Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-04-07
A MONUMENT SENSATION.
A Stain On the Surface Of the Marble
Which Was Supposed % be . Crack
In the Masonry.


Many persons on their way down town this
morning were astonished, upon looking at the
washington monument, to observe what ap.
peared TO be gaping vertical crack in the
north face of the structure, about ten or fifteen
rect below the 5OO-foot level. The report spread
like wildfire that the monument had cracked,
and was doomed. A careful scrutiny through
q pair OF good field glasses showed that other
faces OF the monument were marked in the
same way, although not so conspicuously, and
that there were more such marks on the north
lace. II could be seen that these marks were
not CRACKS. but no such streaks had ever been
noticed before, although the monument had fire.
quentiy been stained temporarily by the rain.
MR.. R. B. GREENE EXPLAINS THE CAUSE OF THE
STAINS.
A STAR reporter lost no time in calling at the
monument office for an explanation. Col.
Casey was not in, but Mr.. B. r. Greene, his as
sisSant said: ayes, my attention has been
called to the crack in the monument several
through glass its cause was apparent. The
streak, clearly visible to- the naked eve, and
the the Others other which can be seen by
rain washing the dust from the vertical
joints These joints are somewhat more open
ta ,;s the horizontal joints, because the mortar
VIII not stand upright very well. The mortar
is not placed in the vertical joints until after
Inc stones are in place, and then 1t is forced in
g quarter to three-eighths Of an inch in size
Tue filling. perhaps, is not flush with the face OF
In monument, and dust is apt to accumulate
out and it will stain the face, so that the streak
you see Is probably not the joint itself, but
DIRTY MARK ON THE STONE
directly beneath the joint. The horizontal
joints are not quite so open as the vertical
joints, and besides the face of the monument is
steep inclined plane and the water running
down will pass along the vertical joints as in q
gutter. AS time passes these joints will natur.
ally become more open-mfnd it is not the in
terror Of the joints that is affected, only the
surface-and these streaks will be more apt to
appear. 1t will probably be necessary before a
great while to go over the surface of the monu-
ment to clean 1t and point the joints. The pure
white marble of the monument is very apt to be
discolored. You know that changes in the at
mosphere change the appearance of the monu-
as is shown this morning. Great care will have
to be taken to keep the face free from perma-
nent stains.
THE MONUMENT LIKELY TO BE DISCOLORED BY
TOBACCO CHEWERS.
The windows above the Northumberland
level will afford an opportunity for visitors to
spit tobacco juice down the face, which is slant
ing or to otherwise deface it, so that If care is
not taken the root, after the general public is
the countryman who can't or won't spit over
his chin.
COL. CASEY AMUSED.
Col. Casey entered the office at this moment
anu Was greatly amused at the widespread and
ridiculous report which he had heard down
town of the crack in the monument. He ex-
planned the streaks in the same way that MIR.
Greene had done.
THE QUESTION OF FILLING BABCOCK LAKE
The question of the necessity of filling up
Babcock lake to insure the stability of the
monument is not worrying Col. Casey at ALL
He does not regard it necessary, but has all
along urged the ad visibility of such a course, on
the ground of prudence. The stability of the
foundation depends upon balance of forces
Babcock lake does not enter directly into the
question, but he thinks that everything should
be done to make the pressure upon all sides Of
the foundation equal. Another reason advanced
for the filling OF the lake is that its absence is
necessary TO make the approaches and sur
roundings of the monument symmetrical and
tasteful.
THE IRON STAIRWAY
in the interior of the monument is practically
elevator stages, one Of which will run out to
the elevator shaft from the stairway at every
fifty feet of the ascent.
Col Casey was inclined to afford every facil
1ty to the public to visit the monument and in
tended issuing limited passes upon the com.
pletlon OF the stairway TO visitors who wished
to climb to the top, provided they carried a
lantern. In view of the lack OF custody of the
monument he has about decided, however, not
there are no provisions tor keeping force OF
Watchmen on hand every opportunity would
be given TO vandals and relic seekers to def;.ce
the structure, either by tamperIng with the
memorial stones or writing their names upon
the walls. When Congress make provision fol
tecting 1t and by furnishing means for running
the elevator visitors will be given every facility