New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-08-30
HAS THE OBELIsK BEEN INJURED1
rp uc,ry THINKS THAT MORE HARM THAN GOO

Mr. MCAIS THINKS THAT MORE HARM THAN 'o"D
WAS DONE BY THE rARAFFINE TREATMENT.
A sin moose was thrown over the top OF the
Obellsk ia Central Park YESTERDAY by Foreman
McCaln, who has charge of the masonry III tne
parks. A series of ladders was fastened rom ne
ION of tho Obelisk to the base oil the shaiL
A block aud tackle were then suspended from the
apex of the Obelisk, by means OF which STOUT
wooden frame. large enough TO hod TWO men con- T
fortably could be raised OF lowered at WILL Inc
object a these preparations was 10 make
careful examination of the surface or the Obeusk'
Duung the day President Beekman, OF the faIk
Ioard and Superintendent Parsons entered the
chair and were drawn up slowly along the sue Oh
the Obclisk examining II as they Went naS W. 70
ter the shaft was treated with coato patalhe 70
protect II against the dsintegrating effects OF tne
climate IL had been found that the surface OF the
stone RAPIDLY scaling on; III some p,aceS
The scales were more than an inch thick
Before the psrafne was applied the loose scaIes GU
fhe surface were removed with chlsel; Inc pieces
that were thus removed filled six barrels. Most or
these scales were about the size OF dime, put
many pieces were as large as mans hand. Inc
tsoS of the stone was heated TO absorb the oil 1t
claimed by Mi Cafia who conducted me W0Ik,
that the paTafine would penetrate tuliy nan an
inch and electuay exclude the moisture mat
caused the dislntegratl0n OF the stone. -
The examination by Foreman Mccain SOL far indi'
Gates that the treatment mas MOI oee1 US u
n a failure. Assisted by another man, he caTetuliy
goes the surface. sounding II TO see Ii theie Is
If doesn't look at all we'll" he said yesterday.
81 was a little doubt myself about the paraiilne
method, but am surprised 10 nnu lndt IL htS NV
been nearly as successful as ! thought II would De-
In sounding spots upon the sides with the handle
of the chIsel find great many hollow places,
showing thar flakes are loosening, and nttle scales
are peehng on on all SIDES
:" l. the parafine retained in the granite y
Yes FAY a 1t goes, but take piece IKE TINS
which | picked of witk my finger easily he
pasafine has not penetrated more than thirty
second part of an inch
"Do YOU think that the work was not properly
done r.
mo, I think 1t was done as well as it could be.
and as far a. know II is as good any other
method; but don't believe 1t will do
to treat granite in that fashion. The
stone was FL st heated. Won know by holding over II
braZicr filled with live Goals. When the paratiine
was applied the surface sometimes bllstering
hot Ihir may do for brick or sandstone but II Is
death 90 granite 10 heat IL. Ii will crack aud
break up under slight heat good deal of stone
was taken on the Obclisk and some of the char
actcrs were partly destroyed. but. II am not mis-
taken great deal more OF the surface Will fall of
within year on two on account OF the heat that
was applied"
The examination will occupy several days more
and Mr. Cafa. who applied the paraiiinc, Will
also make an inspection of the Obelsk Tomorrow.
Foreman McCaiu will report TO the Park Board the
result Of his examination.