Evening star., 1934-02-23
GROUP WILL STUDY
|PLANS TO REPAIR
CRUMbL|NG SHAFT
National Monument Society
Acts to Preserve WASH
ington Memorial.
$780, 900 P. w. A. FUND
AVAILABLE FOR WORK
Anxiety Spurs Fine Arts Com.
mission to Set Hearing
for Next Meeting.

Disturbed over the condition of the
lower section of the Washington
Monument, the surface marble Of
which has been crumbling and crack
ing for several years, the Washing
ton National Monument Society at its
annual meeting yesterday appointed
committee to consult and advise
with the Office of National Parks,
Buildings and Reservations on meas
ures to prevent further deterioration.
A public works allotment of $780,
600 is now available for necessary re-
pairs to the Washington Monument
The anxiety of the group, however,
prompted the Fine Arts Commission
today to schedule consideration of
plans for the repair work at its next
meeting on March 8. j. L. Nagle, en-
gineer for National Parks, Buildings
and Reservations, mas been making a
study of these conditions and will sub
NIT report. at the request Of the
Fine Arts Commission. at the forth
coming meeting on the kind Of work
necessary to place the lower base in
good condition.
The attention Of the society to the
present unsightly condition Of the first
$50 feet of the shaft, comprising the
original section of the Monument,
was directed by Justice Willis Van
Devanter Of the United States Su-
preme Court, who presided over the
meeting in his capacity as first vice
president. He expressed concern that
the crumbling or faulty condition of
the original marble might grow worse
unless checked
As a result of the discussion, Justice
Van Devanter appointed committee
composed Of Col. U. S. Grand, Sd,
former director Of public buildings
and public parks: Frederic A. Delano.
chairman of the National Capital
Park and Planning Commission, and
George E. Hamilton, dean of the
Georgetown University School Of Law
and member of the District Bar. to
confer with the once of National
Parks. Buildings and Reservations,
Conference Suggested.
At the outset Of the annual meet
ing, which is always held on George
Washington's birthday anniversary,
Justice Van Devanter suggested that
such committee be appointed to
confer with Federal officials and con-
gressional committees on the present
condition of the Washington Monu-
ment. which the society was organized
in 1888 to erect. He suggested that
the committee first determine what is
causing the corroding OF the outer
surface and then see that necessary
steps are taken to correct this con-
dition.
He pointed out that the appearance
Of the shaft is not alone involved.
Inquiries should be made. he suggest
ed, to determine if the cracking is due
to possible failure of the quality Of
the marble used in the early construc-
ton of the Monument.
Justice Van Devanter called atten-
ton to the activities of the society
which resulted in an appropriation
being made to provide new and
modern elevator. Col Grant said that
the new elevator has resulted in dou-
bling the number of visitors carried
to the top of the Washington Monu-
ment, condition which the chairman
said was very desirable.
AS former director of public build
ings and public parks, Col. Grant ex-
planned that the commission had en-
deavored for three years to secure
from Congress an appropriation of
about 100000 to recondition the lower
section of the shaft. The outside
marble is now in very bad condition.
he said, although there is no danger
of the shaft falling down. The mate
rial used in building the lower part Of
the shaft was not so good as that in
the upper part, he admitted.
Cracking Along Joints.
The exterior marble is falling and
cracking along the masonry joints. he
said. with a result that many leaks
have sprung. Experts have differed
as to the causes, he explained, but
added that it was the view of his
Office at the time that it was caused
partly by the pressure from above.
1t was the belief, he suggested, that
the joints should be cut back beyond
waterproofed. That would be better,
he reminded. than merely plastering
over the deteriorated surface.
William R. Harr, secretary, reported
that when he had visited the Wash
ington Monument earlier in the day
to leave the memorial wreath on be-
half OF the society, in accordance with
its annual custom, he was very much
impressed at the "disreputable ap-
pearance" of the shaft. He said the
society would perform public service
by having the condition corrected
The lower section, he said, seems to be
plastered with cement and the whole
appearance is that of a neglected
monument.
Resolutions were adopted at the
meeting expressing profound regret
over the death of one of its members
and the resignation of another. Maj.
Gen. William M. Black, U. S. A., re-
tired. died September Is, 1888, since
the last meeting. He was one Of the
most distinguished officers and engi-
neers Of the Army, and at one time
had served as Engineer Commissioner
in the District. A copy of the reso-
luton will be transmitted to his widow.
Rear Admiral Willard H. Brownson,
U. S. NJ. retired. has resigned because
Of falling health. He Is SO years old.
Dates Of Membership.
Gen. Black had been elected to
membership in the society on Feb
ruary %, 1919, and Admiral Brown
son on February %. 1923.
It being customary to have the
Army and Navy represented by at
least two members in the society, Mai.
Gen. Omar Bundy. U. S. A.. retired,
was elected a member to fill the va
cancy caused by the death Of Gen.
Black. A former commander of the
I'd Regular Division in France during
critical period Of the World War, he
has just taken up residence in WASH
ington.
Rear Admiral Walter R. Gherardi,
chief Of the Hydrogrsphic Bureau Of