The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-05
INDIANA BUILDING STONE.

| lOency OF the Senate.
INDIANA BUILDING STONE.
A Spirited Discussion of It's Qualities Before
Assistant Secretary Fairchild.
| Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-Indianas building
stone interests were on trial to-day before As
sistant Secretary of the Treasury Frirchid, the
stone being arraigned by committee represent
| ing the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburg, and
defended by Messrs. Cobb, Matson, Howard,
| kleiner and Ward, of the Indiana delegation to
| Congress- The proprietors of the Bedford lime
stone quarries are energetic bidders on
the general superstructure of a govern
ment building to be constructed at
Plttsourg, at cost Of $780, 000
The Chamber Of Commerce and most citizens
there are opposed to the use of Indiana lime
stone because, they say, it will not withstand
the smoky, sulphuric and damp atmosphere it
would encounter there. AS the order, if secured,
would amount to over 5000, 600 worth of dressed
stone, and the brilding is to be so fine, it would
afford an excellent advertisement to any quarry
| furnishing it, and Indianians have for some time
been working as hard as they could to have the
Bedford production used.
The hearing before Assistant Secretary Fair
child occupied over two hours to-day, was largely
attended, and attracted much attention. Mr.
| Rickerson, of the Pittsburg Chamber of Com
| MERGE, spoke first. and at great length explained
the peculiar atmosphere building at his city
would be subjected to. He read a report from
the county civil engineer, and letters from the
presidents of all the national banks at Pittsburg
against the use of any kind Of stone in govern
| ment buildings there. He said the only argu-
ment produced in favor of the Bedford stone was
that it cost $780, 600 less than granite, and that
| it would furnish employment to lot Of home
mechanics, as it would be prepared in Pittsburg
| whereas granite would be finished. ready for
putting into the building before it left the quar-
ry. IF the Treasury Department is for re-
| trenchment and economy" said he, "and wants
to save money by the use of stone, we say, give
| us pressed brick"
This remark was not we'll received by the In.
| dianians present. They considered it an unfair
| comparison and a gratuitious insult; they re-
solved to retort at the first opportunity, and they
did not have long to wait.
Mr.. Rickerson began reading an editorial
| from a Pittsburg newspaper against Indiana
stone, in which it was asserted that ''the
new Statehouse. at Indianapolis, which is being
| constructed of Bedford limestone, already gives
evidence of deterioration, and proves that i&this
stone should come in contact with the smoke
and gas Of Pittsburg, not only would the stone
become discolored, but the sulphur and acids
would utterly destroy the texture of the stone"
The moment this sentence was uttered Mr.
Cobb spoke up with some feeling: 'That is abb
solutely false; know it is, for saw the Indiana
| State-house on Tuesday"
| This ratified the Pittsburger. Mr. Cobb then
at the conclusion of the reading of the editorial
| took the floor He said his interest in the mat
ter was one of State pride, as it was also
with his colleagues. It was government
building that is to be built, and the
Pittsburg representatives had no more right
than men from..other sections to insist upon use
of the material their own individual ide:s
suggested. II regret" said ne. ito hear these
men say they prefer brick, because limestone is
much BETTER and makes more handsome and
elastic building than bricks. Those who say to
the contrary do not know what they are talking
about. l was raised in the vicinity of these In
diana stone-ouarries, and know what their ma
terial is. Then We have scientific evidence
can show bridge abutments and shafts in
different parts of the country twenty or
thirty years DID, which prove the beauty
| and elasticity of Bedford stone Iknow there is
prejudice against our stone among Eastern men,
because they don't know what it is. On Tues
| day last examined the Statehouse at Indian
apolis, and if any one will show me any deter-
Grafton upon it from the atmosphere or a pruise
from any natural cause, will pay him for his
| trip to indianapolis. The limestone I speak of
is as durable and strong as granite. Professor
| Collett, Of my State, says it is equal to any
building material in the world. The court
| house at Indianapolis, begun fourteen years ago
and costing nearly s., 000,000 is as strong and
beautiful to-day as it was when it was built and
| is monument to the durability Of Bedford
| stone. 1t will stand, too, thou
sand years, unless stricken by some un-
| natural influence. Our stone is soft, and
wears well; it may not be as firm as granite for
steps, but put it where only atmospheric in
| fuences act, and it will last as long and remain
| as beautiful as any material in the world 1t
| makes more handsome structure than granite.
| 1t polishes as well, and much easier than gran
| te and will stand atmospheric influences as
| well. The most beautiful shafts in the GENE
| teries Of Indiana are made of this stone. Some
| of them have stood for thirty years. and only
| ask you to ascertain their beauty and condition
| at this time. There several qualities of
| building stone in Indiana. Some are much
| finer than other qualities Prejudice is engen-
dered on account of the poorer grades. The
| quality of the material we represent is not
| all there is in this question. It will cost over
800, 600 less than granite. This may not be