Montgomery C. Meigs played a critical role in building a number of well-known landmarks in D.C. To ensure his credit would be preserved in history, Meigs was notorious for seizing opportunities to get his name inscribed on any items related to these monumental projects that he could.
Previously documented instances of Meigs' name include stone tablets at Union Arch Bridge across Cabin John Creek, vault stair risers at the Washington Aqueduct and McClellan Gate at Arlington National Cemetery.
Meigs also sought to leave a lasting impression on his work at the U.S. Capitol. Bill Allen's History of the United States Capitol describes Meigs arriving at the Senate's east portico "with a stack of [inscribed] copper plates… [slipping] one… under a marble block just as workmen lowered it into place."
His hope was that the engraving would be legible for centuries and, if the Capitol were to ever become an archeological site, those who came across the plates would know exactly who built that area.
While these plates remain hidden, another permanent signature from Meigs was discovered during the current Dome Restoration.
In an area of the Capitol's Dome that has not been restored since its original construction, Tom Nowell, inspector for the Architect of the Capitol, observed that the words "MC MEIGS" and "DOME" were stamped on the structural hardware.
We may never be able to confirm whether or not Meigs left his name on additional areas of the Capitol, but this recent find is a fascinating piece of Capitol history and Meigs' moniker tradition.
Police were called to a report of a domestic incident in Wythenshawe, Manchester, at about 12.05am on Sunday and discovered the body of the youngster when they entered the property.
Officers also learned that a man and a woman had left the address in Beaford Road to go to hospital.
The woman is being treated for serious injuries in hospital while the man is being questioned in custody.
The victim has not yet been formally identified and a post-mortem examination will take place later.
Superintendent Denise Worth, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "I know the community will be horrified and saddened to hear this tragic news this morning, and our thoughts at this time are with the family, friends and all others within the local community who may be affected by this incident.
"I want to offer my assurances that we have launched a full murder investigation and have a team of detectives working to establish exactly what led to this young boy's death.
"Although we have made an arrest, the investigation is at the early stages and I would urge people not to speculate on this deeply-distressing incident.
"There will be a scene at the property whilst officers investigate and you will see more police in the area in the coming days.
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 2239, 101 quoting incident number 14 of 27 August 2017, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
BusinessWeek recently asked two experts -- a college professor and a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute -- about whether laws should be passed to protect consumers from sudden increases in the interest rates on their credit cards. The pro/con piece is a good introduction to this topic, and definitely worth a read.
Karen Gross of Southern Vermont College describes the current policy of disclosure as a "flawed paradigm," writing that that "We erroneously assume consumers read, understand, and act on the explanation of credit card terms they receive. Many consumers, even those who read what they receive, do not fully understand the disclosures, which are often in small print or legalese."Eli Lehrer counters that increased regulation that goes beyond disclosure laws will result in higher interest rates for everyone.
I think they're both basically right. The problem is that the current disclosure laws are grossly inadequate: too many consumers don't read them and oftentimes they're almost impossible to understand -- even if you are financially literate!
Here's my idea for how to fix this mess: a quiz! Before they receive their line of credit, consumers should have to answer 10 multiple choice questions about the specific terms of the credit card. This way, consumers would have to understand the terms. Under the current system, they sign a line saying they understand the terms but don't have to do anything to demonstrate that they really do. That's the equivalent of handing an elementary school student a page with hundreds of math problems on it and saying "Sign there if you understand it", and then giving them an A based on that. Except instead of giving out grades, they're giving out credit. Applicants should have to demonstrate that they understand what they're signing.
And yes: I know that will never happen. But I still think it's the most logical solution to the credit card mess.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving may be out for the rest of the NBA Finals with a knee injury, but he's got a totally unique way to remind his teammates that he'll be there for them as they fight for a championship.
Irving caused a social media storm during his first press conference since having season-ending surgery after injuring his knee in Game 1 of the Finals. When he rested his forearms on the table to answer media questions, fans caught sight of the Friends logo on Irving's left arm.
Kyrie Irving showed off his FRIENDS tattoo at a press conference. Is this his dream? http://t.co/PncL7C3Tgppic.twitter.com/zj1vlS3bdu
"I mean what can I say lol I'm a fan of the show," Irving captioned the pic, which shows a zoomed-in view of his tat.
The characters of the iconic sitcom always professed to be fans of their hometown New York Knicks, but perhaps they'd consider switching loyalties?
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 67 loggers died on the job in 2015. While more truck drivers (885) and farmers (252) died that year while on duty, loggers had the highest number of deaths per 100,000 workers: 132.7. That is more than double the second highest, fishermen, at 54.8 per 100,000 workers. The American average, for reference, is 3.4 per 100,000, making logging 39 times more dangerous than the average job in the U.S.
So what is it that loggers do on a daily basis, and why does it make them so prone to on-the-job fatalities? And more importantly, what safety regulations are in place to protect them, and is it enough? I turned to Jeff Wimer, a senior instructor and manager of the Student Logging Training Program at Oregon State University (OSU) and chairman of the Western Region of the Council on Forest Engineering, to find out.
Loggers harvest timber from forests, making their line of work essential for our way of life. Trees provide materials for our buildings and furniture; their sawdust becomes our paper; their fibers can be used to make asphalt. Heck, we even owe a debt of thanks to trees and the loggers who fell them for baby food and toilet seats.
“The dangers to loggers are the same as they have always been,” Wimer says. The terrain of the Pacific Northwest, for example, is rugged and steep. “The majority of this ground still requires workers who have a much greater exposure to hazards than someone in a machine.”
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), some of those hazards come from the very tools loggers rely on. Equipment such as logging machines and chainsaws, while they have come a long way from the days of homemade choppers, still pose a threat.
Add the force of Mother Nature to that. Per OSHA, the incredible weights and unavoidable momentum of trees as they roll and slide can quickly lead to injury or death.
This is only made worse when dangerous environmental conditions arise, such as uneven, unstable or rough terrain; inclement weather, including rain, snow, lightning, winds and extreme cold; and remote work sites far from health care facilities.
With fatalities so high, and on the rise since the beginning of this decade (in 2010, there were 91.9 deaths per 100,000 loggers), I wanted to know what the industry was doing in response.
What safety regulations are in place currently, and why aren’t they working as well as loggers would like?
I came across a 1995 publication from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which detailed six logging deaths and how they could have been prevented. It also included revised regulations from OSHA that had been released earlier that year. These regulations included more job and first-aid training, more protective equipment, more requirements for the equipment used and “comprehensive manual felling procedures.”
Wimer says much of the dangers come down to working outside of a machine. “The best solution is to get a worker into a machine,” he says. “He is 10 to 20 times safer while operating machinery.”
Unfortunately, ground-based machinery can only be used on a maximum 50% slope (26.57 degrees), and loggers frequently come across slopes that are much steeper and must tackle the challenge sans machinery.
Jeff, as an active member on a committee that advises Oregon OSHA, is looking forward to a new technology called tethered assist, which will allow loggers to work a machine on slopes approaching 100%, or a 45-degree angle.
Tethered assist technology takes an old piece of machinery, like a bulldozer, renovates it and attaches a purpose-built winch to it, which would be tethered to the newer piece of machinery that will actually navigate the slope. Per Wimer, “In essence, when the machine on the slope needs to move, the tethering machine provides enough tension on the cable to allow the tethered machine to navigate the steep slope.”
So what’s the holdup with this tethered assist machinery? The first problem is safety.“The industry wants to ensure that we are not putting anyone at risk in operating these machines,” says Wimer. “Our hope is that this technology will greatly decrease the exposure to the man or woman on the ground.”
Perhaps an even bigger hurdle? “Economics,” says Wimer. “These systems will cost in the $1.2 million range. The question is how to make that much capitalization pay for itself. How can we increase production enough while maintaining a safe work environment to make these systems cost-effective?”
The importance of logging to our way of life is clear, but how do we move forward in this industry while battling these safety issues? Wimer believes pushing for more safety regulations and improving machinery is our best bet.
“We have to create a safer work environment if we want to attract young people to our industry,” says Wimer, who offered some advice to anyone considering a career in logging:
“Be diligent,” he says. “Don’t let up. Our industry has a terrible safety record.These young [loggers] need to be leaders when it comes to safety in our industry. Logging can be dangerous, but with proper training and awareness, we can greatly reduce the accidents and fatalities that occur all too regularly.”
Timothy Moore is a writer and editor based out of Nashville, where he lives with his partner and their two dogs.
The bride-to-be made her Sandringham debut alongside fiance Prince Harry, and she pulled out all the stops in the fashion department.
KING'S LYNN, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 25: Meghan Markle attends Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on December 25, 2017 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
US actress and fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry Meghan Markle (2R) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) curtsey flanked by Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (2L), and Britain's Prince Harry (2R) who bow as they see off Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaving after the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) and Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (2L), US actress and fiancee of Britain's Prince Harry Meghan Markle (2R) and Britain's Prince Harry (R) stand together as they wait to see off Britain's Queen Elizabeth II after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Meghan stuck to neutrals to attend the Christmas morning service at St. Mary Magdalene Church, wearing a wrap camel coat from Canadian luxury brand Sentaler. She polished off the look with a chestnut brown hat, Stuart Weitzman boots and a Chloé handbag. The actress was also spotted wearing the same glittering Maison Birk earrings she wore to the Queen's Buckingham Palace lunch last week.
Meghan was all smiles as she left the church next to Harry, who looked dapper in a grey Hugo Boss peacoat. The two were seen laughing while walking alongside Duchess Kate and Prince William, and it certainly made for quite a photo opp!
After the service, the former "Suits" actress was also seen giving her first curtsy to the Queen -- a major moment for the future royal.
Earlier this week, Meghan found herself in the middle of controversy after Princess Michael of Kent showed up to the Queen's Buckingham Palace Christmas lunch wearing a brooch deemed racially insensitive. The American star has often talked about the racism she experienced growing up. Her father, Thomas Markle, is white, and mother, Doria Ragland, is black.
While Princess Michael apologized, and vowed to never wear the accessory again, Meghan has remained mum on the situation. There was no sign of the princess at Monday's Christmas service.
U.S. President Donald Trump reacts after addressing the annual March for Life rally, taking place on the National Mall, from the White House Rose Garden in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
U.S. President Donald Trump talks with a girl after addressing the annual March for Life rally, taking place on the National Mall, from the White House Rose Garden in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
U.S. President Donald Trump leaves after addressing the annual March for Life rally, taking place on the National Mall, from the White House Rose Garden in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
U.S. President Donald Trump waves after addressing March for Life participants and pro-life leaders in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. Trump will meet with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer at the White House Friday as the Senate was set to take a showdown vote on a temporary funding bill with no clear path to get it to the president's desk before the midnight Friday deadline. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the annual March for Life rally, taking place on the National Mall, from the White House Rose Garden in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
U.S. President Donald Trump greets families gathered in the White House Rose Garden as he addresses the annual March for Life rally, taking place on the nearby National Mall in Washington, U.S., January 19, 2018. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Participants attend the annual March for Life anti-abortion rally in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, U.S. January 19, 2017. REUTERS/Eric Thayer
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking by satellite from the nearby White House, addresses attendees of the March for Life rally in Washington, U.S. January 19, 2017. REUTERS/Eric Thayer
Anti-abortion activists from around the US gather in Washington, DC January 19, 2017 for the annual 'March for Life.' / AFP PHOTO / Eva HAMBACH (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)
Anti-abortion activists from around the US gather near the National Mall in Washington, DC January 19, 2017 for the annual 'March for Life.' / AFP PHOTO / Eva HAMBACH (Photo credit should read EVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)
Americans tend to split roughly down the middle on abortion access, with 49 percent saying they supported it and 46 percent saying they opposed it in a 2017 Gallup poll. (Reporting by Ian Simpson in Washington and Jonathan Allen in New York; Writing by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Jonathan Oatis)
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