Los Angeles herald., 1891-03-14

to this time about four and one-half
million brick. OF these somewhat less
than a million Came from Inglewood.
Whilothese Inglewood bricks were be-
ing used the inspectors time and again
objected to them. Finally it was under
stood than an inspector should be placed
alongside the car when the bricks were
being taken off, and all Objectionable
bricks left on the car land returned to
the kiln. These rigid public servitors
rejected as few as so or go bricks out OF
a carload, and returned them to the
kiln; yet they passed the other
brick, such as these which crush
at 500 pounds pressure.
The reporter then went to see Mr..
John S. Park, of the City bank, one of
the sewer company. He said that he
had been in the bank, of course, nearly
all the time, and knew but little in de.
tail as to the work done. The COM
pany's instructions to their superin-
tendents were to follow implicitly and
without question the orders of the city's
inspectors. These instructions were
followed to the letter. There never was
a brick used in the sewers that was OBJ
jected to by the city's inspectors, and
there never were any bricks used until
after these inspectors had passed on
them. The inspectors were present at
all times when the work was being done,
and any work objected to by them was
then and there done according to their
orders, and to their satisfaction. Mr..
Park said, we got the best brick to be
obtained here under the terms of our
contract; and the inspectors signified
their approval of all we did. He said
further, that the company's claim is
that the work is done we'll, and that the
sewers are a job that will stand the SUI
preme test of use and wear. In all
cases where the new city engineer has
found defects, the company is ready to
remedy them. Any other defects dis
covered will be treated in the same way
without question. Then committee
will be selected to inspect and pass upon
the whole system as soon as it is fin
ished, which will be soon. The COM
pany will abide without question by
any decision reached by any COM
petent and honest committee. Yes
terday he asked Mr.. Dockweiler what
brick would satisfy him. The engineer
named that made at Inglewood, and Mr..
Park at once went to see Mr.. Freemanin
reference to the matter. Mr.. Freeman in
formed him that he has no bricks to spare
and will not have any for long time
to come. His kiln is run at high
pressure speed, but all the bricks turned
out are sold ahead.
In view of this cold recital of facts, it
looks as if Mr.. Freeman is right when
he says any fault that exists in the
sewers must rest on the shoulders OF the
persons who drew the contract on the
part of the city, and on the inspectors
who rejected good brick and passed on
poorer.
The sections OF the specifications
bearing on this matter are as follows:
"The brick masonry shall be con-
structed of best quality of hard burned
brick, and laid in cement mortar of the
quality above specified. The bricks are
to be thoroughly wet by immersion i'm
mediately before being laid. Every
brick is required to be laid in full
joint of mortar on its bed, sides and
ends at one operation. In no case is
mortar to be slushed or grouted in after
wards. The joints at the inside of the
sewer shall not be wider than one
quarter % of an inch; and the joint
between the rings of the brick work
shall not be less than one-half % inch
in thickness. Every course OF brick to
be laid to line.
''All materials to be provided by the
contractor, shall be of the best descrip-
tion; and he shall furnish all efficient
labor and implements necessary for the
full and complete performance of his
contract. If any material or implements
should be brought to the ground, which
the city engineer may deem to be of i'm
proper description or improper to be
used in the work, the same shall be re-
moved by the contractor as soon as
practicable.
whenever sewer is commenced by
the contractor the city engineer will fur
nish an inspector at the expense of the
city, and it shall be understood that said
inspector is the authorized agent OF the
city"
The contract between the city and the
contractor contains the clause exclud-
ing the use OF brick made in yards
employing Chinese labor.