Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-29

Inc inside area OF the tunnel as lined Is feet 10k
inches by feet Tx inches The lining first
aTcb tine Hssr 6eoW OF
When 1t was found to be advisable TO line the en-
tire tunnel
THE PRESENT PLAN OF LINING
was adopted. This leaves the natural rock for
the floor. There are side walls Of stone masonry
Is inches thick and feet high; from this springs
the brick arch forming the roof This arch is COM
posed OF two rings or courses, except at some
points where the natural rock above Is badly de-
composed and In such places three rings are used.
Of course the blasting OF the tunnel leaves an
lrregulary hoie and there are, necessarily,
spaces TO NIL between the symmetrical and uni
form masonry wall and brick arch, shown in the
cut OF inc and the Jagged and irreg
have been committed in this part OF the work.
The contract requires this space to be filled with
rubble, laid in cement mortar. In many places
there are large apertures between the brick and
the outer rock. Occasionally the blast brought
down huge pieces OF rock, leaving large chambers
or pockets many feet above the top of the brick
arcn into the treacherOus rock. In other places
there are spaces left OF only few inches. The
plan ADOPTED and the 81 the contract
a character that would insure the stability Of the
structure. This part OF the work not visible to
the eye when the brick arch Is completed, has
been 'Scamped" or almost entirely neglected.
Places are found where there has been no packing
at all Other places have been packed with loose
stones without cement. The opportunity for fraud
In this part OF the work, where the inspection is per-
functory, careless criminally obtu,e, are great,
and full advantage appears TO have been taken OF It.
one who made an occasional inspection only would
see necessarily only the last work completed. II
IL prese nted to view section with the stone
wall and arch OF brick well laid, and q
ruDble masonry structure above, extending
out 10 the rock, necessarily all OF the work
previously done would be concealed from view eX-
cept the interior or the brickwork. A collar OF
masonry thus inserted might hide long section
LEFT entirely bare Of the rubbe masonry packing
required TO make the work secure, and paid for
under
spection that would reveal the fraud after such a
snam had been practiced would be such one as
Lieut.. IOwsend has adopted since the exposure.
IL Is still question who are implicated In the
frauds. The brickwork and the packing are done
by MeSSrS. Bremen Palmer under an arrange
ment with the contractors for the tunnel, Beck
with Quackenbush. The contractors pay for
the work by the yard, and, STAR reporter was In
formed, pay all the men, so that Bremen &
Palmer are not sub-cOntractors in the usual
meaning OF the work. Mr.. Palmer told a STAR re-
porter That he was paid so well for the work that
ne could make fair amount on 1t without resort
Ing 10 fraud. Representatives OF the contractors
claim that they have been victimiZed and have
paid g0ol prices Tor the bad and cheap work.
Lieut.. Townsend says that he Is convinced OF a
conspiracy, which must have involved the sub
inspectors, and the men who were actually doing
the work.
THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT.
brief recapitulat1On OF the history OF the aQue-
duct extension may not be undressing in this