The morning call., 1892-03-22
TO BORE FOR BOTTOM.
Special Agents Gibs on and Brooks Much
Surprised Last Night.


There was something Of commotion at
the headquarters Of Special Agents Gibson
and Brooks in the Baldwin Hotel last night
when a CALL reporter stopped there and
INQUIRED if they had decided to commence
boring on the Seventh and Mission streets
premis es, which are now under serious con-
slider alton by tie Government for Post
Office site.
Commence boring?" replied Mr.. Brooks
with a lied expression. why. what
are you talking about? We've never done
or said anything about boring"
1t was then briefly explained to Mr..
Brooks. who, it appeared, was in complete
ignorance of the facts, that shortly after
dark last night truck, loaded with COM
plete outfit OF boring machinery, was driven
about midway Of the Seventh-5treet frontage
Of tie lot and unloaded. The parties in
charge tore of two or three boards from the
high fence that lnelOSeS The lot, and carried
tie apparatus inside
Can that be possible?" said Mr.. Brooks,
more amazed than ever, Are you sure
about that?"
Sure" replied the reporter.
Well" he added meditatively, Il don't
understand that No such work has been
ordered by Us, nor has our consent been given
taat anything Of the kind should be done.
I'm sure we would be the first to know
about it if any boring was going to be
done"
Al tils 1UUGAuIb nj. vi D5DU, WHO udu lust
returned from dinner, entered the room.
''Ah. here is Mr.. Gibson" interrupted
Mr. Brooks. Now. you will just tell him
what you've told me-"
The information was reaeatsd.
We'll. declared he exclaimed, 81 don't
see through that. Who do you suppose
could be taking such an interest in this
matttr?"
LET'S go I'D there and see about it. Mr..
Brooks, he added, turning to his associate.
Somebody may sink the whole site with
out our knowledge at this rate"
In a minute or two both had donned coat
and hat and were on their way to the Sew
enth and Mission streets property.
When they arrived there they found the
place exactly as described A hole had
been made in the high board fence and a
large lot Of boring machinery lay twenty or
thirty feet inside.
''Wellw exclaimed Mr. Gibson. ''If thew
haven't actually commenced operations"
Sure'S I'm foot high" assented Mr.
Brooks.
who's doing this?" inquired the latter
OF two men standing near, one of whom il
was discovered was put there by the con-
tractor who owned the machinery to watch it,
Couldn't say, sir, replied the Waterman
o,Di2nt you know whose property this
lisp" was asked.
mo. sir, L do not" again replied the
man who bored that well across there"
iuuicatihg large building On the opposite
corner
by that remark Mr.. Gibson knew at once
who 1t was. j. w. Lowe bored that well
referred to, and as soon as the Waterman
heard the name he recognized it.
BY persistent questioning for two or
three minutes longer the agents gained the
frank and positive statement that Mr.. Lowe
was employed by Colonel JOHN T. Irish.
one Of the Site Commissioners, to do the
work.
He's going to bore around here and
there" said the Waterman, by this time
quite free with his information ito find
out where the hard bottom is, and here
the swamp they talk about begins"
mo, they're not going TO do anything OF
the kind interrupted Mr.. Gibson. 81
think We'll have something to say about
this. When the owner of this machinery
comes here tomorrow morning you tell b i'm
not to do anything till he hears from me-"
"Tll see Colonel Irish in the morning as
soon as he comes over from Alameda, /"
added Mr.. Brooks.
On their return to the hotel, Mr. Brooks
said that, as the matter had got this far, il
might as well be further stated that the
authorities at Washington had instructed
them to get estimates for boring, but thai
absolutely nothing more would be done til
orders came from Washington.