The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-08-07
is BECOMING 0OOROUS.
Trustee Langhorne Thus Speaks of
That Costly High School
Building.
Tho Contractors Will Be Given a
Chance to Explain the
Extras.
And the Auditing Committee WIN re
port to the Board Wha They
Think IL Due.

ae Think IL Due.
8. F. Whalen, one of tho contractors for
the erection of the Central school building,
attended the meeting of the school trustees
last night In company with his counsel,
Francis Atkinson. The members of the
board present were Trustees Fitzpatrick,
Miller. Walker, Cans and IIanghorne. The
new high school building matter came up
on q resolution by Trustee Walker asking
the contractors to put on more men and
finish the building. Then, under the head
of unfinished business, the matter of the
bill of extras asked by the contractors,
Whalen d Grant, was taken up. Trustee
Langhorne said the auditing committee
had been unable to make a satisfactory re-
port Oh tho bill in the absence of definite
information, though satisfied the board did
not owe the contractors any such bill. They
had asked for moro details, but go far had
been unable to get them.
Judge Atkinson addressed the board ON
behalf of the contractors. He said they
were not asking the allowance of any ex-
travagant bill or to be paid for any service
not rendered. The principal item in the
bill of extras, $3.50, for change in the
style of masonry, WAS as specific az it
could be made. The other items were
smaller and might have been made more
explicit. On behalf Of the contractors he
could say that they were willing to afford
any light possible. They would meet the
committee and point out in detail the ex-
ira work. There was no disposition to in
sist on having the money in a lump with
out q proper understanding. He thought it
would be manifest TO any one examining
the contract and plans that a great deal
originally intended. At the same time he
felt sure the people did not want
the contractors to lose the money.
They had made a better building, one the
people were prouder of. and he thought the
leople were willing the contractors should
be fairly and reasonably paid for. If the
contractors had not earned the money they
sid not want it. But if they had earned it
he hoped the board would give them q fair
investigation and allow what was right.
Thu contract WAS a little ssvere in its terms,
but he thought it would be conceded that
on either side. Perhaps there had not been
that diligence there should have been in
pointing out the extra work, but none
of it had been done except
on the orders of some one
connected with the school board. The
the board to come to some definite conclu-
sion, either to allow the bill or not allow it,
or settle on some plan to adjust the matter.
Anything like a lawsuit should be the last
thing thought of by either party. The con-
tractors we're willing to do anything in ,ea-
son. The contractors claimed that they
had made n much more expensive job on
the stone work than they were bound to do
ty the contract, but this was a matter that
could be settled by competent persons.
Trustee LanRhorne said he had no dispo-
sition not to pay the contractors what was
due them. At the same time he would not
vote to pay one cent that was not right.
He was under the impression that the con-
tract specified just the kind of stone work
that was done. He was informed that the
contract called for the building of u sample
wall which was to be approved by the archi-
tect or by the board; that the contractors
built such a wall, which did not meet with
approval. and was torn down, and the whole
rebuilt as directed. The bill for $17. 51O
was the first intimation the board had OF
lowed such a charge he was not in favor of
it. 1t might be that the contractors were
entitled to something. The contract had
been let for $40. l50. Bills had already been
rendered for Sb3, 900, of which $4,000 had
been paid. Now comes another bill for
TGO.pUU III WSulu luHht Jig COSt IuOE6 DV
$4,000 than the original contract. He
would undertake to say that the building
was becoming Il stencil in the nOstrils of
the people. He did not accuse the con-
tractors of irving to rob the board, but
wanted them to convince him that they
were right. 1t struck him that it shouldn't
cost moro than SIT, 500 to build the whole of
the walls.
Trustee Cans said those were his views.
He did not intend to pay one cent hat was
not due. The board had already
allowed s., 100 for the .mern. work, the
whole of the bill. Now they asked for 5000
balance. There was n charge of $3.50 for
ruising material without a hoist. He
couldn't understand why the board should
furnish Il hoist.
Trustee Miller moved that the auditing
committee take the matter in charge again
and ascertain what WAS due, and report to
the board. 1t was carried, and the commit
tee and the contractors will get together
to-day and endeavor to arrive at an under
standing.
The building committee WAS authorized
to allow the contractor for the seventh
ward schoolhouGe to use granite instead of
sandstone on the foundation. provided there
ls no extra charge. A proposition to wire the
Central school building for electric light
ing, at n cost of 1857, was rejected.
A communication was received from Ar
thur O'Brien. plumber, calling attention TO
Vho law eHNs W auVuollOy VI ne pCAFu OF
some of its member the sewer pipe con-
nected with the high school had been
broken into and a connection made for the
drainage of the Central school building, in
violation of the ordinances of the city
and the rights of the contractor. In
Wow of this matter, Mr.. O'Brien asked
that the work Ion under contract for the
drainage and plumbing of the high school
building be accepted forthwith and his
s~ureties released, and that he further be in
IDENTIFIED in $500 against any loss he might
incur under his bond. The matter was re-
fcrred to the building committee. i
The matter of heating tho Central school
building was referred back to the building
committee. The board, which had decided
on hot water for heating, now wants to use
steam.
Big drive in table linen and towels ut The Bee
Hive.