The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-13
A BUDDENsICK JOB.
Main street Engine House Settled Ou
of shape.

Main street Engine House Settled Out
Of shape.
The foundation of the Main street fire engine
house in South seattle, near Eighth, one OF the
prettiest Of the buildings for the fire depart
mens, now completed. has commenced settling
ing, directly over which Is the tall, picturesque
tower, is fully six or more inches lower than the
opposite corner.
The cause OF the settling 10 said to be due to
the marshy nature of the soil and the careless
and very poor manner ia which the foundation
YVES laid. Architect Alexander and tContractor
Bell put up the building only few Weeks since,
at an actual cost to the city of something owe
$780, and serious charges of poor workm anship
aud failing TO live up to the terms OF their
contract are being made against them.
Word was sent To Chief Kellogg from his cap
tain at No. SIS engine Sunday that the building
was threatened with caving, and going out
there he found veW deplorable condition of
affairs. The whole corner OF the building had
settled so that the lower floor, where are the
horses and engine, is series of ridges and
waves. Although not plainly noticeable the
captain in charge said that the north half
oil the building was also settling aud that the
floor was highest in the middle. Up stairs
where the fremen sleep, the extent of the 81 K
ing could be seen to q better advantage. ihe
series OF upright columns or pillars. that line on
the lower floor against the ceiling TO hold and
brace the second floor in shape, have been
forced through the tongued timber, ana being
weakened. afford little or no protection to the
second story.
Yesterday Chief Kellogg said ssThe house
has settled so much that an S-inch terra Gotta
sewerage pipe under the building, upon which
the joists of the floor rested, has been crushed
and We have had TO put men TO work to dig
under and take out the broken pipe" Chief
kellogg spoke warmly about the unfortunate
a. L.. -.
building was laid IN anything but proper and
common-sense manner. The place where the
building rests is at all times OF the year
marshy aud springy slough. 1 went out there
when the building was commenced, and though
not q mechanic, was surprised at the manner
in which the work was being done All that
was used for the foundation, after the excaya-
ton, was some little blocks of wood set up
right on 2-inch cedar planks. l raised kick
O. called the attention OF the fire and water
committee 20 the matter At the time"
The chief thought that. although the building
is settling steadily, it could be slaughtered out
By being lacked up
at is the worst case ever heard of. and it's
enough to make anyone mad, !" said Councilman
Frank TwichelL The condition OF the build
ing suggests not only mighty poor work, but
poor judgment on the part of the committee in
accepting and paying for the job The men
who took the contract were paid for complet.
Ing the building and doing thorough work, and
they haven't done 1t by any means There is
something wrong somewhere. The committee
shoaid have Investigated the work performed
before paying for the completion of the house.
Upstairs great deal has been left unfinished.
and the contractors were also short in their
specifications. The Main street engine-house ia
one OF the pret;ies. put NJ, aad its shame that
II was built in such Buddensick manner"
Speaking of the necessary repairs, Mr..
Twiehell said: "A crew of men will be put t.
w.rk 70 brink the bGilding back TO its proper
position this morning. II will probably be
necessary 10 ex svate and put in brick foun-
dation under the whole building. Ne can't Tell
how much Il will cost to repair the building
until We ind ons how much exeavating has 10
be done, bar II is safe to say that IL Will cost
something ike s., COO"
Abe cou+ cilmaa did not know whether the
men who tooS the contract could be made 70
stand responsible Tor the repairs, as the com.
mitsee mad accepted their work aud relieved
them of their boad.