The Washington critic., 1890-02-22
WHERE BRIDES CLIMB.
PEDESTRIAN CAPABILITIES OF THE
AMERICAN PEOPEE.

Popularity OF the Wa hingtou Monu-
ment-Nearly n Quarter Of IA Mil
lion Persons Have Visited It--Cus-
todian Mount and His Men.
When Congress, in burst of patriot
ism, aroused by the Centennial celebra-
ton of 1876, decided to go ahead aud
finish the Washington Monument, II
not only wiped out long standing ma
tional reproach, but II gave to Washing
ton new point Of attraction as unique
as the big domed Capitol itself. For
there is nothing in all the wide world
equal to the Monument. just as every
true American is bound to believe that
there is no building in all the earth that
can compare in majesty and impress
iveness with the big marble pile where
Congress grinds at the legislative mill.
1t is true that the Monument can no
longer boast that It is the tallest struc.
ure in the world. The Eiffel tower
exceeds IL in height, but that is only n
temporary affair, designed to show
the possibilities Of structural iron in the
hands of a clever engineer, and in a
few years it is to be torn down. The
Monument will remain for all time, and
will be as grand an attraction to future
generations as it is to the present.
Every visitor to Washington makes
1t point to visit the Monument and to
take q view of the glorious city lying at
its feet, and of the broken country that
lies all about it. Far off to the west, If
the day be clear, he can just see the
outlines Of the Blue Ridge, sixty or
seventy miles away, and nearer by he
can discern Sugar Loaf Mountain, forty
miles Off. Baltimore, which is about
the same distance away, is not to be
seen, however, owing to the rolling,
wooded country, which limits the
Northern horizon.
Colonel Ernst, the Commissioner Of
Public Buildings and Grounds, who has
charge of the Monument. says that
since it was opened, in 1888, $50 ,S35
persons have visited 1t up to the begin
ming of this month. This is an enor-
nous number, but the popularity of the
big shaft knows no wane, and every
day hundreds, If not thousands, of per-
sons 20 out to see it now and take a
ride in the elevator, just as they did
when 1t was trifle younger.
The two biggest days for the Monu
ment were the Inauguration of Presi-
dent Harrison and the conclave of
knights Templar here in October.
During the week of the latter over
! 10000 persons visited the Monument,
and at Inauguration time there were a
few more than this number. On one
day during the conclave the ele-
vator, running every twenty min
utes, carried up $50 persons,
while 1000 more, disappointed
in their hope of getting a seat, trudged
up all the S9S steps to the top. This is
journey that takes fair walker from
fifteen to eighteen minutes, but many
women and children consume hall
hour in the operation, and not few
weary before they reach the 800 fee
mark and come plodding down without
having reached the top.
If accurate statistics could be obtained
of the numbers of those who walk NJ
the stairs by preference and of thos,
who would not make the ascent cXcep
on the elevator, they would throw {
great light on the capabilities of the
American people as pedestrians
Colonel Ernst's figures show that las
month 1909 persons took the elevator
while 1926 walked up, but tn,
latter number, doubtless. include
great many who acted unde
a sort of compulsion as they woult
have had to wait long time for
seat. During the Knights Tempa
Conclaye the line of those waiting fol
a ride filled the space about the elevate
and wound twice around the monu
ment, and the people stood two hour
before they reached the elevator. Man'
who ride up walk down, as that is al
easy enough matter. taking about eleve
minutes.
The Monument is no longer the seen
of such vandalism as was common
few years ago. 81 think the newspaper
deserve much of the credit for this i'm
provement," said Captain John i
Mount, the custodian of the big shaft
"They called attention to the injur
that was being done the Monument b
those who Clipped of pieces of stone
or scribbled their names everywhere
and we have very little trouble on tha
score now. In the last three month
a man and boy have been arrested fo
these offenses, but, in the two month
previous, there was no arrest.
Nor are we much bothered wit
cranks. Last summer man got to th
top who talked in an apparently d,
mented way about committing suicid
by jumping from one of the Windows
but the fioorman quickly got hold {
him and hustled him down in the ell
vator. To tell the truth, it would tax
considerable twisting and squirmin
to get out of window up there, an
the floorman would discover an
would-b be suicide before he could max
the plunge"
A ride in the elevator appears to po
sess great attractions for the Youn
bridal couples, who are such feature
all of Washington's most public place
Perhaps they enjoy the process of beiu
packed so closely in the elevate
with some thirty-five other pc
sons that there is an opportr
nifty for that gentle pressure
the hands which is commonly affecte
by bride and groom, but which is n,
looked upon as good form when dor
in the sight of scoffers. In the ell
vator the crowding Of the sight-see
, affords 4 chance for this tender demo