The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-29
ALLEGED DEFECTS
INVESTIGATED.
The Home at Glen Ellen Visited
by the Trustees.
Charges Of Defective Construction Found Not
sustained-Trustee Gibbs Fully Satisfied
With the Contractors Work

An investigation was held yesterday by
the Board of Trustees for the Home of
Feeble minded Children, situated short dis
lance from Glen Ellen, into the charges
made that the new building is defective in
construction and not in accordance with the
plans and specifications
The board made personal visitto and in
spection of the home. The Trustees who
went to Glen Ellen were President George
W. Gibbs and Trustees Oyerton of Santa
Rosa and Logee of Petaluma. The female
members of the board. Mrs. Lathrop and
Mrs. Judah, did not accompany the board
on its trip of inspection.
The Trustees also took with them the
architects OF the home, Copeland and Pierce,
and Architect Curtis as an expert. The
board also insisted that Dennis Jordan, the
contractor, who was the cause Of the reports
Of defective construction being circulated.
should accompany the board in its eX-
amiDations. State Superintendent of Con-
struction Redmond also formed one of the
party, and tho Trustees spent almost the
entire day in its inspections.
President Gibbs was seen by CALL re-
porter at his residence last night in regard
to the trip and questioned in regard to its
results. He said:
JORDAN AMONG THE MISSING.
''When we started to inspect the building
and looked for Jordan, who made the
charges, in order that he might point out
the various defects, he could not be found.
1t was discovered that he had left the
grounds, and was seen no more by the
board until we saw him on the train coming
back. State Superintendent Redmond then
showed the Trustees and the architects the
various portions of the building where it
was claimed the contractor had made de-
fectve work.
The contractor who did the work was
man named McElroy. The boards expert,
Architect Curtis, made a careful examination
OF the entire building, and he will make
report 10 us In writing. what that Will be
l don't know, as il viii be written ont.
From remarks he let drop | believe his re-
port VIII he favorable 10 the contractor. l
will tell YOU that the Trustees are perfectly
satisfied.
Il have built many buildings and own
many, and know what l talk about. | had
100000 bricks thrown out of Grace Church
when it was built. | believe that the home
at Glen Ellen has been properly constructed
and in accordance with the plans and speci-
ficatOns and l think the charges grew out
OF malice.
REASONS FOR THE MALICE.
Contractor Mccain has the contract for
the boys wings, which are to be 200 feet
long He appointed Dennis Jordan to SUI
perlntend the work. 1t was all right but
the front part, which is to be put in stock
brick, superior brick for facing.
when Mr.. Redmond, the States Super
intehdent. saw the work. be complained of
II, and Architects Copeland and Pierce con-
demned the work. All had TO be taken
down. Mccain discharged Jordan, who
then circulated the stories of deficient con-
structiOn in Contractor McElroy's work.
Il can also state that during the recent
heavy earthquake no damage was done to
the building with the exception Of cracking
little plaster and breaking one pane Of
glass. Trustee Logee stated to me that he
had been as properly constructed.
Il have heard that Contractor Mccain is
the same one who had trouble with his
work at the new City Hall, but we will
watch him pretty close and see that his
work is properly done"