Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-29
THE AQUEDUCr FRAUDS.
What Contractor BeckWish and
Quaekenbush Have 10 Say-The Other
Fellows did ID.
TIE EVENING srAR:

To the Editor Of TEE EVENING STAR:
In the absence OF NessrS Clinton Beckwith 4
John v. Quackehoush, the contractors for the
construction OF the Washington aqueduct tunnel
We deem statement from US, their responsible
employees called for, touching the defective Pack
Ing found by Investigation The conditions under
which the work Is being done are follows: The
trimming or enlargement OF the tunnel for lining
II carried on by our own laborers under super.
vision OF our own fore:1en- The labor OF putting
In the masonry lining Is done by Brennan 4
Palmer, under o memorandum OF agreement with
Beckwith = Quackenbush, all the material and
plant being furnished by the latter. Brennan 4
Palmer employ their own bricklayers stone
masons and packers, and have their own foremen.
The agreement between Brennan & Palmer and
plets the masonry ITO the satisfaction OF the
United States engineer In charge which Is iden-
tween our principals and the Government The
United states engineer In charg Is represented at
each masonry beading by an Inspector. There
duties TO supervise the hole or the Inspection
Assuming that the Government inspectors would
employ additional inspectors OF our own TO further
supervise the work OF Brennan Palmer.
NJ. 9uackenousn, when here, has repeatedly Sig
Mined TO the chief Inspector his desire that the In
spection should be minute and thorough. The
amounts OF cement and sand furnished 70 Brennan
Palmer have been suf1ctent 70 average from Is
TO IL per cent OF the total value OF masonry which
Is usually allotted 10 that class or work.
So FAR as our own visibility in the premises
IL concerned our several duties have not Involved
personal inspection OF the packing. Consequently
our Inspection Of the details OF the masonry work
has been limited TO such observation as Is possi-
bic IN passing under q masonry heading while
going through the tunnel according to Mr. Quack-
enbush's Instructions Hence the execution of the
Palmer and TO the Government inspectors who
supervised them Under these conditions no
pront could possibly have have accrued 70 Beck
with Quackenoush by sighting the work OF
packing. The Government pays In monthly esti-
mates based upon the certificates OF its in
spectors that certain amount OF work has been
done 70 their satisfaction Brennan Palmer are
In turn paid by Beckwith Quackenbush for their
labor by quantity and on the strength OF the GER
uncate OF the Government inspectors as to quail
lily. SO that Beckwth Quackenoush have paid
as much for the bad work as for the good
ton has proceeded, the lack OF proper packing
has been found limited 70 q comparatively narrow
sRses mmsdiately over tne Key Of the brick arch
done. In case tie deiscIive packing should S1' Be
roof win have TO be pierced with man holes at
suitable distances TO enable packers 70 work to a
common point between them, and the void spaces
will be properly packed without unjointing the
existing brick arch. or course, Beckw1th Quack-
enbush, by tine terms OF their contract, are the
parties recognized by the Government as respon-
siole. and Will be held under their bond TO make
good all defects TO the satisfaction OF the repre-
Oh sns InI But sne actual o,
must be ascribed 10 the Government inspectors on
DUTY At the masonry headings, VINO were Implicitly
relied upon 10 see that the work performed by
the employ e. OF Brennan Palmer In accordance
with the contract and specifications.
Ioacnins the statems n,s that have been pub
the Government Inspectors and Brennan & Palmer
or their employees We can form opinion; but
thus far there Il no substantial evidence In that
direction From appearances thus far we draw
the CONCLUSION that the defective work Is due
partly 10 the negligence OF masons and inatten-
ton 10 Their duties ON the part OF Government In
spectofs 81 the masonry headings
A W. LHRoY, superintendent
A. Z. BUELL., r. W. CLARK En21neers
GRQRQEfoNS. ID. G.. Sept d lA6S