Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-24


% the Church Tower Begin York.
woakNn H,seAaEp IN arnovfSe TIE DEBRIS rRn~
RAhAroRr 10 nxsroRno TIE curRcR on TIE
COVENANT.
Inc great pile Of stone and mortar that b now
AL that remains OF the beautiful tower Of the
Cnurcn OF the Covenant Was attacked early this
morning oy gang OF workmen, armed with packs
Iney worked hard ali day, removing nrst the loose
stones at the base Of the pile and working inward
toward the piers OF the tower. Although they
pushed along steadily they made but little
impression on the enormous mass Men climbed
70 the roof and cautiously examined the broken
STRUCTURE, tearing away such portions OF the tim
Der work as we're loose and within reach. About o
O'Clock small group Of men stood on the northeast
soon Joined them The commis.ion H soeotated
Oy me District Commissioners At the request OF
the church building committees 10 investigate the
and Richardson. the Representatives OF the cnurch.
Messrs. Fitch, Gait and Fendail; the architects,
M MessrS Caay Berg; and the contractor: Mr
tne commission withdrew from the group and
consulted about the course the investigation
mas mas s 70 take; NJ. Entwisle said that
direction taken by the tower In its fan 10 order 10
ascertain the point In the structure which gave
that they need not examine very particularly into
the character OF the materials used; that il was
nos SO much question OF that kind as Of the
metnods OF construction. Nevertheless M. Rich.
ardson the District chemist PROVIDED himself with
q couple OF chunks OF stone and mortar. AL three
cast questionable glanees at the remains OF the
'front.' arch. The boss OF the gang OF workmen
handed out bent piece OF iron, one OF the bonds
used In the work, which had been uneartned In
the digging.
Mr. KNrwfsLKs OBJECTION
Mr. Entwisle mentioned the fact that, as build.
Ing inspector, he felt sorae delcacy about serving
on the commission, and thought OF asking TO be
relieved. SUN he accompanied the Others when
they went about 9:3O O'Clock, into the chapel at
was then begun, and the members OF the commits
sion say that they intend TO do 1t thoroughly, and
embody the result In report
WHAT TIE BUILDING COMMITTEE PRoPosEA
The plan Of restoring the church which the build
ing committee wish t0pursue Is TO flnish the gable
In 'front.', run up the tower to the necessary height
and then replace the roof. The interior work W II
then be completed and made ready for the use or
the congregation. Then. II II Is so decid d, the
tower Can be completed and finished in accordance
with the original design. those interes Ell IN the
church and also In the architectural beauty Of the
city express the earnest hove that the tower VIII oe
rebuilt
THE COMMISSION TO MEET AGAIN THIS EVENING.
The commission remained Ia sess on about two
hours at the church this morning, and then sd.
1ourned to meet again this evening ths purpose
OF looking over the specifications. A mai report
Will not be made until the debris has been moved
foundations. The report will probably state the
cause OF the accident, and upon this basis set
tlement OF the damage win be made. Wnen the
latter fact is determined there will be meeting or
inc board OF trustees, and the plans for The recon-
struction Of the tower will be considered
IT NAY BE WEEK BEFORE THE REPORT Is MADE
Mr.. Greene, OF the commission, said to TUE STAR
reporter, after the morning session, that nothing
OF any importance had been done; they hao merely
listened 70 what the church people, the architect
ana the builder had to say, and had called Tor all
the plans. specifications and details connected
with the construction. The committee, he added,
would examine these very carefully, and would be
through vita them by the time that the debris of
the tower is removed. He thought that IL mig ht
De week before the report is made TO the District
commissioners.
MIR. Richardson said chat he would probably
make chemical tests OF the stone and tar used
In the building.
Mr.. Morrison, the builder was asked to collect
and save all the metal anchors used liz the wall
that could be found, TO be examined by the com.
mlttee. To the reporter he said that he had no
idea when the stones Will be cleared away. He Is
now erecting scaffolding In the interior or the
church, near the front arch, and Will bud tenn
p0rary roof over the ruins TO protect the walls
from the wind and rain.