Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-04


Scandal.
"NrcH Has BEEN MADE OF VERY LrrILE"-NAJoR
LYDEckER IS CAPABLE, EFFICIENT. ENERGETIC,
yiGILANr, HARD-woRKIse, BADLY-TkRArED oFFI-
CIR.
The Baltimore San this morning contains the
following statement 'from one OF the most promi-
nent members OF the Engineer Corps:"
There has been a great deal said about the
Washington aQucduct; so much, indeed. that the
matter has assumed much greater Importance
than the extent OF the bad WORKMANSHIP. IL
seems TO be the purpose 70 make great scandal
OF IT, This can easily be done until the other side
is heard. Major Lydeckers report on his present
investigation will be convincing, and am sure It
viii show that 1ad Workmanship has not re-
NAMED undiscovered for any length OF time.
The statement that he avoids the tunnel is
false. Before the present investigation was
thought OF Major Lydecker discovered some
ave or six hundred feet OF bad work. He ordered
IL De torn out at once. This discovery resulted
In the discharge of several men, aud they after
ward brought the charges which occasioned the
decker in letter sent to-day TO tue appropriation
committee, stats that the bad WORK can be re-
placed with good work for about 5000 He would
have discovered IL In time Without the aid OF the
d charged employees. and promptly required the
contractor 70 tear out and build up again. / do
not think he Will allow the contractors 10 do the
work over again. He has $4,000 or the contrac-
tors money, and VIII use IL In going over the bad
work, and bringing II up to the standard required
"There is another point now to be considered.
Unless congress comes TO the rescue work on the
tunnel will D. suspended In November next. The
appropriation Tor the completion of the work
lap5es on that date. II Congress does not extend
the appropriation the tunnel cannot De mainIa Aimed
and VIII soon MI with water. In that event, the
CONGRESSIONAL committee when II begins It's inves-
ugation, VIII md nothing but an Underground
river. Then MAI Lydecker Will come In for more
abuse.
Never were two man ,,ora rn,,s,, .a.,.
tnan these. Both have given the tunnel their
eal nest attention. Major Lydecker has been con-
SANITY on Tue ground and frequently in the tunnel
"hiie Lieut. townsend has lived In the tunnel
anu, as Consequence, is In very bad health These
TWO Omcers and the corps OF engineers, with the
exception OF Capt. Hoxie, condemn tue plan OF the
tunnel They are In no way Responsible for it.
Congress was prevailed upon to adopt the plan In
lace OF the objections OF the engineers The officers
10 charge OF the work, while they do not ap.
prove the plan, are doing all they can TO
remedy It's detects The contractors have n
large share in the scandal, which has grown
70 national proportions. They secured the proviso
Attached 10 the appropriation OF $3.50 900 that the
work De completed by November l. Inis was done
SO that there would be no time for advertising and
they, Oelns on the ground with their plant, would
naturally TAIL into the contract. They are now
gettinS up claims amounting 70 many thousands
nave pQt IA Claim for delays, and one for extra
compensation for six inches ming along the entire
length Oh the tunnel This Increase in the circun-
terence OF the lining resulted from their
failure to cut the drifts according TO the
exact dimensions given In the contract.
so far as Major Lydecker being in sympathy
with the contractors, know he Is quite the re-
verse. He Will hold them TO their contract, and
Will exact the forfeit stpula ell in the OF bad
WORK. The attempt 10 besmearch the maine or
Major Lydecker'S father Is totally uncalled for.
AE. Lydecker had nothing whatever TO DO Win the
award OF the contract Major Lydecker himself
could not make the award. Sucn matters come
within the province OF the Chief OF Engineers and
his a ZION requires the approval OF the secretary
OF War.
IL think when all the truth Is known IL will be
found that much has been made OF very little, and
after AL, that Major Lydecker has not been eL-
tireiy Negligent In the discharge OF mis- duties"