Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-07-04
wAsHlNeToN's MARBLE SHAFT,


~ tu& Ft8tsWheAts
At the time the government decided
20 take hold and complete the Washing
ton monument which had siood for years
in an unfinished state. and when In tho
centennial year congress made an APP
preparation 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 Il 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 resting MACE rs 1t
required
In the outset. and upon the resumption
of the work, IL was decided not to carry
the monument To the height first con.
templated In the plans and IL was re
duced a 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 10
the feet taken of and make IL 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 10 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 il 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 10 compile
ton despite the fears and predictions OF
the timid and weak hearted. who were
on the watch TO see IL tumble IL 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 il are all cosnizant OF the state
/ ments made regarding its likelihood 10
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
4 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 II such
a thing had taken place il would be easy
TO detect. and manifest itself immedi-
ately in the working of the machinery
! especially In the movements of the ele-
vator car Ii would show as well IN the
walls ut 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 thu
monument Is guaranteed with conf
dence. as the custodian keeps in opera
ton thorough system of inspection
permitting no part of IL TO be neglected
OF course the elevator and stairway ars
the principal points TO be looked after
and when 1t is known that over 90. .00t
persons have travelled To the top of Tn,
monument since the ist oil last Septem
Der by the car and stairs. the Importance
of paying this attention TO insure TIN
safety of the people will be understood
, and appreciated
The work of the vandals has been al
most entirely discontinued Beyond iii,
, ambition of some people to have thei
names appear in high places and pencil
ing. the DETACHMENT of the monument b,
vandals has been suppressed. and th'
only dishgurements lately have beer
made by the penciling Of their names b.
visitors As soap and water readily re
) move the writing this is not considere.
serious enough an offense 10 warrant tn
prosecution of the offenders. Washing
i ton Post