Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-01
MAJOR LYDECKER WAS WARNED
Gen. Duane Tells the Story Of the New
York AQueduct Frauds.
MEN WHO WORKED THERE EMPLOYED ON THE TUN-
MEL HERE, AMONG THEM sUB-CoNrRACToR BRES-
NAN-GEN. DUANE WARNED MAJOR LYDEcKER
OF THE BAD CHARACTER OF BRENNAN's WORK


The military court of inquiry charged with
the investigation into responsibility for faulty
work in the aqueduct tunnel continued it's ses-
sion to-day. The first witness was Ex-Chief Of
Engineers Brig. Duane, now on the
retired list. He stated to the court,
in detail. the reasons which influenced
the board Of engineers in recommending
the change from dry packing to packing in
mortar. The general said the change was
made because the board thought it necessary
to have bond between the crown of the brick
arch and the top of the excavation. The board
thought it absolutely necessary to have the
packing solid. At the request of Gen. Ruger
Gen. Duane told
THE STORY OF THE NEW YORK TUNNEL
and its 'sbsddy" construction. There, said
the witness, was a complete conspiracy to de-
fraud, and some of the inspectors were
undoubtedly in collusion with the work
men. Inspection developed the presence
above the arch Of about 800 empty
barrels where there should have been solid
masonry. There were regular codes of signals
there by which those in the tunnel were in
formed of the approach of inspectors. There
were more than $50 inspectors. the majority of
them active men, yet they failed for a long
time to detect
THE FRAUD THAT WAS HOURLY BEING PERPE-
TRATED.
In many places the brick work was laid dry;
of course, this was not where it could be seen.
This faulty brick work was probably due to the
fact that there had been trouble between the
contractors and the union masons. These ma
sons refused to allow non-union men to work
ten hours day. To bridge over this difficulty
the contractors made arrangements to have the
1rrnk las1 n
this was seen in the fact, lately developed, that
one man had laid as many as 5000 brick day-a
ieat impossible where the work was thoroughly
done.
Sounding" said the witness, was the means
employed to discover cavities over the arch
and the ''sounder' was generally successful
brick lining could not be depended upon to
hold water.
MEN FROM THE NEW YORK TUNNEL BROUGHT
HERE TO WORK.
Colonel Hodges-"Were any of the men en-
ployed on the New York tunnel afterward en-
ployed ON the Washington tunnel?"
Witness-"Yes; quite a number. believe
Mr.. Beckwith. of the firm of Beckwith 4
Quackenbush, was one of the firm of Brown
Howard d Co., contractors on the New York
aqueduct; in fact he was the managing partner y
Colonel Hodges-'What was the quality OF
his work in New York;"
Witness 1t was the very worst on the whole
line"
Col Hodges-.'Were there any others who
came on to Washington to work for Beckwith?'
Witness: "Yes, good many others. Bren.
nan, one of the subcontractors, was one OF
them. Mclean was another"
MAJOR LYDECKER WAS WARNED
On cross-examination by Capt. Chester wit
ness said he could not say whether or moi
Brennan was discharged from the New York
aqueduct tunnel. On September IL, 1888. wit
ness warned Major Lydecker of the character
OF Brennan's work in New York.
The latter portion of Gen. Duane's testimony
created quite little sensation in the court.
At 11:15, there being no other witnesses pres
ent, the court adjourned until 1890 am Mon
day.
THE "soUNDER" TO BE EXAMINED.
It is probable that there will be but one more
witness before the court of inquiry, and that
will be A. ]. Sparrow, the expert ''sounder, ~
who was sent here by Gen. Duane to aid Major
Lydecker and Lieut.. Townsend in their en-
deavors to locate faulty work. He has been in
the tunnel for a month past, and will, on Mon
day. tell the court all he knows about the state
Of affairs in the great Washington ''hole-in-the-
ground"