The morning call., 1890-06-14
NEW CITY HALL.
A Report by Experts Made to
the Commissioners.
Bad Work in the Walls Condemned-Wit
nesses Testify as TO What They Know
Concerning the Matter.

special meeting OF the Board OIL New lily
Hall Commissioners was held yesterday for the
purpose of investigating further the charges
made by Brick-ayer Hanks OF crooked work In
the northwestern wing OF the hall.
Applications were received for positions as In
spectors on the hall from E. Lund, Peter Rob-
erts, Peter Sexton, j. b, Cavanaugh and Thomas
L. Bender, and Cavanaugh. Bender aud Roberts
were chosen as the three inspectors.
EXPERT wRIGHTs REPORT.
The report OF Architect Wright upon the con-
dition OF the walls was then read. II is as fol-
lows
SAN FRANCISCO, June IL, 1890.
To the Honorable Board Of city Hal Commits
his Honor the Mayor to examine into the present
condition OF the walls OF the Larkin-street north
west wing OF the new City Hal, beg to state that
there have been up to the present time about forty
three openings made in different parts of the
structure. OF these about one-fourth have been
found filled with rubbish in greater or less guam
tity. In about one-hfth defective briekwork was
revealed, while the rest of the work examined ap-
peared to have been properly laid. In most of the
places found defective the walls can be repaired
ana rendered sufficiently strong for the weights
they have to carry as there is an abundant margin
OF strength remaining TO insure the stability OF the
structure.
1he most serious defects. however, have been
found to be In the four great piers supporting the
heavy iron girders, nearly 100 feet long, which span
the wing from side to side These piers Will have
to carry at least $50 tons each, and must be well
built from bottom to top. They have been found
filed with rubbish for part OF their height and
should he taken down to the bottom OF the present
steel beams on the floor below and rebuilt in the
best manner In cement mortar, In accordance with
the strict terms OF the contract.
The two piers adjoining the old work have also
been found filled with rubbish and should be taken
down and rebuilt so to render the connections Of
the with the old work perfect as possible
in good condition regards the exterior walls, and
may be considered sound construction. The de
feetive arch in this story, in one OF the interior
walls can be taken down and rebuilt, and the other
defects in this portion Of the building can be rem
eded without difficulty. have examined the work
,-.u.s hpf and nf
good materials and wo ramanship throughout. Very
respectfully submitted. JoHN WRIGHT.
ent condition of the two upper stores OF the new
City Hail. and beg to say that subscribe 10 the same
i'll every part cular. JOHN MCCARTY.
CONTRACTOR MCANN's VIEWS.
Secretary SPOTS then read the following COM
municaton from Contractor McCann:
To The Honorable Board Of city Hal Commission
erS-GFSTLEMEN: We beg leave TO make the fol
lowing observations concerning the subject of our
work on the City Hall and we have remained silent
deSignedy until the sensational reports OF the news
papers should become somewhat exhausted.
We are the contractors with your board for the
construction of the northwest wing of the city Hail
the construction OF the brickwork thereof; and for
the performance OF his work he has been and is hir
ing brick-layers from time TO time when needed.
Among others he hired one q. X. Hanks, who is
good 6rck-layer but apparently crafty designing
man. who has served a term in the penitentiary Of
this State for a felony.
our information enables us to say that Hanks
caused about TWO barrels OF broken mortar and
brick, known as stui1ing, TO be placed in few
separate places within the brick walls upon which
be was employed and that he intiInated 10 some of
his owworkmen that BY doing secretly it
would subseq ueutly become source OF profit by
selling his information to the newspapers or using
it TO exturt silence money from the contractors.
Hanks, being good brick-layer, and OF more than
average meItai activity aud general intelligence,
Mr.. Mccarthy permitted him to act foreman
from time to time in his absence from the work.
OF course MIR Mccarthy had no knowledge during
this time of the moral standing OF Hanks. His
posi- ton sort of foreman enabled him the better
to carry out his evil designs aud to put up and
execute his job.
Under the spur OF inaanmatory and sensational
newspaper literature, and the professions of such
persons Mr.. Riley, this little subject has gained
unmerited notCriety Between nifty and sixty
holes have been bored into the brlekwork con
structed by Mr.. Mccarthy; and only in very few
about four in ALI has there been found anything
but frst-class work and hrst-class material and
Hanks alone, In pursuance OF his evil designs
placed in those few places, not to exceed In all two
barrels OF broken brick and mortar. The price Of
enough frst-class brick and cement, such as our
contract calls for TO supply the places occupied by
this much "stuGag" would cost about $40.
The amount OF our contract with your board is
$50 $50, and the amount OF Mr.. McCarthy'S con
tract with $4,000, and II requires no argu-
person would Knowingly resort TO such small trick
for such small gain under such large contracts,
even II his conscience did not interfere, and even
If assured against being discovered
We have been contractors III this city, Singy and
in partnership Tor over twenty years and our repu-
tation enables us to command large bonds rom kiud
and substantial friends anu uelghborS. We have
done much work, public and private, as contract
ors and we can fearlessiy refer TO every one with
whom we have dealt Tor expression on our c1arAC-
terS. Ana we nope 10 De aOIe TO 90 the same Wheh
our contracting days are at an end.
We have dealt with Mr.. Mccarthy good deal. and
found him correct, truthful, reliable and HON
est. We cannot chInge our estimation OF him or
relations with him by reason Of anything which
Hanks may say do. We feel conscious OF the
fact that it is unpleasant and even dangerous to
ones peace aud character to have any relations with
such man as Hanks appears 10 he. But Hanks got
his opportunity and has played his little trick, and
Mr.. Mccarthy is dealing only with us. We are the
only persons who are dealing with your honorable
board. We the contractors TO whom you look
and consequently are prepared to make good
whatever harm Hanks has committed. So most
respectfully request that you indicate what is proper
TO De done in this matter, aud We shall cheerfuly
attend TO il. We have objection TO the public
knowing all about the public business, but the more
expeditions and busiuesske the matter can be dis
posed of the better we like 1t.
Most respectfully subscribe ourselves,
RICHARD MCCANS,
q