Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-01-22
SAFELY CONSTRUCTED.
Report of the Committee ON the
Phillips, Bl0ck.

Report OF the COmm1ttee ON Tn
Philiips' tSlock.
The special committee of engineers
appointed to examine into the condi-
ton of the Phillips Block has drawn
up the following report, which was
presented to Mayor Workman yes
terday:
To the Hon. VIM. II. Workman, Mayor
of the City CT Los angeles.
A communication, signed "Bene-
factor" having appeared in the Eoen-
ing Express, condemning as dangerous
the building fronting on Spring street
and Franklin street in the city of Los
Angeles, and now being erected by
Louis Phillips, Esq, at the request
of Mr.. B. j. Reeve, architect OF the
work, the undersigned consented to
make an examination of the building
and make a public report of their
findings in the matter.
At your request, VIM. T. Lambie,
City Engineer, was added to the COM
mittee, and for that reason and be-
cause, as the official head Of our
municipality, you are the proper per-
son to address, we beg respectfully to
state to you that on Friday, January
20, 1888, we thoroughly examined the
building so far as it has been con-
structed, and having further examined
the plans and specifications for said
building would respectfully report as
follows:
First-The foundation walls are
substantially constructed and exceed
in thickness the requirements of the
Fire Ordinance Of Los Angeles. They
were minutely and critically exam
ined and show no settlement what
ever. In the rear we find one pier in
the basement wall where the distance
from window to door was not suffic-
iently great. This defect can be easily
remedied, and upon a subsequent
comparison with the basement plan
at that particular point we ascertained
that the improvement suggested by us
was in accordance with said plan. and
that the imperfection was occasioned
by deviation from the original draw
ing.
Second. On the ground floor, the
iron columns aligning the SPRING
street front, and supporting the super
incumbent wall, have sunk from one
half of one inch to one and one-quar-
ter inches. and without more than q
cursory examination would suggest a
settlement of the foundation walls.
There has been no settling, however,
whatever, the sinking having been
caused by the brick contained in the
supporting walls or piers being too
soft, and showing a tendency to crush
from the granite bases downwards for
a distance of twelve or eighteen
inches. This defect has already been
provided for, and the plans prepared
Immediately after the occurrence Of
the crushing, and upon its first dis
covery by the builders, and now in
process of construction for remedying
the imperfection, and which were sub.
Aaitted to us and explained in detail,
are amply sufficient for the future Sc
curity of the completed structure.
In the second story partition walls
have been erected upon girders con-
structed OF wood and rolled-iron
plates, sixteen inches deep and
three fourths of an inch in thickness,
with two inch ellis with separator.
One of these girders, near the
Spring street front of the building,
and over the first column in rear of
said front, has canted, so that its
lower edge is about one inch out of
line. This was caused by the sink
ing of the the front, and without fur
ther settlement of the front wall, is
defect which of itself would not ma
terially affect the stability or strength
of the structure. 1t can be placed in
proper position, and we are assured
will be, the correction of its alignment
being a part of the remedial plans
above referred to.
4. We found no bulged walls, or
walls that required showing or prop
ping. Whatever had been placed
temporarily against the walls had
been removed before our inspection.
5. In addition, we examined the
building with reference to any viola
tions of the Fire Ordinance" hav-
ing said ordinance before us; and we
find that the construction OF said
building is in accordance with it's
provisions, being in some Of its details
more substantially designed and con-
structed. And, as conclusion, we
would state that, in our opinion, the
completed structure, if constructed as
it. has been designed, will compare
.dvorably, for strength and stability,
with any building in the City of Los
Angeles. j. j. HALL,
]. f. WooD,
GEo. G. KNOX,
Committee.
4 / certify that the above report is
correct, except as to the last clause
and to that as far ae my personal in
spection has gone.
Signed: WIN. L. LAMBIE,
CITY Enoineer.