The Evening critic., 1885-01-30
THE GREAT Ball
Roofing the New Pension Office
Building.
THE VARIOUS CONTRACTS.
Approximations of Delay Flooring,
Plumbing and Other Work
The Canvas-Stretching
to Begin To-day.

"Well, there will have to DO o heap Of
work done over there in tho next three or
four weeks" said committeeman to
CRITIC reporter, who met him coming from
the new Pension building.
Everything will be ready in time, ex-
pect," replied the scribe. "At least the
Executive Committee says So"
81 know it, and they are going to work
to accomplish 1t but 1t will be a pretty
heavy contract to get through with. I
wonder IL the executive committee has
considered for moment the extent and
weight of responsibility resting upon them.
1t kind Of struck me all Of a sudden, as
was taking a passing inspection of the inte-
rior of the building few minutes ago. A
stranger walking inside of that structure
now, and being told that in five weeks the
finest ball ever held in the United States
will be given there, would gradually steal
away from the individual who seemed so
knowing, satisfied that he was in close prox-
unity to crank"
at will be given there, though, and
everything will be in shipshape, too"
"True enough. But it don't look 1t
now. Trot in there and look at the brill
liant ballroom in its present state-piles
of dirt, brickbats and rubbish; walls
smeared with mortar and rough-end bricks
pointing at you. There will be mighty
transformation when the change is COM
plete. / do not profess to be judge in
these matters, but it seems to me that If
the canvas roof was In position many an
hour could be saved to the plumbers, car
penters and decorators. | don't mean to
say that the naval officer having the
rigging OF that temporary roof In charge
does not know his business, but have an
idea that more rapid progress could be
made, and minutes lost now will count as
hours three weeks hence. You SEQ, 1t is
lust this: The Executive Committee is
entering into its contracts for the per-
Torrance and completion Of certain por-
tions Of the work to BIO done about the
building, and which they specify shall be
finished at certain time. Then they make
these contractors give bond for the faithful
performance of their contracts. In the
meantime, the roof is not on, and nothing
can be done until it is. Conseq uently the
time lost is at the expense of the con-
tractor and peril of his bond"
Haven't they got plenty of timer"
"Hold on minute. Let's SEQ how this
thing is likely TO work in case Of continued
unfavorable weather. More snow-storms,
rain falls, or high Winds means more de-
lays to the roof, and that necessitates draw
backs down stairs in the court. The first
wanting TO get in there are the plumbers
| They can do well enough with their pipes
| until the time comes to suspend those
| Siemen lights, and guess If the roof Is moi
complete when that time is reached, the
lights will not be hung, whether it is the
| 23d of February or not. Probably the most
important thing next to the roof Is the lay
ing of the ballroom floor, and nothing can
be done in that direction until the canvas
Is in place.
Speaking of the floor, that Ia about the
cheapest job the committee has struck. Six
teen hundred dollars for putting down 9
North Carolina pine floor in first-class con
dition for dancers of the dimensions Of that
room will not leave much of q margin for
the contractor when his work is finished
Then the heaters have to be put in position
and only part of them have arrived, while
the workmen are not as expeditions as they
might be. ! tell you, none of them appre
| ciate the value of time in this matter"
\ "Why, the Executive Committee is push
ing, all they know how, at least they say
| So"
Nobody is finding fault with them, bu'
those working on the building do not trave
along fast enough to meet my fancy. 1
may be that am mistaken, but it is bet
ter to be so than find that / am correct il
my fears in this respect. 1t is a grant
place for a ball, and l hope it will be sue
cess. In fact know it will be If this snal
| is not run against"
"How about the attendance? Will tina
be as large as counted upon?"
"They will have all they want presen
and more than enough to make it comfort
able. 1 don't blame them for trying b
make it the ball of all balls. They are jus
titled in it. You see there is many an oil
foot that has not danced to good Democrat
music for over twenty years, and here
the chance, and they are not going to los
it,. either"
many to look on as will dance"
every likely ample provision will b
made for all promenaders, aud they will
have as much chance to enjoy themselve
as the dancers. The arrangements whel
completed will, think, insure enjoymen
for everybody. Those wishing to look o.
can take themselves to the galleries, an
it will be some time before they weary {
the changing scene on the floor. 1t wi
not be constant dancing, for the promenad
music intervenes and that gives all dis
posed a chance to get on the floor"
Like all other balls suppose this wi
last until daylight
II guess not think that by one o'cloc
you will find the throng pretty we
thinned out, and an hour later there wi
be SO few left that they will appear lost.i
the immensely large room"
II see that the weather prophet in HI
gerstown, Md, who gets out an almaui
every year, says that 1t will snow in Mary
land ON the 4th and 9th of March, and
may reach here"
'fIf it does then we will have TO make Il
most of it, but hope that time will prov
that there is one mistaken prophet"
The reporter bid the gentleman goC
morning and next met Mr.. Gait, chairma
Of the Executive Committee.
, what progress is being made with IL
canvas roof" was asked.
|, "They are getting along very WE'LL"
( replied. II have got no authority for sa
0 ing so, but believe If we are given t,
more days clear weather that the roof vi
= be in place and the work below well und
|. way"
) dThere is no likelihood of not being rea
In time?'
! "None at all. I am fully confident Oh
our part will be completed and the ba
I room finished and ready for use before
= time when IL will be wanted