The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-16
CITY HALL FLOORS.
The Question Discussed at Length by tho
Committee.


The Council Committee on Retrenchment
and Reform assembled in compliance with
the call of the chairman in the office OF
Captain A. b. Guigpn at o'clock yesterday
afternoon. discussion in reference TO mat
tiers at the City Hall was resumed. The
question of the material to be used In the
flooring of the building was brought up by
Mr.. Murphy. Some one stated that 1t was
understood that the lumber was TO be KIN
dried. and that IL would be better tor noor-
ing purposes If il were air dried.
IL was remarked that the contract for this
material had been awarded nearly two
years ago. and that with reasonable
amount of air-drving. followed by the kiln
drying process. the material would be in
much better condition than simply TO have
been kiln-dried alone. After elaborate dis
cussion upon this matter 1t was decided
that subcommittee consisting or
Messrs. Allen and Gray should call upon
Colonel Cutshaw. the City Engineer and g.
certain what he really intended to do in this
connection: also that experts in timber and
construction should be- requested TO appear
before the committee this afternoon at
o'clock, when the committee will be en-
lightened upon the question. IL is the de-
sire of the committee TO have Colonel Gut
shaw or a representative present at this
meeting, and the engineer will be invited TO
attend.
The gentlemen who will be requested to
appear before the committee, ct its session
this evening are Messrs. Il Wiley DAVIS,
Charles L. Davis. Charles Whitlock, Charles
Hardwicke. Edgerton 5. Rogers. Albert y.
West Marion j. Dimmock and I. IL.
Reed. Jr
The meeting yesterday was an outgrowth
of a meeting held on Thursday afternoon,
at which the new City Hall was inspected.
The committee made the most rigid e1ami-
nation Of the structure and were convinced
that there has been spent on the hall con-
siderably more than is necessary, and that
some grievous errors have been made In
the construction of the building. There
were no provisions made for heating or
! lighting the building in the original plans.
and much money has been spent to make
proper arrangements for electric wires and
steam pipes. The Ventlation OF the sttue-
/ ture is admirable.
The committee made inquiry about sew
eral other matters. The door TO the clerk 8
/ Office of the hastings court room was found
! 10 have been enlarged two inches after its
| original construction. Mr.. King asked Mr..
i Bates why this was. and the latter replied
/ that il was made necessary by an error III
/ the work. :,
Then that is an unqualified mistake, y
| said Mr.. Guigon.
Mr. Allen: How many men have you at
work here. Mr.. Bates, outside those en-
/ ployed under contract"
MIR Bates Not over ffty-two. including
/ the carpenters, as far as the city is concern
/ ed We could not employ more than that.
| The men would be in the way of one
another
Mr. Allen: rs Mr.. Gibson superintend-
/ ent herey'
Mr. Bates "Yes. sir"
Mr. Allen Does he work here all the
/ time."
Mr.. Bates: Yes sir; except during his
/ dinner hour"
Mr. Allen: docs he have an assistant"
! Mr.. Bates: He has leader. Mr.. Gibson
/ is paid IS per day and his leader twenty-five
cents more than the others employed on the
/ same work
In passing out of the building Mr.. Allen
remarked that he could not help admir-
/ ing the solidity OF the hall, and that II
would be great monument to the city fol
years TO come.