The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-08-21

been offered
CHICAGO, August l6, 1873.
SYDNEY MYERS, ESQ,
Manager NJ, F. 4 NJ. Savings Bank
Dear Sir The undersigned, your com
mittee appointed to examine the plans and
specifications submitted in competition for
the prize Of One Thousand Dollars 81 000(,
offered By you for the best plans for an APP
proximately tire-proof dwelling, beg to report
as follows:
After thorough and complete examina-
ton of the various plans submitted, the
award was made on the LIST day of February.
1878, to MIR. A. j Smith, Architect, Chr
cago, conditioned upon the faithful perform
ance on his part of all the stipulations con
tanned in your circular, involving the cree
ton by him Of house constructed substan-
TALLY upon plan submitted, said house to be
tested By your committee, especially with
reference To its hre-proof qualities but
its cost, construction, symmetry and con
venience to be ais" considered.
Having received notice that a block of
four houses had been constructed on Sacra-
mento avenue, according to his plans, under
the supervision Of Mr.. Smith, we proceeded
to the locality, Saturday afternoon, the l4th
inst, where we found the south Of the block
furnished for occupancy, and exceedingly de-
sirable as to capacity, neatness and symme-
try, as well as in respect to substantial quail
ties in the construction.
these houses have two stories and base
ment stone front steps, and Steps to base
ment hollow brick walls Portland cement
stairs inside, supported on brick, and the
same description Of steps to the yard both
8. . III H..
ment ali partitions are of brick or concrete,
and all timbers perfectly protected wish the
same materials roofs covered with concrete
and then timed and painted all smoke tiues
are lined throughout with burnt clay pipe ;
the window stills are of stone and window
caps OF terra Gotta.
The houses are complete in all their details,
with trees and grass in front enclosure, and
sidewalks Of Portland cement and within
everything in order ready for housekeeping,
intending gas and water pipes, sinks, bath
tub, etc. the yard, with neat painted fences,
and sodded, having all necessary appurten-
ances even to hooks ready for the clothes
lines and as the cost is an important ele-
ment in such experiments, we will add that
the houses and lots are being sold for Three
Thousand Dollars $4,000 each. Terms one
fourth cash, and the remainder in easy pay
purteuances, about g., 900 each.
We thea proceeded to the north house
which was in an unfinished state ready for
the test. This building contained represen-
tative furniture, made Of pine, equivalent to
that in the furnished house, besides which
the floors were thickly strewn with shavings,
and the further to facilitate a rapid and in
tense heat, the windows were left open, furn-
ishing a perfect draught Of air through the
building.
The fire was started at o'clock, and after
it had nearly burned itself out, water was
introduced by Fire Marshal Benner and
thrown against the walls and ceilings from
az engine, to ascertain the effect of water
thrown on the material when heated
The result Of this test was most gratifying
to your Committee, satisfying them that the
building was, indeed, all that had been
claimed for it, and entitled Mr.. Smith to the
full benefit of the award.
The only damage we were able to discover
as the result OF the test consisted in the fall
ing Of the rough coat OF mortar, the partial
burning Of the window castings, and discolor-
ing Of the window caps by smoke
In addition to the test made to the build
ing itself, we also tested two sectional build
ings, intended to show more particularly the
construction Of the roof and ceiling, of which
there we're two kinds one known as Johns
patent ceiling, with wires stretched at inter
walls of four inches to form the support of
the whole mass of mortar and concrete, while
the other, an arrangement Of your own, in
which the support for the mortar was formed
by mailing wood lath to bevelled strips If
wood on the under side o. the joists, 30 that,
when the concrete is filled in on top, it forms
a self-supporting arch.
Both these sections were subjected to an
intense heat for three-fourths of an hour.
when water was applied. and they were found
to be in apparently as good condition as be-
| fore the test.
In conclusion, we repeat that the test was
in every manner satisfactory 10 US as fully
conforming to the requirements contained in
your circular.
We cannot close this report without ex.
pressing our appreciation of the great work
you have accomplished in demonstrating not
only to Chicago but to the whole country
that good, pleasant and indestructible houses
can be constructed at a moderate cost, anG
we hope soon to see them replace the insight
ly, unhealthy and unsafe buildings SO mucf
in use at tins time.
Very respectfully yours,
LOUIS VAIL,
Representing Board of Public Works,
(per REDMOND PRIEDTvILLE, Prest BoarC
Of Public Works.
CHAs.. w. DREW,
Representing the Chicago Board Of Under
writers.
N. S. BoUToN,
Representing the Citizens Association.
| BEN c. MIsLER,
Representing the Board Of Health Of Chicago
| Amos GRANNIs,
Builder.