The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-08
TIE NEW STATE HOUSE.
Mr.. e F. Gobel. the Contractors
Agent, Completing the Great
Work

As the work CT the new State house pro-
gIestes toward completion the interest of the
people in the great enterprise becomes pro-
poItionsiely intense. 1t will be remembered
thet the contractors confessed their inability
to proceed further with the work at the con-
tract prices. TEis admission was made in
1852, snd work was suspended until October
Of 1888, when Mr. f. F. Goble, of Chicago,
one of TIE suTeties on the contractors boao,
Tesumed the work IN the name of the con-
tractor. Since that time, according to the
reports Of the Stste.house Commissioners
and also by the practical evidences on the
building itself, Mr.. GObel is giving general
satisfaction. About 300 hands are employed
on the work, and more than twice tue orisi-
nal progress is made. The stone work on
the building proper viii be completed this
year, and the structure will be rooted by next
winter The great dome is an ezceedtugly
solid piece CT masonry, and Is nov 1p to the
spring of the arch. The grounds are filed
with material ard the work gees grandIv Oh.
A Sentinel representative inspected the
building and was particular to note the char.
acter OF the work and the quality OF material
used, all of which he found satisfactory. He
then made call upon the Commissioners,
interviewed them on the matter, aud
especially as TO Mr.. GobePs ability TO push
forward and complete the work, aud in all
respects he found those agents of the State
exceedingly well pleased with the progress
being made, and particularly earnest in their
praise Of z. +. Gobel as a contractor and
builder, and also as q man Of integrity and
kindred sterling qualities. The Sentinel can
add It's testiu ony to theirs in this case, and
can speak Of the responsible man managing
no Qfoto y -
has saved the people OF Indiana much money
by the prompt way IN which he assumed the
responsibility OF the contractor.
he is losing money by doing the work
and Up TO this time his losses have beea IN
siderable. Re is obligated, however. and he
proposes 10 maintain his business standiOg,
even ii aftsrwaId he might be suppllant
before q generous people. He proposes ia
Go his work well and complete It according
to contract, aud with all possible disps. ch,
too.
Mr.. f. i. Gohel is native of New Jersey.
is Fifty years of age, and has been a esidsnt
IL Chicago for eighteen years. He is prsc.
teal msson. builder and general contractor,
and has been doing business for himself tor
the past thirty years, He built the West
Side Water WORKS In Chicago, the lake crib
and several of the viaducts. Many promi.
neDt buildings attest his skill and
hint in the direction OF bis be-
H. one OF tie N6Iit0IGSL alU
most successful contractors in the West. de
is 8 man Of scope, is quiet and effective, aud
dislikes business. When be took charge OF
the work be found that the shouting of the
hands on the building and the general din
Of Encouragement wes not only q loss OF
time but also q source OF annoyance to the
neigh borhood. He quieted this and sue.
ceedeS in educating his men in knowledge
OF the work end in the potency OF sign Ian
guage-so much so that now with 500 at
work, there is 4 minimum Of noise and no
con fusion.
Wien ne assumed control material was
reported scarce and few were inclined 10 far
nish sDy thing. This state Of things he soon
changed by prompt pRy ments and strict bust
nets methods. Statements mus. be handed
10 by certain day il each month SC as to
De audited aud Iaid al a specified time in
said month, and parties who neglect to com.
ply with this rule can have no further bus
ness arrangement with Mr.. GoOsl Tnera is
no departure from this order that can avoid
he consequences.
4 feature previously noted by the Ssnti-
mel is tho doing away with the use OF fur.
ring and lsthiT in building like the State
house designed TO be fire proof The Com
missioueTs, at q small additional cost have
agreed TO Substitute for this infsmab.e ma
teIisl q hollow tile arching bstWeen the iron
joist, coming fash with the lower edge of
tbe go3st duc ioAuiihS ptnsOcllhS bkouAu'
This was the suggestion Of Mr.. Gobel. IL is
AN eminently practical one and worthy OF
his extensive experience.
As the work progres ses the Sentinel will
give the facts to the public, and when the
new State house is turned over 10 the Com
missioners and accepted By them, we will
be only too clad to say to the present con
tractor in charge, well done, thou good
and faithful servant" No doubt this has
already been said TO him in many cases. The
credit which is his to enjoy comes largely
from such evidences OF bis ability and integ-
rity. They commend him to his fellows.
They go before him to prepare the stranger
TO receive him. They sing his praises in
tones that are heard above the raging OF the
tenn est and the clamor of enemies. They
ale his stepping stones to fame and fortune.