Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-17

t,El is taken TO keep 1t in
~ HUI good condition and
xt&Assk proper repair.
XIX E1EfLZ This was very forci-
bly, impressed on a
representative Of The
Star. who dropped in on Custodian Haw-
kins Of the Washington monument a few
days ago. and learned many interesting
facts in regard to the precautions taken by
the government against the possible effects
which the weather might have toward mov-
ing the worlds greatest risk and phenom-
enon of engineering from its foundation.
Although for ten years. reckoning only
from the time when the capstone was
placed upon the monument its 81. 10 tons
resting on a foundation only 126 1-2 feet
square and thirty-eight feet deep from a
height almost fifteen times that NUMBER.
resting on the sandy bank Of the river. with
a pressure OF five tons per square foot, the
monument has only settled a small fraction
Of an inch in one corner
Continuous Swnying.
But, as far the obelisk itself is con-
cerned, 1t seems that it is undergoing a
continual bending, first to one side and then
to the other, according to the direction or
velocity of the wind. There is a vertical
variation from the plummet line" said Mr..
Hawkins, whenever the wind is blowing
Today We have slight breeze from the
southwest, and the extreme point has
moved from its normal position, perhaps
few hundredths of an inch, toward the
northeast But upon the instant OF the
WINDS changing the position will be differ
ent, and II there should suddenly be calm
the elasticity OF the stone would throw the
structure directly into its normal resting
place In Il very heavy gale sometimes
We nave noted as much as a quarter of an
inch deviation from the plumb but this has
no eject upon the stone, which always
goes back TO it's proper position
Measuring the slightest Movement.
Although it is strictly against the rules
of the monument to put ones nose into
anything behind closed doors, the writer
was shown the secret workings of the de-
vices used for testing the various turns
which the edifice makes in the face of the
wind Behind the elevator, in a small
Closet. tunneled out Of the stone, whose
dampness and darkness. until the electric
Asht was turned on, might set ones teeth
chattering, at the resemblance il bore to
the sepulchers of the pyramids, is very
srnpl continuance which shows every
sway! or the great granite pile in any
directi n
AL copper wire. which has been
stretched and Strengthened 10 it's utmost
protected by a tin pipe, hangs from the eX-
IRENE top of the shaft, and suSpends a
heavy plummet, which hangs in a vessel of
oil Two small transits are placed at right
q
ana 70 the wire, vertically, are focused on
the wire, and magnify il so that the hair
lines on the lenses coincide with it on
either side when in normal position. b.
. scale inside the deyiations from the nor
NAL are reckOned to the thousandth of an
inch in any direction. report of these
observations is submitted To the War De-
partnent daily by Mr. Hawkins. and there
record has been kept of every twitch and
uemble the monument has made since it's
opening.
Examining the Foundation
In addition TO the condition of the obelisk
itself. inspection is made of the elevation of
the foundation, but it seems that no change
Is looked for by the authorities who only
examine it annually, unless natures ele-
ments are remarkably irregular: as. for in
stance, in the case of a severe assault from
the clouds or a freshet in the mall.
These observations are made with the
ieVeI and rod, from a bench stone which
may be seen by lifting ''sewer-trap lid"
nifty or seventy-fve feet away on the south
front This Is compared with the elevation
or an iron sill. which is placed Just under
the cement paving around the base.
Work of VandnIs.
Although much time and money are spent
m observing the irresistible effects of ma
lures elements upon the outside of the
monument. there are other destructive ele-
ments on the inside, which must be watch
ed to much closer degree. Here the fire.
Quent acts of vandalism appear to give the
authorities the most anxiety for the endur-
ance OF the structure, and IL really stands
TO reason that monument will be hoI-
lowed TO shell, unless the ruinous meth
DDS of the relic seeker are suppressed
IN some way. But, as the conductor of
the elevator explained. it would require
q Waterman patrOlling every landing of
the stairway to keep these GeStroyers from
their antics. Every one of the one hun
dred and seven ty-nine memorial stones
which Is in any way delicate has been
badly defaced- In one place there is a
bas relief of the father OF his country
minus nose. locomotive is chiseled out
OF another stone, but not spoke from the
delicate wheels or protruding corner
which could be defaced is left. But the
loss. which appeals most to Mr.. Hawkins
wrath while making mention of these
things, was the marring of the Nevada
stone. From this every one of the letters.
made of Senator Stewards brightest silver
except one, was dug out in three hours
and carried away.
Free From Accidents
On being asked about the casualties
which have occurred Of late Mr.. Hawkins
very proudly stated that no person has
received a scratch since the opening cere-
monies. nine years ago. The elevator, the
same which was used for lifting all Of the
heavy blocks of stone. is equipped with
an automatic housekeeping brake" which
Is tested every day, and has never refused
The stairways. although subjected to
aryelous vibration, show no signs of
weakening
Are You troubled much with the crank
element? Mr. Hawkins was asked.
Very few have bothered me-" he said
THE only crank whom ] can remember
Just now came over here only a few DAYS
ago. He was a strange, Wild-eyed looking
fellow, whose Impotence to go up to the
top attracted our suspicion, for we keep
an open eye for all such fellows. Carving
an ordinary preserve jar under his arm
he went up in the elevator to the ton
Harding, when he proceeded TO sow some
gray stuff out Of the different windows
When asked by one Of the watchmen what
he about he said his wife had lust
died and to be sure that he was rid of
her he had had her crematei and was
trying to scatter what was left of her in
as many directions as possible. He was
much affrOnted at the resistance he
received from men that he went over
u Col. Wilson's office in the War Depart
ment to get permission from him to finish
planting his wife,
Mr.. Hawkins has no fear that the monu-
menJ will not stand as straight in hundreds
of years as we See II now. He quoted the
authority of eminent engineer. who
visited him not long ago. and who. after