Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
FREEDOM IS PR|NKING UP|
NEW EASTER BONNET TO
ADORN CAPITOL STATUE.
Men Working on Her Headdress to
Find Out How Often Light
ming Has Hit Her.

nlUX HAS I'LL 11CA.
No. Freedom who peers eternally east
ward from the Capitol dome, was not
getting her hair marcelled yesterday
nor was she having her fingernalis hiaiii-
cured
1t is a near-truth to say she was get
ting a new winter bonnet.
Persons who saw human activity AROUND
the feet of the gigantic statue yesterday
morning declared she had need OF chi
ropodist. The statement was pronounced
far from the truth by Elliott WOODS
superintendent of the Capitol
The work was only preliminary to an
examination of her headgear, with view
to renovating the millinery.
Bonnet Is Five Years Old.
1t has been five years since the goddess
cap has been retrimmed-a shabby Don
net, worn five casters! Supt WOODS
however. is determined to deck her III
the height of fashion. To that emo was
Yesterdays inspection of Miss Freedom.
The goddess new headdress ought 70
be the real thing. if money talks run.
fully. 1t will cost probably a couple ol
hundred dollars or more. NO oIoi''"iS
plumes shall deck the fair creature.
While it may be known to only Few.
the headdress on the figure that sur
mounts the Capitol dome contains the
costliest OF metals-gold and platinum.
There are eighteen plumes in the bonnet,
each having a platinum point placed IN
a gold setting.
These platinum points are piaceu on
the head of the figure on the dome 10
protect the Capitol from lightning. For
years they have afforded protecuon TO
the historic pile On Capitol Hill.
Jove Vents Vain Spleen.
But the platinum points are frequently
struck by lightning Every time Jove
directs a bolt at invulnerable Freedom
zone of the platinum points is fused.' Only
that harm is done, and Freedom survives.
AS the bolts come at the rate of two or
three a year. it is necessary to supply
new points periodically. 1t has been hve
years since new points were installed.
Supt. Woods has decided it is time the
matter was again looked into.
1t is a task for Carl Bajour of st. Louis,
crack steeplejack and lightning-rod in
staller to mount the 3O7 feet from the
ground to the crown of Freedoms head.
When the points were replaced five
years ago an employe in the eff1ce or
the superintendent of the Capitol did
the job Mr.. Bajour has been at work
recently on top of the tall chimneys at
the Capitol power plant. putting up light
ming protectors. So he was retained to
do this job.
ders and ropes ready for the trip to the
headgear was about completed yester-
day. 1t is expected that the steeplejack
will get to the lady's ear tomorrow and
consult her about her opinion on styles.
He also will determine what damage to
done
by the caresses Of the weather.
What Was to Be Seen.
Those who passed through the Capitol
grounds yesterday saw man crawling
through the uppermost window to what
appeared to be a narrow ledge outside,
followed almost Immediately by sec
ond man with a long scaling ladder in his
hand. After passing out one ladder he
brought forward another.
The two men were soon seen scaling
the perilous ledge at the foot of the fig
ure. One of them was Bajour.
Soon the second ladder was drawn up
and placed alongside the figure and
bound In place with straps, SO that the
men could reach the head of the statue.
Each new tip of platinum, with it's gold
setting costs about 500. Therefore the
cost Of the new headgear will be large II
many new tips are necessary
The platinum points on the headSear OF
Freedom and the steel construction work
in the Capitol dome, It is declared by
Supt Woods, afford protection against
lightning for radius of TOO or 500 feet
around the Capitol-it is huge lightning
rod for that section
Although the statue has been struck
many times, no damage 10 the Iapltol
has resulted.
Two senators were watching the opera
tons of Bajour on the bronze figure on
the dome yesterday.
Il understand the hand is eleven inches
long," said one.
us that so?" replied the other.
Yes, for you see, then, if it were an
inch longer it would be a foot