Drills Bore Holes in Widener For Book Tunnel to Lamont

Pneumatic drills are hammering at the foundation of Widener, as the Fuller Construction Company rushes completion of the Lamont-Widener book tunnel. The library, boasting solid concrete walls five thick, has been under fire for three weeks and is expected to hold out until vacation.

The drills, powered by the two compressed air machines that can be seen huffing and puffing near the tunnel excavation, are chipping a seven-foot square hole in the foundation wall. The tunnel, whose floor is about 15 feet underground, comes out of Widener, feints toward Wigglesworth and then veers sharply into the basement of Lamont.

Two other tunnels are planned for construction when the ground has thawed. A steam tunnel will run from Wigglesworth along Lamont and under Quincy Street to the Union. The other, starting in Lamont, will lead to Houghton.

Meanwhile construction on the building itself is moving into a new stage as workers begin on the penthouse which will be the crowning glory of the Library, rising one floor from the flat roof.