Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-09
WANT 1T MADE SAFE.
THE COMMITTEES TO CONSIDER THE
EIGHTH-STReET MATTER.
Propcrty-Owners Anxious that Prompt
Action he Taken to Prevent Caving
In over the Tunnel

The people residing along the line Of the
north end Of Eighth street are exceedingly
solicitous regarding what is going to be
done about the tunnel under that
thoroughfare.
On behalf Of the Richmond and Chesa-
peake Railroad Company it was said yes
terday by one of its officers that a gang OF
men were already at work in the excava-
ton getting things in order to push the
work 10 completion in accordance with the
decision arrived at by the stockholders OF
the road at their meeting Monday.
Yesterday morning lady who resides on
Eighth street north Of the point to which
the excavation has penetrated reported 10
Colonel Cutshaw that nearly year ago
the walls of her house became so badly
cracked as 10 necessitate expensive re-
pairs. When Colonel Cutshaw. was asked
by DISPATCH representative II he INTEND,
ed taking any steps In the matter ne SAID
he could not do SO until he had been in
structed.
THE COMMITTEES TO MEET.
The Committees on Streets and Finance
will meet in joint session at O'Clock this
evening TO consider the resolution intro
duced at the meeting of the Common Coun-
Gil Monday night by Mr.. Stratton and re-
ferred TO them, directing that the street
be put in safe and proper condition Will
ont delay, and that the City Attorney pro-
ceed against the Richmond and Chesapeake
Railroad Company.
This meeting was called by Vice-Chair-
man William II. Curtis, of the Street Com
mittee, in the absence from the city OF
Chairman James II. Capers. He was urged
so TO do by Sir. Stratton and some OF the
property-owners, who are anxious that the
matter be looked after at once and III q
proper manner.
Anent MIR. Strattons resolution, 1t may be
stated that in MAY, 1888. the Richmond and
Chesapeake railroad filed with the City
Treasurer a bond for 100000 to indemnify
the city for all Judgments that might he
recovered by property-owners tor damage :
accruing from the construction of the tun-
mel. That bond is Of record IN the Clerk
Office of the Chancery Court and IL signed
by Messrs. Charles +. Belvin, James A.
Simmons, and Preston Belvin.
THE REAL SITUATION.
A calculation by experts. based on the
width of the tunnel and the depth from
tho street level TO the bottom OF the exca-
walton. shows that if the tunnel should
cave In and the lateral walls of earth keep
sliding until tho angle of trictional resist
ance had been reached, the top OF the
angle would probably reach the, front
walls or extend few feet beyond
the foundations of the houses along
the limo OF the street. such a
mishap is not probable, but. II
is possible, and the longer the work Of
bracing the tunnel thoroughly Is deferred
the greater the danger Of its occurring.
| While 1t should not be asserted that in the
event of a drop from the street level rapid
slides would be likely, owing to the
treacherous geological conditions here,
too many safeguards cannot be taken,
either IN respect Of the present situation
or further prosecution of the work. In
digging a hole IN the ground in Richmond
there is no telling what is gong TO be en-
countered until the difficulty Is gotten to.
MIGHT BE DONE WITH SAFETY.
Regarding tunnelling Shockoe Hill, some
wears ago such work was mapped out on
q line thousand feet shorter than the
line of the Eighth-street tunnel. The short
line, however. was projected under private
property, and the recent experience IN the
construction Of the new electric railroad
tunnel in London shows that 1t could Toe
built without the least danger Of the earth
settling. The work. however, would H.
yolve tremendous expense.
The franchise OF the Richmond and
Chesapeake railroad to build tho tunnel
mas eXpNeu, OF sOoH WIZ eAPIio' aiiN -
will be remembered that President Reed.
of the road, when IN the city Monday snid
that work III the tunnel now would be pre-
paratory to pushing the excavation
through when an extension OF time was
granted by the Council.
The developments before the meeting OF
the two committees this evening will there
fore be watched with interest.
Mayor Ellyson will probably have a con-
ference with Colonel Outshaw this morn
ing about the condition of the street and
what steps should be taken. The two of
fcials we're to have inspected the tho
roughfare yesterday afternoon, but the rain
;nterfeTed.