Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-23
THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
Meeting Of the Joint Commission.
THE ANNUAL REPORT OF Col. cAsEy-THB FILL
ING OF BABc0CK LAKE-THE TIRRAcR-fHE ELR-
yATOR.

THE ANNUAL REPORT OF Col. cASEY-THE FILL
ING OF BABcoCK LAKE-THE TERRAcE-rHE ELE-
yAT0R.
meeting Of the Joint commission charged with
the construction OF the washington monument
held a meeting at the White House this afternoon.
There were present President Cleveland, who Is
ex-omcto president OF the commission; Mr. w. w.
COrcoran, Gen. Duane and Col Casey OF the engi-
neer corps; Architect Bell, of the Treasury, and
Architect Clark, Of the Capitol. Mr.. Corcoran
presided. The annual report of Col. Casey, the
engineer In charge OF the monument, was sub
mitted and approved. 1t recites that the work of
constructing the monument is practically finished,
and that all that remains to be done is to improve
the terrace work at the base; to take precaution-
airy measures for the security OF the foundation;
TO provide means for operating the elevator within
the shaft, and to arrange for the future care and
preservation OF the monument
THE LAW AS TO FILLING BABCOCK LAKE
provided for filling SO much as may be considered
necessary. The commission after carefully con-
sdering the subject, decided that the entire lake
should be filed Nothing was done regarding
as the bill which has passed the House and h now
pending In the senate Is considered sufficient for
seh sc for for the
to those in force at the Capitol.
THE TERRACE.
A set OF plans for extending the monument ter
race into large irregular mound were adopted
This work will be done at the same time Babcock
lake is filed as far as practicable with the funds
available. The plans as adopted provide for ex-
tending mound about 500 feet to the north, west
and east and about 400 feet to the south from the
present terrace. The mounds to be irregular In
shape, with no regard to symmetry, SO that 1t may
appear as much like natural elevation as p0sSi-
BILE, on the summit Of which the base Of the mOnu-
ment will rest. All the connections of the struc-
ture with the boiler house, some distance away,
will be underground and out OF sight. The plans
adopted contemplate simply the filling and grad
ing. of the mound The improvement OF the surface
will come within the jurisdiction OF the
grounds with other reservations. Whether
the surface shall be OF unbrOken green or whether
it shall be dotted with shrubs and trees is subject
for further consideration. The amount OF nlifng
roughly estimated at about $4,000 cubic yards OF
which only little over S3 600 cubic yards will be
needed to I'LL the lake. The work OF filling will be
commenced at the base OF the monument. The
recent proposals for performing the work by the
yard were too high, and as soon as Congress con-
cedes the permission to run tramways through the
streets for the purpose OF transporting the mate
rial, proposals will again be invited. The funds at
present available amount to s62, 000 but not more
than S57,OOD can be used for filling. More money
will be required as the work progresses.
FUTURE CUSTODY OF THE MONUMENT.
The commission will, soon as Congress meets
submit a report announcing the completion of the
monument, and recommending that it be turned
over to the War department and that its future
tody be vested in the engineer department. The re-
port will also recommend that suitable force be
located at the monument permanently in order
that the public may have the privilege OF visiting
and ascending the monument. This will include
means for running the elevator In this connection
attention will also be called to the necessity for
lodge house.