Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-30
ASKING AN INVESTIGATION.
Trouble at the New Naval Observatory
Between Contractors and Supervisor.
M'LAuaHLN AND co. FILE WITH SECRETARY
TRACY CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE, INsoLENcE,
ETC., AGAINST ASSISTANT ARCHITECT GRANT
AND ASK FOB AN INVESTIGATION.

| Messrs. p. q. McLaughlin q Co., the con-
| tractors for the new naval observatory above
| Georgetown, yesterday, through ex-SenatorCon-
ger and Mr.. R. H. Thayer, filed with Secretary
Tracy charges against W. H. Grant, assistant
architect in charge Of the work, asking for an
investigation and the removal of Mr.. Grant,
They note that the complaints made on the 9th
instant, which caused delay in the work on the
great equatorial building, were promptly acted
| upon and the matters complained Of settled in
few days, and ask that the manage
ment Of the work by Mr.. Grant be
investigated. They charge that, owing
to the want Of familiarity by
is incompetent to superintend it. They charge
that he ls ignorant in constituting the plans an !
specifications, and thereby causes long and
vexatious delays, which initiate against the
government as well as the contractors. They
state that in the beginning of the work he ac-
cepted the cement known as Round Top,
and after having the contractors grind it had
them haul two hundred barrels away. That
ne gave them a list of Rosendale cements to
select from and they selected the Bridge brand
the quality used in the construction Of the
Brooklyn bridge) and ordered cargo Of 800
barrels, and after 1O4 barrels had been received
ne rejected the whole cargo and condemned
the lot, notwithstanding that it was frst-class.
They charge further, that he is insolent in
manner to the workmen and is continually Civ
ing orders to them over the heads of the con-
tractors; that he purposely delays making esti-
mates OF the amount of work done, thereby
preventing prompt payment to the workmen,
putting them to great inconvenience and caus-
ing them expense and loss.
They further charge, that on November 9
they contracted with the National press brick
company for brick at $500 per 1000, and
delivery was commenced November IA and
continued to January 3, when, in consequence
OF Grants arbitrary action, the brick company
was compelled to annul the contract after fur
nishing 285, 900 brick, and the contractors were
compelled to go into the open market and pay
$3.50 per 1000, and in consequence of his
lGrants) action they have been put to great loss
In money and time and will be prevented from
completing the building at the time the con-
tract calls for.
What is Said in Official Circles.
The course of governmental construction
never runs smoothly, for by some inherent de-
feet in human nature contractors are almost
sure to fall out with those above them, and then
the fur flies. This rule has been established
by long years of building, complaints and
charges, extensions of time and suits on con-
tracts, and it is confirmed as a truth by the ex-
perience with the new naval observatory.
AS Is shown by the paragraph printed
in another part of this ISSUE there is trouble
between the contractors and the architect or
rather the architects representative, Mr.,
Grant. 1t is stated that the charges that have
been preferred by the contractors against Grant
nave not yet been received at the Navy depart
ment and nothing is known about them at the
observatory, although there has for some
time been feeling that something Of the kind
must surely evolve itself out of the Jar and
friction that have come to exist at the new
building.
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE
The trouble is not recent, but dates almost
from the time when the first spadeful of earth
was dug. STAR reporter was informed that
the contractors were inclined to rush matters
ahead. and chafed sorely under the restraint of
Mr.. Grant, who believed in making haste
slowly. He held a check rein over them at
every turn and when it came to the time for
mixing their cement and mortar he established
certain rules OF procedure in regard to mixing
and handling that the contractors did not re-
gard as practical, claiming that he made them
keep the cement SO long after mix
ing that it deteriorated. Contractor Nc
Laughlin has had an extensive experience
In his business, having been in charge of the
work OF replacing the foundation of the WASH
ington monument with cement, and claims to
be pretty well up in the matter of handling that
sort OF material He made verbal complaint
about the methods of Mr.. Grant to the superin-
tsndent OF the observatory, Capt. Pythian, and
mony to show that his waywas better.
THE LAST STRAW.
There have been many other little things
connected with the construction that have
caused complaint by the contractors, and the
last straw was heaped on when. not long ago,
MIR. Grant, becoming dissatisfied with the work
OF the boss bricklayer, who is really the sub
contractor, ordered his discharge. There was
a lively scene between the two, and a liberal
use OF strong English by excited arti-
sans, and now the sub-contractor, like
Mohammed's coffin. hangs betwixt heaven and
earth, as it were. This undoubtedly was the
cause of the charges, and will be one of the
main points in issue in tn, investigation that
Is almost sure to follow.
DISSATISFACTION AMONG OBSERVATORY PEOPLE.
There is but little doubt that the observatory
folks are not very we'll pleased with the man
ner in which Architect Hunts representative
has conducted affairs at the building. and in
view of this fact the charges will probably be
Endorsed with recommendation to investigate
when they come back from the observatory,
where, in the course of official events they
will have to be referred.
THE NEW BUILDING
is not progressing as rapidly as it should, owing
to numerous changes that have had to be made
in the plans and also to the slow methods Of
construction. The contract called for compile
ton in eighteen months from the date of sign
ing, but there were at least six months delay
at the start on account of notifications.
Interior Department Changes.
The following official changes have been made
in the Department Of the Interior:
Office of the Secretary-Promotions: Miss
Anna Rurpesa of District NJ CoIu,,h;o d, ooo