Evening star., 1934-10-21

The foundation of the Monument is as
firm as could be possible, though there
is over 0,000 tons weight resting upon
it."
THE simple manner in which the
roof of the Monument was built was
revelation to the public" said the
reporter. do you know of any other
buildings with roof similarly con-
structed?"
Metal Tip Engraved.
mo. There may be some, but
don't know about them. The fact is
I didn't pay any attention to other
buildings. The Washington Monument
was enough for me to attend to, and
I had my own ideas as to how the
roof should be built I studied out
what seemed to be the simplest and
easiest method of constructing it and
gave instructions accordingly, and
there it is,' pointing up toward the
sky.
The aluminium tip which forms the
extreme point of the Monument was
taken to the Monument today by Col.
Casey and was by him screwed upon
the summit of the capstone. 1t had
been engraved with suitable inscrip-
tions. On one face was Chief En-
gineer and Architect, Thomas Lin
coin Casey, Colonel, Corps of Engi-
neers; Assistants, George w. Davis,
14th U S. Infantry; Bernard r. Green,
civil engineer; Master Mechanic Peter
F. Mclaughlin" On another: Cor
nerstone laid on bed Of foundation
July 4th, 1848; first stone at height
of 152 feet, laid August 7th, 1880. Cap
stone set December 9Th, 1894" On a
third: Joint Commission at setting of
capstone- Chester A. Arthur, w. w.
Corcoran, (chairman, M. z. Bell,
Edward Clark, John Newton, Act OF
August End, 1876" And on the last
face the words: "Laus Deo."
The provisions made to prevent the
shaft from being damaged by lightning
have attracted considerable attention.
The question has arisen whether the
lightning rod arrangement, connected
by a copper rod with the iron frame
work of the elevator, affords sufficient
protection. A Star reporter asked
Capt. Davis, the assistant engineer
officer in charge of the Monument, in
regard to the matter.
Fear of Lightning Secuted.
There need be no apprehension on
that score" was the reply. THE fact
is, the stone structure is in itself a
satisfactory lightning rod, and the
chances are that there will never be
any trouble If there were no other ar
rangement for carrying off electricity.
You know yourself that there are hun
dreds of church spires built Of stone
in Europe, and indeed in this country,
long before lightning rods were in
vented. I never yet knew of any
serious damage resulting to any one
of these stone spires from being struck
by lightning. The interior lightning
rod of the Monument, ending in the
aluminium tip, is, therefore, but a
superfuous precaution. To be sure,
it has never been tested, but there Is
no need of that. Aluminium Is the
best of the known metals for conduct
ing electricity and with the connection
complete to the earth, the Monument
is safe from lightning, although as I
say, it could probably take care OF
itself for that matter"
"As, the Monument was being con-
structed, were there any precautions
taken against lightning?" asked the
reporter.
"Oh yes" was the reply. THE iron
frame work which always extended
above the top and about which the
stones were set was always properly
connected with the earth, thereby act
ing as lightning rod"
when the work was resumed at the
height of $50 feet, wasn't it necessary
to remove some of the top stones be-
causc of their having been impaired
by lightning?" asked The Star.
"It was necessary to remove the
stones, as you say, and it may have
been for the reason you suggest, but
that is a question which cannot be
well determined. You know that q
large pine scaffolding for years pro-
iected above the old work. This was
several times struck by lightning and
it may be that the electricity injured
the top stones upon coming in contact
with them as it endeavored to secure