Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-09-04
MASONRY IS DEFECTIVE
Pedestal on Which Genius Stands
 Must Come Down

PedeStal on Which Genius Stands
 Must Come Down.
 William Angus, the contractor, with George Calder, yesterday, says the Hartford Courant. ascended the stag. ing which surrounds the figure on the dome of the capitol for the purpose of making plans for taking the big statue down. A reporter who went with them found both MT Angus and MT Calder good climbers, though neither is generally considered a young man. MT Angus designated a point on the south side of the dome where the gild- ing begins as the place where the work of erecting the heavy staging would have to start. There are two marble statues about nine and one-half feet high at this point which will be en- cased in lumber before any other work is done, as otherwise they might be injured by some of the timbers which will be hauled above them. Here, too. MT Angus pointed out the fact that some of the cases which protect the wires used in lighting the dome have already been broken. and said that the lights would be taken off until the work was finished some time next year.
 Up to the little platform at the top Of the dome the ascent is easy, but at that point where the temporary stag ing begins, the grade is about 5,2S0 feet to the mile. The ascent for the matter of seventy odd feet is made by means of ladders standing upright. MT Angus said that they were strong and that they were securely fastened. AS he began to go uptone of them his companions took his word for it. Sew eral landings are formed on the stag ing surrounding the figure and it's base, the ladders reaching from one to the other. The spire of stone upon which the figure rests is in good con d1t1on up to a point within about twen- ty feet of the base of the statue. Then the edges of the cut stone are clipped, while the mortar which joins them seems loose. AS the sta tue is neared the defects become more and more ap- parent, several of the stones in the up- per courses being cracked. AS a mat ter of course, the stone on which the figure rests is in worse condition than any under it, it being evident that the force Of the wind upon the statue has racked the base more than was at first thought.
 The figure is in much better condi- ton than the stonework upon which it rests, and a careful inspection is need ed to find any defect Tn a fold of the garment on the left side there is a fissure about two and one-half inches long and perhaps one-quarter of an inch wide and another of about the same size may be found near where the right wing is joined to the figure. These in no way affect the durability of the figure and can be- easily re- paired. The two flaws found were probably formed by the action of wa ter freezing where it had collected, bursting the bronze sheathing. which held it.
 Aside from these two flaws the fig ure is apparently in as good condition as it was when first mounted on it's lofty perch. That the base upon which 1t stands is capable of improvement was shown by the fact that by means of the leverage formed by the arm of the figure. one can shake not only the figure but the .scaffolding which sur rounls it. MT. Calder at first thought that the vibration might be of the oScAEOAA O11AJ, CllIQ Ill Ol0tI UO UG SuIc l he seated himself on the head of the figure while MT. Angus grasped wing Both Mir. Angus and Mr. Calder were then convinced that the figure swayed while the third member was more than convinced of the fact
 MT Angus said that probably twenty feet of the base will have to be re moved and rebuilt before the figure can be reset. The work of building the heavy scaffold will begin as soon as 1 5000 feet was used in the temporary l the lumber can be secured About 1 work which now surrounds the figure and more than 100000 feet will be used in the work which must now be done. AS soon the base for it is con. structed, derrick will be put in DO sltiOn, rope fastened to the figure and 1t will then be lifted from its l pedestal and lowered to the roof where the experts may examine it while the work of rebuilding the base is carried on. The contractor considers it neces sary to lower the figure to the roof as soon as possible. but we vii not at tempt to carry the work further this 1 winter.