Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-06
THE TUNNEL EXCAVATIONS.
Major Lydecker and Lieut.. Townsend
Before the Court To-day.

After devoting two days 10 the reading OF
the record the military court OF inquiry re-
sumed the taking Of testimony this morn
ing, Major Lydecker was called and asked
whether his testimony Of November So 20 the
effect that packing was paid for during the
past year at so much per cubic yard for what
was actually done, applied as well 10 former
years. He replied that il did. and explained
how the estimate Of the amount Of packing re-
CURED was made in advance by the assistant
engineer. When asked il there was an undue
excavation made by the contractor through
careiessness would the packing be paid for in
full, he replied that ordinarily il would. but in
one case there was an exception made, when
capt symons refused to make such payment
The check upon undue excavations, be said
was the judgment OF the officer i'm charge.
and the fact that the contractors removed ali
rock In excess OF the sections taken Mt their
own expense. The cross sections, he said were
made by MIR. Coryell, mp 20 the time of his dis
charge: as basis of payment. II was Mr..
CoryelIs duty TO make the cross Sc tons al
though the work WAS done occasionally by Mr..
kerlln.
EXCESSIVE EXCAVATION.
He was asked ifitw not a constant tempta-
ton TO the contractors 10 make excessive exca-
walton in order that they might be paid for the
additional packing. and WHY the contractors
shonid be paid for packing unnecessary exca-
vations.
He replied that il it had been discovered that
the excavations were unduly large the con-
tractors would have been required 20 nh the
excess at their own expense. This was doua
IN the case referred TO.
who would be the person TO decide whether
there was excessive excayationY'
Eventually would have been, but the mat
ter would have been brought 90 nv attention
by my assistant or by Mr.. Coryell when he Was
employed"
LIEUTENANT TOWNSEND WAS RECALLED
and given an opportunity to make any correc-
ton of his testimony or 20 make a statement i'm
regard to Major Lydecker's testimony. X.
said that the excavation was made generally
up to the normal cross section. He explained
IN detail how the excavation waE made and
what were the limits. When il was decided
that lining was necessary there were occasional
deNctions in blasting from the line of the tun-
nel, but these were made with a view of econ-
omy In the packing He saw no indications
That the contractors were making excessive eK-
cavatlons IN order that they might be paid for
additional packing. Up To the time the last
contract was made the contractors were not
aware that the whole tunnel was 10 be lined
and In large portion of the work there could
have been no incentive TO excessive exca vation
because the contractors knew they would have
TO remove the rock excavated in excess at their
own expense.
He was asked il the numerous cavities which
had been found above the arch could have re-
suited accidentally, and replied in the sffirms-
tive.
In answer TO direct question witness ex-
pressed the opinion that the payment for pack.
ing the excessive excavations would have more
than counterbalanced the expense of making
the excessive excavations and removing the
rock, and that profit to the contractors would
have resulted.
This closed the tas.;p,opx 90. H. H.. - a..
court resumed the reading Of the record. IL is
expected that Mr.. Tyren, who was employed as
foreman In the tunnel, and who is on bis way
from Chicago, will be witness tomorrow