The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-01-17
THE NEW AQUEDUCT.
Col. Lydeeker Not Likely to he SuperSeded--C
Sym0nss Efficient Work,

Sym0ns's Efficient Work.
The writer Of the paragraph in the Capitat OF last
Sunday to the effect that either Col. william Ludlow
or Col. o. NJ. Poe of the Corps of Engineers, would
be sent here as Engineer Commissioner, to succeed
NAL Lydecker, seems to take IL for granted that
change In the Engineer Commissioner has been de-
cided upon and s certain to be made. There are
very strong reasons for believing that this is not the
case. Commissioner West has been superseded by
Commissioner Webb; il Is certain tnat Commis-
sioner EdmOnds Will soon be succeeded, and II at
the same time a change is made in the Engineer
Commissioner, there will lresult complete change In
the Board OF Commissioners within a very short
time. This Is contrary to the theory upon which the
board Is founded is contrary to the dictates OF good
judgment, and should be carefully avoided. There Is
for relieving Mai. Lydecker and substitute
ing new man In his place, who must of necessity,
be unfamiliar with the manifold duties OF the POSI-
ton. Mai. Lydecker has made very enicient and
very acceptable Commissioner. The President rec
ognizes this and is credited with saying to proml-
nent official that he has intention OF making any
such change as ia mentioned.
Besides, the Philadelphia press Is unanimous with
one exception in desiring the retention OF Col. Lud-
low as water commissioner, ana It Is very doubtful
II he would be allowed to leave Philadelphia. Col.
Poe was here for many years, and Ia now stationed
at Detroit In charge of important work. There s
to believe that the people, the city, the
country would be the galners by the substitution Of
Col Poe for Maj Lydecker at F0ur-anda-half street,
II 1t is believed that there plenty OF work for the
Engineer Commissioner to do at F0ur-and-a-half
street without supervising the new water works, this
supervision can be taken from Maj Lydecker as
well as from Col Ludlow or Col. Poe. And II the
charge OF the new water works Is 10 be taken from
the Engineer Commissioner, II should without tho
slightest question be given to the olcer who has had
direct and personal charge OF all the operations con-
nected with these works ever since any active work
| Gan
Capt. Hoxle has had nothing whatever TO do with
the construction of the new water works. lie as.
sisted Nal Twinlng and Maj. Lydecker In making
the general plan for increasing the water supply
which was finally adopted. When active operations
| commenced In the fall OF 1888 Capt. Symons was or
dered TO the work and made is experimenting en-
glneer and has conducted all operations SINCE The
amount OF work done by and credit due to Capt.
Hoxle for his share In the new water works Ia far
below that done by aud due to Capt Symons, and 1t
would not emily DO matter OF positive Injustice but
great deiinent TO the work 10 allow Capt. Symons
10 be superseded now. In his conduct OF the work
| capt. Symons has won the highest opinions OF his
supcrors ana the respect and admiration OF all with
whom he has come In engineers
Inspectors aud workmenOn account OF his thorough
practical knowledge and executive ability. Tho
skl with which the tunnel operations have been
carried on Is manifested In tue maryelously small
number OF accidents which have taken place In the
prosecution Of this very dangerous work. This re-
suit has been brought about by the most incessai
watchfuness ON the part OF Capt. Symons and his
assistanis, ana by the making and enforcing Of wise
precautionary regulations. The conduct OF this
work stands out In bright contrast 10 the conduct Of
the New York aqueduet work, where men have
been slaughtered IN numbers sufficiently great TO
excite the popular Indignation.
Capt. Synlons has made many changes IN the
original roughly-panped project rendered necessary