The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-14
boobies TRACKS.
Serious Charges Against a
State Contractor.
Frauds in Connection With the Con-
struction of the Home for Feeble
Minded Children atsGIen Ellen.

a dispute between Victor Hoffman and
Andrew McEiroy, two contractors, in re-
gard to their interest in the contract for the
erection of the Home for Predetermined
Children at Glen Ellen, Sonoma County. has
eliminated in some startling developments
pointing to extensive frauds In the erection
OF the buildings.
Mr. Hoffman, who resides in Alameda,
claims he had an interest in the contract
which was awarded TO MeElroy for the
three buildings just erected.
MeElroy refused to recognize Hoffman in
the transaction, bu. finally consented to
refer the matter to arbitration.
The arbitraters found that Hoffman was
entitled TO about $1,000 Of the profits on the
construction aud $1,000 more on bricks sup
piled. McEroy refused TO be bound By the
decision. Hoffman thereupon retaiiated by
filing serious charges against McElroy with
the State Controller.
As about $4,000 is coming to McElroy on
the final payments for the work he is likely
70 encounter some difficulty before be re-
ceives his warrant for the amount due him.
Mr.. Hoffman charges that after the con-
tract was awarded the specifications were
altered in a number OF instances by Me-
Eiroy and that he finally performed the
work In accordance with bis own speeifca-
lions.
de alleges that where specifications called
for Puget Sound lumber at S23 a thousand
feet. GuerleVilc pine at 81 was substituted;
that wooden instead Of iron lathing was put
in the elevator shaft, and that quality of
flooring for roof sheetng was introduced
much inferior TO that called for by the origl-
mai specifications.
Mr.. McEroy was asked by a CALL re-
porter what he had to say in regard to Hoff-
Oh, IL
never altered any pec.heations, and that
the accusations grew out Of an attempt to
blackmail him. He declined TO say any
thing further until he had seen a copy of
the charges.
About year ago scandal was brought
to light ia connection with the building OF
the Home for Feeble minded Children. A
young man named Jordan, employed on the
brickwork OF the boys wing, claim med TO
have discovered. in attempting to connect
the wing foundation with the Kitchen
building foundation. that the latter had not
been laid within four or five feet of the
depth called for by the specifications. Ills
discovery involved him IN an alteration
with Michael RedmaD, the superintendent
Of construction, and Jordan and his father,
Dennis Jordan, were discharged by Red
man.
The attention of the trustees was then
called TO the defects In construction and
several others were also indicated The
IuStce5 nIItu al expert TO 90 over the work
and appointed day TO meet Jordan. The
day was Friday, but the expert and the
trustees did not show up till Saturday. Mr..
John M. Curtis, the architect, who was en-
gaged as the expert. reported that the work
had been done according TO contract. except
that some OF the bricks used had not been
thoroughly burned. The subject was then
dropped.
Mr.. Dennis Jordan, q contractor, who had
the contract for the br ekwork in the BOYS
wing. was seen last night by a CALI, re-
porter. lie denied int he had brougltany
charges against MeElroy. He had had
some trouble with Redman, and he had no
doubt the charges Of croOkedness In con-
necilon with the work done or the building
would be established at the right time. ais
son, and not Lr, had brought the original
charges against Redman. the superintendent
OF construction.
Mr.. Jordan said that all the bricks used
by him IN the building were made by white
labor on grounds near the building. and
that the mortar was according TO speci fiea-
tons.
The total cost of the construction of the
home was about sl50,000 TIE architects
are Copeland d Pierce Victor Hoffman
supsTintended tue work for McEroy. the