Evening star., 1901-07-11
M M0NU MENT tiF T
New Elevator May Commence
Operating Monday.
GREAT IMPROVEMENT EFFECTED
Time in Transit From Bottom to
Top Reduced One Half.
ELECTRIC POWER USED

The Washington monument is now
equipped with the best and most modern
. elevator and machinery that has ever been
devised. Everything is in perfect running
order, and 1t is the Intention Of Col. Theo-
dore A. Bingham, superintendent of public
buildings and grounds. to start the new
elevator for the use of the public next Mon
day. although slight delay may be caused
III closing up the business end of the con-
tracts.
The new equipment is unique in many
ways. 1t is the longest single lift Of any
elevator in the world. and the plant that
operates it is the very best that has ever
been installed for elevator service.
Congress placed the sum Of 900 at the
disposal of Col Bingham for the improve
ment and the work of installing the new
lifting machinery has been in progress
since December 13. The handsome new
brass-trimmed will make the running
time between the ground and the lookout
windows, 800 feet above. just five minutes,
whereas the old elevator used to groan ter
riby to make the trip in ten minutes
Although there would be 800 feet to drop,
in case of an accident tourists who first
visit the little stone engine house, located
500 feet back of the monument, will have
no hestancy in taking the ride. Running
with less noise than a sewing machine.
there stands in the new room which has
Deel duueu To tHe engine mouse an eighty
horse power American Ball duplex COM
pound engine, with electric generator
attached, the armature of which is turned
by the same shaft the fly wheel Of the
engine.
OF particular qualification to the passen-
ger he gets near the top Of the shaft
is to be told of the safety clutch which is
always waiting to grasp with vice-like
grip the steel rails on either side of the
car. These grips work automatically but
their operation is also under the perfect
control of the elevator conductor. At the
motor there is a device which promptly
brings the car to a stop when the top is
reached thus preventing any possibility Of
accident by the failure of the conductor to
shut off the current in the car.
But thirty people will be carried in the
new car. although it is eighteen inches
wider than the old. The number of daily
trips made will depend on the demand for
lifts by the public.
Two heavily insulated wires have taken
the place of the noisy, leaky and hot steam
pipes, through the 800 feet Of conduit to
the little basement room at the monu-
ment.
Here again is a revelation The old
steam engine that was has given place to
simple-looking motor. The power in the
wires is here transformed to motion, which
is perfectly controlled by a simple little
lever in the elevator car, or at the SWITCH
board.
Advantages offered.
There Is more power, more speed, less
noise. less heat and the elevator is run
with half the fuel Of the old plant. 1t
takes 400 pounds of coal a day and one
boiler to run the new machinery while
two boilers and double the fuel We're for
merly required. The only parts of the old
plant that remain the boilers and
hosting cable for the elevator car.
Number of Visitors Daily.
There are 500 visitors at the monument
every day, and on an average about $50 Of
these energetic and walk up the stairs.
1t is a curious fact that although about
the same number Of people have visited
the monument since the repairs have been
in progress before, the average Of $50
who have climbed the stairs daily has re-
manned the same.
The exterior appearances around the
monument have not been changed by the
improvements. The parking around the
engine house is to be improved and the
whole inclosed by an iron fence. One of
the interesting features of the new plant,
however. Is what is known as the switch
board. Manufacturers of electrical ma
chnery make the switchboard the decora-
tive feature Of the plant This appliance
In the monument engine house Is most
unique. 1t Is made Of polished marble and
mounted on three miniature monuments,
also in polished marble, and fashioned like
the Washington monument.
Over the whole Is an elaborate brass sign
plate. giving the name Of the makers and
also the information that the plant was
installed under the direction Of Col. Bing
ham.
No changes have been made In the per-
sonnel Of the monument employees. and no
additional help is made necessary by the
change. Engineer F. NJ. Stromberger has
charge of all the machinery.