Evening star., 1915-11-23
UNCEAS|NG WATCH
TO GUARD TUNNEL
Desired to Prevent Use of Ex-
pIosives on Washington
Terminal Property.
OFFICERS WILL REMAIN
OFFICERS WILL REMAIN
ON DUTY Indefinitely
Extra Precautions Also Taken in
Baltimore to Protect Rail.
way Holdings.

1t is the intention of the officials of
the Washington Terminal Company to
keep an unceasing watch on the big
tunnel. bridges and viaducts of the
company to prevent the possibility of
damage by explosives. Sunday morn
ing when A. NJ Keppel. general super
intendent of the company, decided to
strengthen his force, it is stated, no
time was lost getting the members of
the company's police force together.
and soon the additional men were ready
for duty.
The extra guards it IS stated, went
on duty at o'clock Sunday afternoon,
and in all probability will remain there
! indefinitely. w. f. Viett, chief of the
terminal police, was at his home in
Rockville. Md. when he learned of the
necessity for quick action.
Instead of waiting for a train, it is
stated. Chief Viett hurried to Union
station in an automobile and quickly
took the necessary steps for locating
his men where they could best pre-
vent damage being done with eX-
plosives.
Men who were put on duty in the tun-
mel failed to find anything that ap-
peared to be suspicious. No trace of
an explosive of any kind has been
found. and, it is stated. Supt. Keppel
really does not believe there is danger
that an attempt will be made to de-
stroy the tunnel or other part of the
company's property.
Cause for the Action.
What SllppaSted tho eytra precaution
ary measure. he said. was a report
about the possibility of explosives be-
ing used on the bridge of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Company at Trenton,
n. J.
Scenes of unusual activity displayed
by members of the uniformed force of
police in the employ of the Washington
Terminal Company, and the disappear
ance of the police from the concourse
and station proper for duty elsewhere,
leaving the work in the station in
charge of the city police, started many
rumors. They were quickly disposed
of by the statement of Supt. Keppel.
No request was made of Maj. Pullman
to increase his force in the big build
ing, however, and three policemen in
plain clothes were practically the only
officers there.
Never before has the Washington
explosive to damage the company's
property. 1t is realized that an ex-
plosion in the tunnel probably would
serve to delay traffic between the north
and south, and might interfere with
the street railway tracks on 1st street
northeast.
The tunnel passes only a short dis
tance from the front line of the Library
of Congress and the House and Senate
office buildings and near many dwell
ings in the northeast and southeas st
sections. Several years ago an Italian
was arrested for trying to derail a
train near the mouth of the tunnel
and was sentenced to term in prison.
Precautions in Baltimore.
In Baltimore extra precautions have
been taken to guard the property of
the railroads, especially at Locust Point,
where the shipping interests of the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad Company, it
is believed, need protection from per-
sons who would like to destroy war
material. Railroad officials say they
have heard of no plots. They put on
an extra force of eighteen men merely
as a precautionary measure t.ecause of
the general situation throughout the
country.