The morning call., 1890-06-10
CITY HALL WALLS.
The Search for Fraudulent Work
in Them Resumed.
Twenty.tbree Holes Found = Hanks Shows
Where the stuffing Was Gbtained-Ths
Grand Jury Will Investigate.

Early yesterday morning the City Hall
Commissioners. led by Mayor Pond, again
took up the nve stisation of the character
of the workmanship on the walls OF the
northwest wing Of the New City Hail.
Their purpose was to discover, il posi-
BILE, more of the crooked work, which brick
layer Hanks says has been performed in
building the walls.
1t having been announced that the inves-
tigation would be resumed on Monday
morning, there was large gathering Of
curious persons around the wing, all Of
whom wanted to go up on the scaffclding
and see the proceedings and inspect the
work for themselves.
Although precautions were taken to pre-
vent all persons not engaged in the investi-
CATION from reaching the top, large num-
Der in some manner climbed up. and at the
risk of their lives wandered around on the
narrow scaffod planks and iron beams.
Not only did they see very little to satisfy
their curiosity, but they were in the way of
the Investigators and impeded the progress
of the men at work. Those who could not
reach the top gathered on the opposite side
of McAllister street and gazed upward.
BEGINNING THE WORK.
It was O'Clock when Experts Wright,
Mccarthy and Hanks, Mayor Pond, Auditor
Strother, City and County Attorney Flour
noy, Sup srintendent of Construction Boyd,
representatives of the press and several ar
chitects and builders mounted the scotfold-
ing and began their searching work.
Hanks undertook to convey the party
around and point out the places where the
holes stuffed with rubbish existed. On Sat
urday number of these had been exposed
in the eastern and western walls.
These openings had been made just above
the floor grders and on line with row Of
yentilator holes which extend around the
entire building. One place was opened just
above an arch over the main corridor run
ming northward. 1t was found stuffed with
broken bricks and hts of refuse mortar,
which ratified out as soon as the place was
opened.
INSPECTING THE HOLES.
When the openings in the second story
were inspected the party was unable TO de-
termine whether any refuse had been eX-
tracted from them. Eight holes were made
in the eastern wall, and there were seven
in the western wall. Two holes were
found in piers on which Hanks had worked
near the main building. Two other holes
revealed bad workmanship, but no refuse
had been found in them.
The partition wall parallel with McAllis-
ter street Hanks had said was 'all hollow"
1t was bored and pronounced sound by EX-
pert Mccarthy.
Twenty-three openings were found up to
noon. Ofthose seven disclosed the presence
of refuse matter and brick. The holes were
scattered around in various places.
During the progress of the examination
Auditor Strother asked Hanks where the
refuse matter came from, and he stated that
it was from the old walls which were being
torn down In order that the wing may be
joined to the main building.
On being questioned further Hanks ad-
mitted that he had worked on the walls
where the holes had been found. This ad-
mission was only gained after Contractor
Mccain had reminded Hanks of the work
he had done.
REPORT TO BE MADE.
After the inspection Experts Mccarthy
and Wright stated that they could give no
opinion at present.
- Mr.. Wright and myself" said Mr.. Nc
Carthy, " intend to make a thorough inves-
tigation, and then, after a conference, we
will prepare report and submit 1t to the
Commissioners. AS yet we have not found
much debris, but some of the holes show
bad workmanship. We, of course, cannot
say whether the walls are unsafe or not"
Mayor Pond said he was convinced that
there had been good deal of poor work
manship in constructing the walls, but 10
how many men it is due it is not possible to
say now. The Mayor thought that Sub
contractor Mccarthy had not followed the
specifications, yet 1t could not be said that
he was aware of the crooked work being
done.
Auditor Strother desired to reserve his
opinion until tie investigation had pro-
ceeded further. While Hanks charges have
not yet been proved satisfactorily, some
important discovery may yet be made.
City and County Attorney Flournoy says
that while Hanks charges are not fully
borne out by proof, so far, there has been
some poor workmanship.
Everything will depend on the report of
the experts. If that declares the walls un-
safe there is no doubt but that the commits
sion Will order the contractors to recon-
struct the walls.
ARCHITECT o'CoNNoR's OPINION.
Architect p. J. O'Connor made a close,
personal inspection of the walls yesterday
at noon, and inclines to the opinion that
they are safe, Notwithstanding the holes
found. Ii would not be necessary tO tear
down the piers where the holes had been
found. 1t could be discovered by testing
them in places whether they were sound or
not Mr.. O'Connor thought that Hanks
did the crooked work himself AS for the
latter sentiment. Mayor Pond thought it
hardly probable that Hanks could be re-
sponsible for all the holes.
In regard to the charge that Hanks is re-
sponsible for the crooked work, state
ment made by Contractor McCann is per-
.inent. He said that during the month of
May very little brick work was performed
on the hall, as the contractors were obliged
to wait for iron girders and keystones.
During this time Contractor Mccarthy only
had four men at work on the walls who
were engaged in laying bricks. Hanks was
one OF the four men, and, so Mccain says
he was informed by Mccarthy, acted as a
sort of foreman over the other men. II
notice." said Mr.. McCapn, that where
Hanks has pointed out stuffing in the east
and west walls the bricks were laid during
this time"
HANKS ADMISSIONS.
Hanks admitted yesterday afternoon that
Superintendent Boyd had always insisted
upon good work being performed, and that
the crooked labor had been performed when
he was not on the scene.
The Grand jury yesterday decided to take
q hand in the investigation. Yesterday
subpenas were served upon Mayor Pond
and the other Commissioners, also upon Sec
retary SPOTS and Superintendent Boyd to
appear before the Grand Jury at o'clock
this afternoon. There is no doubt the
Grand Jury intends to institute a searching
investigation of the whole affair.
Although the Investigators were on th
scaifOlding for long time yesterday after
noon, no new holes were found. To-day at
10 o'clock the investigation will be resumed.