Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-23
TUNNEL TESTIMONY TO-DAY.
Capt. Symons and Lieut.. Townsend on
the Witness Stand.

Capt. Symons and Lieut.. Townsend on
the Witness Stand.
THE FORMER STATES THAT TIE WORK or LINING
THE TUNNEL HAD BARELY COMMENCED WHEN
CAPT. HoxIE WAS ORDERED AwAY-THE LATTnR
TELLS WHAT HE KNOWS OF THE BAD WORK.
The twenty-second day Of the investigation
by the tunnel court was begun at 1880 this
morning. Neither Brennan nor Emory, the
sub-contractors whom the court are so anxious
to reach. having appeared, Capt Symons, corps
of ens;u IRA. was called to the stand He
stateC - was placed on the work of the
aquedu Atension in December, 1883, under
Major Lydecker. He reported to the major
on the 18th of December, at which time Capt.
Hoxie was on duty. In about a week he was
made experimenting engineer He did not
receive any written instructions, all of his or
ders being verbal. The work had been Just laid
out and started at the different tunnel shafts
There were two engineers, MIR. Partridge and
MIR. Merrill, employed on the tunnel, but no
inspectors. The work increased so that other
assistants were found necessary, and q larger
and better engineering force was established
III the tunnel. Mr.. Coryell was one of the en-
gineers to see that the tunnel was kept in the
right line, OF the right size, and to inspect the
character Of the rock.
QUESTION SOON AROSE
as 10 the character Of lining to be put into the
tunnel, 1t being finally decided to line with
brick and dry packing instead of concrete.
Two inspectors-Woodward and Tarbell-were
then employed. They were young men Of ed
ucation. The former had some experience in
this line, but the latter had none. Then other
inspectors were employed. Mr.. Lucas, at the
nj ham Theaa in.
spectors were given copies Of the speciica-
tons and ordered to see that the work corre-
sponded with them and to make daily reports Of
progress. Capt. Symons said that it was
his habit to visit the tunnel as often as pos
slble, but his time was considerably taken up
on other work, such a. the construction of the
dam at Great Falls. He was relieved from this
duty in May, 1886
Gen. Ruger asked what portion Of the lining
had been put in the tunnel when he left the
work.
That, replied the witness, was a matter Of
record that he could not give exactly from
memory, but referred to q plat submitted by
Lieut. Townsend, which showed under which
officer the lining Of the various parts Of the
tunnel was put in.
HOW CAPT. sYMoSs INSPECTED.
On second thought, the witness said, he could
not remember whether or not the inspectors
were given copies Of the specifications. When
ever he went into the tunnel he made a careful
personal inspection Of the work, getting up on
the scafolding and examining everything
around The drily reports of the inspectors
passed through the hands of Mr.. Coryell, who
sometimes noted on them anything he con-
sidered worthy Of mention, but beyond this
made no report. Witness gave the inspection
OF bricks on top his personal attention. The
mortar was mixed by the contractor and the
inspectors were supposed to look after
its character. The work Of lining was
going on systematically. When a bad
spot in the stone was encountered gang was
put IN to line 1t. There was no regular organi-
cation for this purpose, as the main object was
the driving Of the hole of the tunnel Capt,
Symons said that he constantly consulted Mai.
Lydecker and kept him informed of the pro-
gress of the work.
How many times did Mai. Lydecker visit
the tunnel with you?" asked Gen. Ruger.
Il don't remember Just how many times, but
know that he was with me on two occasions"
was the reply.
THE LINING JUST BARELY BEGUN WHEN CAPT.
HOXIE WAS RELIEVED.
The work, said the witness, was Just barely
begun when Capt. Hoxie was relieved. Mr..
Lucas was appointed on the eastern shaft be-
cause he was considered very good masonry
inspector. All of the inspectors were appointed
under Capt. Symons' supervision before going
on the tunnel
''who was Capt Hoxie?" asked Capt. Chester.
HE was Major Lydecker's assistant at the
District Offices and on the tunnel" was the
reply. He was one Of the originators Of the
scheme OF increasing the water supply of the
city, and had some influence in securing the
appropriations"
THE INSPECTORS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
The inspectors came to the tunnel with
strong recommendations. The witness always
considered Mr.. Lucas q trustworthy man, and
employed him as a sub-inspector for that rea-
son. The written reports Of the inspectors
were filed away in the aqueduct office, and
were at all times subject to Major Lydecker's
inspection.
MAJOR LYDEcKER's TWO VISITS TO THE TUNNEL.
In speaking Of the two visits OF Major
Lydecker to the tunnel, Capt. Symons said that
one occasion was when q committee Of Con-
gress inspected the work, and the other was
when the major went down to satisfy himself
as to the progress Of the work.
Mr.. Lucas, said the witness, in reply to Col.
Craighill, was employed as a foreman by him
during the laying of the 48-inch main. He had
recommendations as to character.
LIEUT.. TOWNSEND THE NEXT WITNESS.
Capt. Symons was excused at II is, and Lieut.
Townsend was called to the stand He said
that he was ordered to duty in connection with
the aqueduct extension on the 9th Of April
1887, and reported to Major Lydecker May T.
1887, and was designated as supervising engi-
neer ON the tunnel. He had talk with Major
Lydecker, who told him to make a personal in
spection of the tunnel with view to deter
mining
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MEN EMPLOYED.
He went down into the tunnel the first time
with Major Lydecker, and after about two
weeks inspection reported to Major Lydecker
that on the whole, the inspectors seemed to be
capable men and doing their duty we'll, but
that Mr.. Coryell was either incompetent or
performing his duties as engineer in q careless
manner and recommended his discharge.
Major Lydecker replied that Coryell had been
doing very good work, but that there was o
suspicion about his work. Yet he was anxious to
give him further trial. The inspectors in adj
ditition to their other duties. were ordered to
take cross sections as a check upon Mr.. Cory
ellis work, which the contractors complained
of az defective.
In his inspection Of the work Lieut.. Town
send found very little bad work, amounting
to nothing Of consequence. He kept finding
repeated indications Of bad work on the part
Of Mr.. Coryell, however, and recommended
his discharge a second time. He was retained
upon the work until the work was suspended
in the fall Of 1887.
PAPERS SUBMITTED.
Lieut. Townsend submitted in evidence
map (the same used by Capt Symons in his
testimony showing the progress Of the work
from the beginning, also several prepared
statements setting forth the dates on which the
various sections OF the work were completed