The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-16
HELENA COURT HOUSE.
The Architects Proceed to Overhaul
the Contractors.

The architects OF the county court hopss
oil Lewis and Clarke County. in view OF the
many comments upon that structure, have
Just completed a thorough examination OF
the structure and submitted q report to
the County Commissioners. They state
that footing stones have been substituted
under the interior walls instead of concrete,
which the contract calls for; that the foot
ings do not always conform to the width
shown by the plans. They state that they
have examined each and every feature of
the case and find that the interior walls
have had stone f~ootings placed under them
OF a breadth that is not always in exact
keeping with the widths called for. have
carefully gone over all the weights and find
them correct as originally calculated in the
preparation Of the drawings. I have, there
lore, to say that it is unwise to even con-
slider any other course than to order new
footings to take the place OF the present
ones wherever they differ from the require
ments. We find this to be necessary III the
case Of eleven walls, and hay e ordered the
same to be done, which the contractors
agree to do The architects do not object
to the substitution OF stone for concrete
provided the widths are not altered.
O LITTLE CEMENT
The next matter referred to is the &C.
ment in the concrete under the outer walls.
which the architects say is only one-sixth
to one-seventh bulk, when it should have
been one-fourth. This they dec!arei is strong
enough Tor the purposes OF the building,
but they severely criticize the builders for
this violation OF contract, and add: The
contractors cannot be allowed to profit by
any such substitution or omis/(0hs, and
we advise that he board deduct sufficient
to amply repay Tho county for such a saw
ing. In the meantime the contractors
have their recourse, and, ii they desire, to
prove that we are working any injustice to
them, well and good. In the meantime we
propose to keep our clients on the safe
side"
TIL cobble stone walls, the brick work
and other portions OF the building are
found to be in accordance with contract.
The report recommends that IL competent,
permanent superintendent be eni-
ployed. The contractors having made
a demand for a payment of $4,000 the
architects say they do not consider that,
under the circumstances, such an estimate
would be sale. They have gone over the
ground thoroughly and arrived at the on
c%lusion, however, that, alter deducting sui
ticlent to insure the prompt and proper
OF that which is in any way adj
to renew, and for the deductions
that may seem fair and equitable Tor any
omission not necessary to make good, tho
a safely allow an estimate OF
$22, 900, less, OF course, the percentage.
Although we havea as yet made no estimate,
We know the county will be perfectly safe
in paying that amount. which is a little
over half the amount the contractors have
requested an estimate for.
In the foregoing we have said nothing
concerning the errors in the tower wallis,
errors the contractors agreed to GER
rect at the time Of my last visit and which
have not as yet had IN opportunity
to do,