The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-09
REVIEW OF THE WORK
Report Of Engineer to State
University Commission.
PLAN OF FUTURE EXTENSION.
o" the Various Buildings May Be
1rouped About Beautiful Grounds
experimenting Operations.

Al the last meeting Of the board OF university
ianu ana building commissioners Fred ]. Plum
nef' the engineer, presented q comprehensive
report OF the work already done.
MS appointment went into effect April Il, 1891.
ms nrst work was the survey Of the sec.
.ion OF land between Lake Union and
Lake Washington In accordance with
the report then made the commission
selected for the university leo acres In the south
ern part. On August 10 the work of clearing the
tlact was begun, and several test holes were
SUM- TO determine the character OF the ground
Tor heavy foundations. Mr.. Plummer also made
careful study OF the subject OF an artesian
water supply, and in an elaborate report ex-
pressed the opinion that water would be struck
between 1000 aud SEQ feet below the surface.
Later on the strength OF a report from the en-
ginesr and the architect, w. E. Boone, the board
ordered the site for the administration building
graded. Accordingly Mr.. Piummer secured the
largest stump puller in the state, and let the
contracts for teams and scrapers TO J. n. Foye &
son, the lowest bidders. The organization OF
the force OF men had been complete for emily
nine days when, on October 10, 1891, the work
was stopped because Of the defect in the law
under which the commission was acting.
Together with the report are a number of In
teresting drawings to show the work as far as IL
had progressed and as projected. One drawing
exhibits the plan OF ultimate improvement, the
within the next fifty years be erected. The ad.
ministraton building is to occupy the most
commanding site, facing the east, with q beauti-
full view OF Lake Washington and the Cascade
mountains In the immediate foreground viii
be a campus, nearly level, with q chapel at the
south end. The dormitory site Is just south Of
the administration or main building, and has o
view OF both lakes. 1t is to overlook the botani-
cal and experimental gardens, which are to be
south of the botanical hall. To the north Of
the main building is to be the chemical and
physical hall, which win be connected By cor
ridor with the structure comprising the power
house, manual training sheds and school Of
mines. The Latin and legal hall will be next in
line, and separated from the library and art aail
by q small ravine crossed by bridge. South
west of the library will be the astronomical OBJ
servatory, located upon knoll and
commanding view from the transit
house due north.and south. This building will
be as far as possible from all disturbances. The
club and boathouse site is on the point north of
the observatory, and In front will be q wharf
and boat landing. drive will lead up the hill
to the gymnasium, in front of which may be a
running track an eighth OF q mile long. The
hill slopes will be graded of in the form OF
small fortress for the use of military students,
and q low ramp will form a safe wall. North
Of the railroad will be an athletic ground
The county road will be diverted to cross the
grounds in the rear of the main line of build
ings. The main boulevard will enter from the
south and Immediately command view of oil
the buildings in perspective. 1t will follow the
building line as far as legal hall, whore down
grade to the wharf will begin. Other landscape
features will include walks and broad prom.
enades, natural woods, an aquatic garden with
q breakwater in the little bay south OF the
boathouse, and an aquarium on the lake front,
near the southeast corner OF the campus.
An appended table shows that the expeudi-
lures in the work were s7,s45.o5. The cost of
clearing per acre was 627O; OF stumping $66.44
and OF grading per yard .0S9. seyenty-six acres
were underbrushed and cleared up; ffty-six
cleared and burned, and twelve stumped and
grubbed. The earth moved amounted to 1850
cubic yards, and 500 feet OF dirt trestle were
built for a railroad switch.
The report concludes: 1t will be readily
understood that the first few days OF work
of this magnitude cannot be considered indi.
cative OF the skill employed in management
but an examination of the figures will show
that the results compare very favorably with
all work OF similar character. - The
sudden stopping of the work so soon after its
complete organization, was deplorably expens-
sive to the state, it required time to find each
mans best abilities and use them to advantage.
Where the running expenses are over $500 day,
stopping and starting is costly.