Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-22
GOING FOR MALONE.
A Contractor Blames the Superin-
tendent for the Delay in
FINISHING THE NEW POSTOFFICE.
Postmaster Mexican Will Telegraph to the
Department, and
EXPECTS THATA CHANGE WILL BE MADE

Postmaster Mexican has become fatigued
by the delay in the completion of the new
Government building, and will to-day tele-
graph to Postmaster General Wanamaker a
detailed account of the shape the building
is now in. This will result, it is expected
by Postmaster Mexican, in the removal ol
Superintendent Malone.
The moving cause for this action was the
visit OF Mr.. Butz, a member of the Pennsyl-
vania Construction Company, to the Post
masters Office yesterday afternoon. This
company has the contract to slate or tile the
roof of the Government building. Mr.. Nc
kean was absent when Mr.. Butz called, but
the latter left word that while his company
was prepared, and has been for some time,
to carry out the contract, nothing could be
done while Superintendent Maloue per-
sisted in interfering with the work.
Mr.. Butz failed to detail how Mr.. Malone
was interfering with him, but he has been
notified to meet the Postmaster this morn
ing, and furnish the particulars. These
gentlemen will 20 over the new building,
and after the examination is completed Mr..
Mexican will telegraph to Postmaster Gen.
eral Wanamaker the result of his investlga-
ton.
A DISMAL PROSPECT.
Postmaster Mexican, in speaking of the
matter yesterday, said: "At the rate OF
progress of the past six weeks we will never
get into the building. We are in terribly
cramped quarters here, and have no room to
ltho tha hnc - ic
Office is increasing daily. We were prom
ised that our new quarters should ne ready
for occupancy by October 1, but that date
has long since passed, and we are no nearer
than We were four months ago.
NEARLY all the contracts have been let
for the building, and the contractors are
awaiting an opportunity to complete their
work. On August the roof was ready for
the skaters to begin work, but so far not a
slate has been placed in position. The plas-
terer has his men and material in the build
ing, but he cannot do a thing until the roof
is finished, because if it happened to rain, a
not unusual event in this neigh hborhood. the
plastering would have to be done all over
again. Now, suppose the work OF finishing
the roof is commenced at once, the weather
may get cold and frosty. This would effect
ually stop the plastering, and the carpenters,
VINO are WaltlnH upon lne plaSterers, are
also held back indefinitely.
EXPECTS A CHANGE NOW.
Now, Mr.. Malone is first-class archi-
tect and engineer, and no man better under
stands his work. Yet 10 progress worth
mentioning is being made. Mr.. Patterson,
the Democratic Superintendent, made things
move at lively rate, and made a good
record for himsel'. At that time the build
ing was in such shape that it needed con-
slant and careful supervision; now there is
nothing but straight-away work to be done.
"When was in Washington u few days
ago L assured the department that Mr.
Malone would see that the contractors hur-
,ried up with the work. Postmaster General
Wanamaker asked me to telegraph him the
condition of the building, but I have de-
ferred doing so, hoping that there would be
a change for the better. However, this
building has been dragging along now for
such time that something, must be done.
1 would like to get into the new postofhce
before my term expires but, al the present
rate of progress, it does not seem at all prob
able. expect that immediate and decisive
action will be taken by the Postmaster Cen
eral upon receipt of my telegram"
Mr.. McKean's remark that nearly all the
contracts have been let is contradiction of
Mr.. Malone's statement, made a few days
ago, when he said that there was over $780,
600 worth of work yet to be awarded.