Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-24


WAY.
The failure OF Congress to provide Slo7, OOo
Tor improving the immediate surroundings OF
the Washington monument WOULD probably
leave that magnificent structure for another
year just a. 1t now stands, surrounded by shan.
ties and debris, with the ground in its immedi.
ate vicinity rough and uneven. It was intended
to make the ground slope gradually in every
direction rom the monument, SO that IL would
surmount an immense mound, simple and
graceful. 1t 10 presumed that the opposition to
the proposed appropriation was because IL con.
templated the filling OF Babcock lake There
being raised In that water, and IL will not be
safe to remove them until next November. Ar
Engagements can be made SO that the lake will
not be touched until after that date.
WHY 1T IT PROPOSED TO FILL THE LAKE.
It was considered advisable to MI the lake
Tor two reasons: TO avoid any possibility Of the
foundation Of the monument being endangered
by the immediate vicinity Of the lake and TO
secure y symmetrical shape to the contem-
plated mound. Col. Casey has for several years
strongly urged the filing OF Babcock lake, not
because he thought there was any real danger
OF It's weakening the foundation of the monu.
ment, at least In the immediate future, but
rather rs q precautionary measure. The mon.
ument as Ii stands now Is a success, and he felt
that nothing which would in any way insure
it's stability should be LETT undone. The lake is
TOO near the monument to permit of a
sufhcient slope from its bank to the monument.
III the yroun0 were graded uneoually the effect
would not be pleasing.
A NKw PASSENGER ELEVATOR.
Enough money was left from last years ap.
preparation TO complete the monument A
contract has justbeen awarded to Otis Brothers
to transform the heavy freight elevator, which
was used In carrying up the stone for building
tne monument, into a respectable passenger
car. When this is done, however, IL cannot be
USED al once Tor the purposes intended, as there
Is no money as yet provided for running II. II
costs about 80 per day TO run this elevator.
When the monument was being erected it was
Indispensable, and the construction of the
monument included the running of the car,
and visitors could then be taken up without
additional expense. Those who wish to ride 10
the top will have 10 wait until Congress makes
some provision for their convenience.
A MARBLE BOILER HOUSE.
When the approaches to the monument
should be finally completed it was intended to
have NO building 70 mar the beauty and sym
metry OF its immediate SURROUNDINGS There
fore very attractive little boiler-house sas
been recently built at a distance of seye hun
ured and nity feet from the base OF the monu
ment, on the river bank just beyond the road
way southwest OF the monument. 1t is built OF
white marble, with granite trimmings, the re
mains OF the stones used in building the monu
ment ITSELF This building is connected with
the monument by means OF tunne
large ,n enough h iSr All, man to pass through
pipes for supplying the engine we'll as the
return pipe for the exhaust steam. A CONTRACT
has just been made for laying these pipes n
well as Tor furnishing new boiler and remov
ing the old one from the side OF the monument
to the new boiler house. No smoke steam
will ever be seen in the vicinity OF the monu
ment The engine will also be out Of sight, but
provision was made for that years ago. When
the foundations OF the monument were being
strengthened o substantial asphalt platform
WAS built one side OF the foundation below
the proposed base line OF the monument, and
upon TINS the elevator engine was placed and
Will remain. 1t will De entirely out OF sight
and will not interfere with the grade OF the
contem plated mound.
VISITORS CLIMBING THE LONG STAIRWAY.
While waiting for Congress to provide means
for ascending the monument the privilege OF
walking to the summit is not denied visitors.
From fifty to q hundred persons have daily
made the ascent for several months past. About
one-third OF this number have been ladies' IL
takes twenty minutes or over ~ make the
ascent, and the descent is made in about fifteen
A Waterman Is on duty at the top to preven,
acts OF vandalism. Most of the visitors carry
lanterns with them, otherwise the trip Il very
dark and unpleasant.