The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-01
wE14INeToN,s MARBLE SHAFT.
Precautions Taken TO Complete tho Security
of thu Monument.

| Precautions IaSeA 10 COua pdcDo AAAo SSCuHAsy
of the Monument.
At the time the government decided
! to take hold and complete the Washing
| ton monument which had stood for years
| in an unfinished state, and when In the
centennial year congress made an ap-
/ proDriation for the work, the question
suggested to the minds Of engineers and
others was whether or not the founda-
ton was secure and safe for the super
structure. The many years that had
elapsed since the commencement of the
work, and those that had passed during
| which it had been left unprotected to
| face the storms, winds and changes of
| temperature, caused the opinion to exist
that the base of the shaft did not have
as strong and durable a resting place as it
required.
In the outset, and upon the resumption
of the work, it was decided not to carry
the monument to the height first con-
templated in the plans and it was re-
duced number Of feet. This change
was made in order that the weight the
foundation had been laid to carry would
be reduced in proportion according to
the feet taken off and makd it that much
more secure to support the remainder.
Competent and experienced engineers
made thorough examination and several
tests of the ground walls, extensive exca-
vations were opened up to permit the clos
est possible inspection, and report was
submitted to the effect that the founda-
ton was in prime condition, strong and
durable. But to make it doubly sure the
earth was removed from about the lower
walls for some distance, and every crack
in the foundation plugged and walls
braced by another wall composed of brok-
en- stone and cement.
The monument was carried to compile
ton despite the fears and predictions Of
the timid and weak hearted, who were
on the watch to see it tumble. 1t is not
known whether they are now on the look
out, but the shaft still stands and is likely
to for ages. The engineer in charge, the
custodian, and the subordinates employed
about it are all cognizant of the state
ments made regarding its likelihood to
get out of plumb. They style them the
dreams of old women, and scout the idea
of anything of that kind occurring.
Constant vigilance has been and is
still observed to note the slightest de-
preston or sinking Of any kind, and only
this week Capt. Mount informed Post
reporter that he had been unable to dis
cover at any point any indication that
would lead to the belief that the shaft
had sunk the smallest fraction since the
work done about the foundation. If such
a thing had taken place it would be easy
to detect, and manifest itself immedi-
ately in the working of the machinery,
especially in the movements of the eIe-
vator car. 1t would show as well in the
walls at the apex, and assures would be-
come visible. None of these evidences
have appeared, and the employees are
very confident that they will not.
The safety of everything about the
monument is guaranteed with conf
dence, as the custodian keeps in opera
ton a thorough system of inspection,
permitting no part of it to be neglected.
Of course the elevator and stairway are
the principal points to be looked after,
and when it is known that over $4,000
persons have travelled to the top of the
monument since the 1st of last Septem.
Der by the car and stairs, the importance
of paying this attention to insure the
safety of the people will be understood
and appreciated.
The work of the vandals has been al
most entirely discontinued. Beyond the
ambition of some people to have their
names appear in high places and pencil
ing, the defacemento of the monument by
vandals has been suppressed, and the
only disfgurements lately have been
made by the penciling of their names by
visitors. AS soap and water readily re-
move the writing, this is not considered
serious enough an offense to warrant the
prosecution of the offenders. Washing
ton Post.