The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-03-29
NO NEED OF OUTSIDERS.
OUR CONTRACTORS HANDLE THE
BIGGEST JOBS SUCCESSFULLY.
The Rapid Construction of the Great Loan
and Trust Building Proof OF This
Contractor Tanning Gives Some Inter-
esting Information About the Stone
Trade.

"The work on the Loan and Trust Company
building" said Mr.. Joe Tanning, the CON
tractor, who has the stone work in hand, ssgoes
rapidly on and will soon be completed"
"What is the amount of stone in the build
ing ?" was asked
"Just $4,000 cubic feet" Mr.. Tanning re-
piled, (which is 1,500 tons. The time it took
to set this stone was very short, considering
the quantity of material handled. The first
stone was set on September 16, 1890, and the
last on the 10th of this month Thus the
actual time expended was just six months.
Besides, we lost fifty-eight days on account of
bad weather, and in waiting for material. 1t
has been generally supposed that in order to
erect an edifce of the dimensions of the Loan
and Trust Company's building in short time
it would be necessary to call in New York
contractors. But 1 think we have demon
strated the fallacy Of this idea, inasmuch as
the entire work, with the exception of the
iron work, which is being put in by Bartlett,
Hayward & Co., of Baltimore, has aud is be-
ing done by local men. 1t has been quite a
surprise to the Washington people, and here
after when large buildings are to be erected
the New York men will not be resorted to,
but the city contractors will be given the con-
tracts. Postmaster General Wanamaker ap-
preciates the beautiful structure, and has ex-
pressed his appreciation in very compli-
mentary letter to Mr.. Warner, the president of
the company.
"The manner of setting the stone is of the
best possible. Each is bonded alternately,
and every one is securely clamped with heavy
galvanized iron. The stone used is from Blue
Hill, Me-, and one of the richest in effect /
have ever seen.
speaking of the stone business" }" continued
Mr.. flaming, sit has increased at least IS per
cent in the last two years and the disposition
to use more stone in construction is growing
constantly. Especially in combining stone
and brick is this noticeable. Formerly the
combination of terra Gotta and galvanized iron
was extensively used, but it is rapidly being
superseded by brick and stone"
"Where does most of the stone used in
buildings in this city come from ?'' the re-
porter asked.
"From Hummelstown, Pa The Loan and
Trust Company were the first in this city to
use the stone from Blue Hill but the effect
has been such as to insure it's popularity as a
material in the future. Occasionally though
rarely, you see green stone in private houses
That comes from Chester, Pa. 1t does not
seem to be very popular with builders.
''fo return to the stone business" Mr.. Fan
ming concluded, 81 last year handled busi-
ness of $150,000, which is equal to the amount
handled by the entire stone-cutting fraternity
five years ago. The whole number of stone
men in this city did not employ as many men
at that time as do now. One thing that
gives the stone contractors golden views for
the future is that nearly all who build houses
here now are disposed to use great deal of
stone in their construction and trimming"