Evening star., 1934-11-11

crossing unQer Jne TdllTOdQ tracks OHCe
more. Now we are in the bed of the old
Tiber Creek, which runs approximately
north and south under the city. Portions
of this section of the main were con-
structed as early as 1871, although it
appears very modern all the way along.
Now, northwest, under Canal street
for three blocks, to a spot between and
c streets Thence, under the western
end of the Capitol Plaza to our first stop
at Arthur place and c street, and so into
Northwest Washington.
"ONE of our cloud Watchers or
safety men, had gone ahead to
this point, to halt traffic a moment for
us as we emerged awkwardly from the
manhole in the center of the street.
When there is party of inspectors in
the sewers, two men, called cloud
watchers or safety men, are always sent
along. 1t is their duty to go ahead from
manhole to manhole, keeping sharp
watch overhead at all times, for clouds
which denote a coming shower, or TO
watch for street fluShers. The water
level in the sewers rises rapidly in these
emergencies and the men underground
must be warned as quickly as possible
to prevent their being swept away and
drowned At the slightest indication
of rain, the sewers are vacated at once.
This first portion of our trip had
not been bad. 1t was fairly dry under
foot. We had been more than an hour
underground The strong sunlight, how
ever, and the ever-preSent sewergaS,
although only slightly noticeable SO far,
caused us to blink for some time after
we had come out.
after a short rest and a cigarette,
we once more were lowered into the
tunnel. The little cleatS in the brick
walls of the manhole entry do not pro-
vide very sure footing for booted feet
so rope was placed under our arms to
prevent slipping. Even so, the unusual
impedimenta of hip-bootS, non-sip
spurs and rubber-coat several sizes too
large almost ended the trip for your
recorder Luckily his fall was broken
by being partially caught, at least, in
the arms of our guide. All in all, how
ever, the incident is not pleasant to
remember.
1--WE now proceeded almost directly
under the fountains and mirror pool
at the north end of the Capitol Plaza,
to D and North Capitol streets, and
eight squares onward to L street north
west. At one point we were forced, de-
spite our non-Slip cleatS, to crawl a
considerable distance on our hands and
knees. The slime, formed by long,
dripping stalactites dependent from the
ceiling of the sewer, and the constant
washover from the quenet, made the
birm too slippery for upright travel.
The North Capitol street cars along
portion of this tunnel are but 10 feet
above the top of the sewer. They made
talking impossible for minutes at
time, and their vibrations caused the
whole main to tremble.
a RIGHT jog now of one block through
a spur connection, and We en-
tered the main which extends for four
more squares northeast under First
street, into Northeast Washington Here
We had left the birm; there was only
quenet We waded in waste up to our
knees in some spots.
Between and N under First street,
was the spot for the putting on of gas
masks. Here, some time past, a large
tarvia tank had sprung a leak and de-
posted the sticky fluid on the floor of
the tunnel. Although it is being slowly
cleaned out, we still had to wade through
. foot Of it for some distance. 1t has
created a gas too strong to be gone