The record-union., 1891-09-01
STRENGTH AND BEAUTY.
The New Mercantile Building in
Sacramento.
Information Concerning the WeinstoclS
Lubin & Co.'s Building Given by
Expert II. S. Wood.

|
and X streets. in this city, began it has
been an object of interest, because of its
novel character, its architectural pecul-
iarities and because OF its great size, its
vast interior open space, and its many
exterior openings.
! The character of such a building be-
comes, therefore, matter in which the
people are interested The builders and
proprietors recognize that fact, and there
fore called in Wright & Sanders of San
Francisco, well-known architects, to
consult with their architect, w. Fl. Ham
ilton. They also went to what is
conceived to be the highest and best
authority in the State regarding strength
in construction and materials, the San
Francisco Bridge Company, and solicited
1t TO send an expert TO occasionally eX-
| anime the building as 1t went up.
The RECoRD-UNION, however, con-
ceived that the public is independently
! Interested in knowing the exact facts,
since the public is to be invited to go into
the structure, and because III it are TO be
engaged large number of wage-earners
of both sexes.
Yesterday, therefore, learning that II.
5. Wood Of the San Francisco Bridge
! Company was in the city, Il representa-
tive OF the RECORD UNION called upon
| him and put to him certain direct queS-
tions calculated to draw out his views
fully regarding the building, and the re-
suit is given below.
ii. S. Wood, c. e., it should be
pretaced, is the chief constructing and
! examining engineer of the San Francisco
| Bridge Company, the largest engineering
and constructing concern west of the
| Rocky Mountains. Mr.. Wood came to
his present position Of high trust from
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
with which he received his training in
the structural department OF that great
corporation. lie was for four years also
in charge Of the bridge and depot roof
construction department OF that COM
pany. These facts ascertained we
proceeded to question Mr.. Wood.
Are you familiar, Nir. Wood, with the
construction Of the building on the COR
ner Of Fourth and X streets, which has
attracted SO much attention because Of the
novelty Of its design ?''
Il think | am"
"WilI you, in public interest, give US
! your views concerning lis strength and
general character?"
certainly. At intervals, by the spec
ial request of the owners, l have been put
GDon the duty Of examining the structure.
have given it three examinations dur
ing its erection. l have just gone over it
| finally"
You, of course, did so critically?"
Yes, | examined all parts calculated
to support the weight Of the building and
the contents it is to hold. AS the build
ing stands to-day, / can positively report
that there is no element of weakness in
any Of those parts OF the structure which
| are subject to considerable loading. AS
said, have in three examinations care
| fully estimated the strain for each class Of
| material used, and have been aided in my
! critical work by the keen perception and
! excessive caution OF the membe Of the
firm erecting the building, whose con-
stant presence and oversight have not
only been carried into every technical de-
| tail suggested, but have also caused to be
added features which render dOubly Sc
cure all the parts concerning which there
! might be even the shadow OF q doubt"
''YOur examinations have been well
separated ?"
~ es, at widely separated periods dur
ing the construction"
''Is the weight as much upon the pillars
inside as upon the walisY'
Yes, fully as much upon interior as
exterior supports, The short lengths are
caSt-irOn columns, and those of longer
reach are the famous Phoenix wrought
! iron or steel columns, eXcelling all others
according to the exhaustive tests made
by the United States Government at
! WatertOwn, New York"
ing what you are saying TO the general
public; not for architects, builders, own
erS or engineers, bat for the people to
whom this building is, you must confess,
a novelty and, therefore. calculated to
| excite their curiosity. Now, then, what
are you prepared 10 say to the public as
an expert concerning the genera, charac-
ter of the building and its stability"
''Well, III addition to what have said
| the critical review of the structural parts
l have made, has also been with view
| to possible vibration by earthquakes,
| which in this State are the most severe
and unforeseen strains that could come
upon building of such bold and effective
| design. The roof trusseS were arranged
! particularly with large flying brackets to
counteract any earthquake distortion, and
Will carry ten times the weight they are
| intended to carry. Then the iron lattice
! girders on the level of the top gallery are
/ designed to check any side bending of
| the higher columns from similar causes"
How, MIR. Wood, about the open
ings?"
"The distribution of the floor weight is
! so largely on the interior columns that it
! has permitted the use oflarge and frequent
! windows, which, with other architectural
features, make the building the most per-
fectly lighted interior it has ever been my
! fortune to observe"
"How about the exits?''
safety of the public in the matter of
direct and rapid exits, seems to have
| been consulted with success, and it GER
tainly needs no word of mine to urge that
Sacramento should congratulate herself
on the possession of building whose
! bold design, brilliant lighting and con-
venient arrangement, with its architect
Iral beauty, place it at the head Of simi-
lar buildings in the State. Let me add
| that the architect, William H. Hamilton,
| is entitled to high praise. He has every
reason 10 take pride in his achievement"
There is nothing more to ask, Mr..
Wood, you have probably exhausted the
subject"
u am willing to go into any detail that
| is desirable, but believe | have given YOU
the general facts as / find them"