Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-06
THE LAST CARGO OF STONE.
All the Granite for the PostOflce Now Here
Delay on Account Of Derrick-No
Good Lumber TO be Had.

All the Granite for the PostoIlce Now Here
Delay on Account Of Derrick-No
Good Lumber TO be Had.
The last cargo of stone for the magnificent
Federal building in course Of construction
here arrived in this city from the port of
Baltimore yesterday, and is now lying on
fat cars in the Baltimore and Ohio yard.
The removal of the stones to the building
yard will be delayed by some odd difficult
ties in the construction of derrick needed
to lift and convey the immense pieces of
granite from the wagons to their places in
the yard.
Several weeks ago one of the four
derricks on the top of the structure
was broken, and the yard derrick
was lifted in place Of it. A new der
rick was needed for the yard. The derricks
used about the building must all be of i'm
mense size, on accout of the ponderous
stones, to be lifted. Some Of the stones
weigh as much as ten tons. Bids for the
building of the derrick were called for.
There was only one response, from firm OF
contractors in this city. They were unable
to secure the timber. Superintendent
Malone then obtained permission from the
Treasury Department to make the derrick
himself Alter diligent search in all the
lumber yards of this city, he was able to
find only one piece Of timber long and strong
enough to form the upright mast. This is
now in the yard, and has been put almost
into shape. Another difficulty then pre-.
sented ITSELF The boom must be five feet
longer than the mast, as straight as a right
line and without flaw or weakness. Strange
to say, Mr.. Malone has been unable to find in
all this city, q piece of timber suitable for the
boom. One was procured long enough and ap-
parently strong enough, but when the
carpenters began to dress it a flaw was dis
covered.
1t is Mr.. Malone's intention to go, in a
few days, as soon as the present urgent busi-
ness will permit, about 200 miles up the AL
legheny river to explore the lumber yardsin
Warren county, to find a boom for that der
rick. As soon as it is procured, the last
stones for the Federal building will be re-
moved from the cars and placed In the
yards.
During the eight months of Mr.. Malone's
superintendeney the Government has been
rushing the stone from Maine to Pittsburg,
and four cargoes, containing $4,000 cubic
feet OF granite, have been brought to this
city. That work is now finished.
Since the 1st of December Superintendent
MulOue udS udu new lOb Oi WOTk put upon
him not previously required by the Govern
ment. By an order of the Secretary of the
Treasury, all the superintendents of Federal
buildings in the United States have been
required to make weekly reports to Super
vising Architect Windrim, showing what
work has been done and the nature Of the
work during the week. This report is made
in great detail and requires a great deal of
time The Government desired tn have the
report furnished every Saturday evening,
but this has been found to be impossible.
The work is finished too late Saturday even
ing to permit of the figures being compiled
and the report made out To prepare this
report has compelled Superintendent Ma
lone and his son William to work at the
Office every Sunday since the order was
received. In addition to the weekly report,
another summary must be made at the end
of each month and forwarded to the Treas
ury Department.