Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-02-13

Hin monumental f0Al0o Oh 008-
land are legion. There are
many In London. but three Of
these are of transcendent his
torical interest. viz. the Tower.
Westminster abbey and Westminster
hall. When buildings have existed for
centuries, the natural feeling Is to take
1t for granted that they will live on for
centuries more. But this easy-going
faith has little foundation in fact, as
all who have the care Of ancient mon
uments know only too we'll Old build
ings require constant attention and
frequent reparation; but time comes
when something more IL required, and
We often hear with dismay OF the fall
uro of foundations In various parts OF
the country. Fortunately, owing to the
remarkable progress of practical sci
snce, experts are ready to undertake
the renewal of the strength Of these
foundations, II thier aid ia not called
ipon too late
Great Timber Roof
The thought of any danger to the
wondrous building known to us as
Westminster hall, which was oroginal-
Y added to the palace of Westminster
nv William Rufus, is a severe shock TO
Ill who have seen it's beauty and know
ts remarkable history, 1t Is an add
ny record of most of the great events
Of history preserved in stone. Here
It Ia not the foundations that are at
fault The walls Of Rufus hall we're
Ill lot ND u
sound, although the paving of the hall
was placed on Thames mud. 1t is the
grand timber roof. raised by Richard
H.. that is decayed in parts, and
urgently needs repair. The roof has
been partially repaired at various
times during it's centuries Of existence
and 1t has always been carefully IN
spected. Lately fears respecting its
condition have been aroused, and the
office of works has published valu
! able report on the present condition
I of the structure. So far, this Is as Il
e should be. The evil being recognized
3 In time, we may be sure that proper
e means will be taken to place this no
BILE structure in safety for many years
l. to come The glorious hammer roof
Il IL recognized as the finest example o
q the Gothic open timber roof In exist
ence, and for this reason alone 1T
l; preservation is a duty of the most re
n, sponsible character. In the construc
!; ton Of this roof Irish oak (said to b
d, sbhorrent to the SPIDER was used. an
!; the workmen employed in inspection
a. affirm that they have never seen
O. spider among the rafters. Tom Fulle
Il. refers to Its "cobwebless beams" TIL
a. causes Of decay are: Q) The work G
the beetle Tor. rather, the larva OF tn
6 beetle or worm. which attacks tn
7: wood; "only where the timber he
n been honeycombed was there any d.
". oided sign of decay" showing holes o
2. the face Of the beam. (2) Dry TO
n .found chiefly where the timbers hAv
h been subjected to dampness II hs
=, attacked the wall posts, particular
those at the northern end of the hAl
where they are embedded In the wa
and packed round with soft rubbl
This danger was apparently forese<
By the skilled carpenters who erects
"a ne room. for originally a space vi
l0Q 00NW66u Iuc wall pOoIo anu u
M van to admit the free passage Of All
an Much Of the timber has become Of
ia rich golden brown, the result Of d
he cay, but this is only on the outsid
and most Of the timber 10 hard .,
sound The principal raftsrs ha
Ken extensively repaired at differs
he timss. and at one period the truss
he were all systematically strenStheD
in b. . series Of wrought-iron tie roo
in II 10 supposed that the larger porti'