OF the structure, II
not TO dangerous degree least to an extent that
will make inc monument very unsuted TO The pur-
pose which Il was designed II u were tower or
shalt chimney, intended for manufacturing or In.
duslria uses, such detects might be overlooked and
useful results still expected IRON IT, But this siruc-
turc n to be an exposition tho world OF the estimate
which Is placed upon Washington by his countrymen.
1t lisa great bare ooeisk plain 70 SEVERITY con.
the great would but for these
very exactlng in Nil ITS parts and particularly
foundation should DO strong and perfect and truly
SNAPPED and accurately placed together There should
DO no yielding OF the parts ana no disturbance OF the
levels Upon such foundation monument could be
reared Gt 10 commemorate Washington ana worthy OF
tho nation of whose foundation he was the choi master
builder.
GOVERNMENT DIRECTORS OF THE UNION Pa
CIFIC RAILROAD
Secretary schurz to-day appointed the following
gentlemen as government directors OF the Union Pa
ciac Railroad Company Tor the term OF ono year from
the 18th day OF March last John q. Harrison. OF
Indiana; Francis B. Brewer, OF New York; James ).
Wilson, OF Iowa; Joseph II. Willard, OF Nebraska, aud
Daniel Chadwick OF Connecticut Those arc oil reap
poin.ments except In the case OF Mr. Chadwick, who
succeeds J. A. Tibbitts. OF Connecticut. resigned
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS FOR MARCH.
The Chief OF the Bureau Of Statistics has prepared
statement the foreign trade OF country orths
moth March and for thrcequarters OF the current
tsca year, which Is as foliows:-
Imports Of merchandise for March ...... LESBOS
Exports OF merchandise for March,. 4o.593,SlO
Excess Of imports. ......... s1,Ss4.2O3
Exports for nine months $40 O65, 7S2
Imports for uino months ............ 3l4 S54 $50
Excess OF exports $loo Zou, 90
Tho excess OF specie imports over the ex-
ports WAS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. So,ooA,oSd
THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS IN LOUISIANA.
It is intmated that tho President will complete tho
appointments to federal offices in Louisiana within
week. The does not promise to be as lively as
that witnessed over the Colectorship. Colonel Jack
Wharton who was formerly Adjutant General OF the
fnrT 1ntfn tntA mi
Is stated hero that j. N. G. Parker will DO appointed
Postmaster OF New Orleans.