Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-28
GOING TOSEE WINDOW
Colonel Andrews Will Try to Hurry
the Government Building.
he MAKES A STRONG CHALLENGE.
Willing to Put Up a Forfeit That He Can
Finish the Job This Year.
OBJECTIONS TO PRESENT METHODS.

Colonel James P. Andrews went to Wash
ington last night, ostensibly on business,
incidentally to call the attention of the Gov
ernment to the progress of the work on the
new postoffice. The Colonel expresses his
opinion as to how and why the wsrk could
and should be improved upon in a forcible
manner. At the Union depot last night he
said:
"I am going to Washington, but would
like to have it understood that am not go
ing there on the postoffice mission expressly.
1t may be that the subject will never be
mentioned, but as my business will bring
me in contact with Secretary Window and
| Mr.. Windrim, the supervising architect,
NAV touch upon Ehe matter in some way.
What could 1 say, other than to point out
the manner in which that building is going
up, as an outrage on the people of Pitts
burg. 1t has been in process of construc-
tion for don't know how many years, and
goodness knows how much longer it is 60
| ing to take.
TROUBLE TO PEOPLE.
'In the meantime our citizens are put to
| all sorts OF inconvenience, the postofice is
unable to handle its business properly, the
sessions in dark, dismal dungeons of rooms,
and all to insure some of the politicians q
situation.
IF the matter is broached while I am
away, intend to assert that that building
can and ought to be finished inside of nine
months. What is more, 1 will say right
here that although am not a builder, in
the professional meaning of the word, yet
am prepared and willing to post a
forfeit of 100000, or for that matter
my whole fortune that 1 can finish that
building from pavement to roof, furnish it
inside and outside complete, paint it, orna-
ment it, embellish it in any shape or man.
ner the plans call for, and have it entirely
ready for business by the 1st of October.
The streets have been hampered with guy
lines for years past holding up a forest of
derricks and about 40 or 80 apathetic men
to work them. Why not have couple of
hundred hands? Why not make those der
ricks smoke instead of crack with frost?
PLENTY OF STONE ON HAND.
"In spite of all that is said to the contrary
there is plenty of material on hand. The
yard is full of it. The couple of thousand
feet of stone which are laid in month could
be as we'll done in day."
"Should the Government request you to
take charge would you do so?'
81 cannot say. am no builder, but to
bear out my assertion might take hold. If
1 do am willing to stake both my reputa-
ton and fortune that will finish it in the
time stated. If 1 fail will willingly pay
for the entire building myself"
A close friend of Col. Andrews was met,
who was aware of the gentleman's inten-
tions. He stated that in case he did bring
the matter before the Washington authori-
ties, there was hardly doubt in the world
but that his opinions would have great
deal of weight, not only more on account of
his acknowledged skill as a scientific con-
structor, but also on account of his intimate
friendship with Secretary Window, with
whom he was in business at one time.