Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-15
WANT INFORMATION.
COUNCIL COMMITTEE ,SspEcre TAe
NEW CITY HALL.
RE Bcssdsre Essminss sreu Basemsns
20 Top Of Tower ana Many Cues.
lions Askcd.

Retsenchment and Reform-thaf the new
City Hall Is a acknowledgements
building. and that II hss cost great 1enl
more than would have been necessary bah
It not been for certain charges that have
beer rssor.cd TO In connection with pro-
u<ions for gas, steam, and water-hxiures
nd electric wiring for the structure.
Tho committee made tour Of examrna-
tim through the Hall yesterday and en-
tered into a most rigid inspection OF the
entire promises. Messrs. Allen chairman.
Guieon. Murphy. and King were the mefn-
hers OF the committse presens; anoy
that the City Engineer should De insi.en
10 accompnly them through the building.
In obedience 70 this action the Chairman
called upon Colonel Cutshaw and request
cd BIN to 90 with the committee,
The Colonel stated that he would gladly
do SO. bat that he was very busy Just NJ
that tune. he dcpntizcd ms assls'snl'
Mr.. Edward s. Bates. TO escort the gentle
moa, and tho party. accompanied os y
p.spATcu REPORTER. started tbroagh t1e
hall. From tho first floor 10 the sGmnit
Of the tower the building was examiner
and the work going Oh noted. ... -
The cornmittec was called to the newly-cut
chaeas IN the walls. Mr. King, III SPEAK
ing 70 Mr. Bates. said
.Onaht not those chases have been LETT
In the building
Mr. Rates, "'fhev could not, SIR
Mr.. Allen: . Was there no provision
made for electric-wiring and gas-pIping IN
Mr.. Bates mo, there were no provi-
sions Tor heating OF lighting the building.
"a those presented in tho plans we're con-
sidered unsatisfactory. as ! remember IL.
u. sfx11LA1INo ARRANGEMENTS ADMIRABLE.
The gentlemen In passing through the
rooms noted the veDtilGtiDg arrangements,
which secmed 10 be admirable. The
modelling where TIE piaster eoi-
nices and borders are being made, was
next visited. The work here Is most m
ts,estirg and was viewed with eagerness.
ON the committees going to the eastern
and OF the maiu hallway OF the fret hoor
their attention was drawn 10 the excava-
ton Of the biz PIT beyond the building.
Around this huge stone wall Is being
built. $50,
nj work on that wall. Mr.. Bates. when
,uany more could be employed. tnereny
causing the Job to be completed much
sooner" II, -
Mr.. Bates "Only four men can work on
IT. owing TO the tact that we have only one
derrick. Five men were put at WORK on
the wall at FIRST, but IL became necessary
10 take one off. Yes, the pit sometimes
fiIls with water in rainy weather ana u mas
TO DO drawn out"
Mr.. Gnigon. referring TO o second wall
near 10 the building: why was TINS
arca wall so built that II would be neces-
sary to remove the UNDERMINING
Mr. Rates: " can't tell you anything
about that. The boilers for the hall will
he in thlS excavation and not in the base
meut az the building. II was originally
intended that this hole should be but half
rs large as II Is.
ONLY ONE DERRICK PRACTICABLE.
Mr. Bates explained that owing to the
difficulty experienced IN removing ths
earth only ono derrick could be operated
In the excavation.
On the second floor the inspection of in
terror work was resumed. Further con-
yersa.ion concerning the cut chases was
had. and Mr. Allen began an interrogation
of Mr. Bates, as follows:
In other words, Mr.. Bates, the arc1i-
tect went ahead and drew up plans Tor the
building without leaving provisions Tor
lighting or heating Z"
mir. dlates: There was steam-heating
system which was UNSATISFACTORY anu hS"
TO he changed"
MI. King: "Can you give us any idea OF
how much these changes have cost the
Nr. Bates: II cannot. sir"
Mr.. Allen: "Then you started to build q
houso 10 cost more than millionot dol
lars without steam-heating or lighting
mans. did YOU not, Mr.. Bates?"
Mir Rates, "'lbeso matters were subse
ouentlv considered. Certain provisions IN
regard to them were made as the building
progressed c.-t
Mr. Guigop; Colonel Cutshaw ought
20 be here
ME. ALLEN EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Allen; Colonel Cutshaw has dele
ca.ed NJ. Bates in his place. ITO Mr.
Hates Now, Mr. Bates, we want you to
nnderstand that il Is IN no manner OF COM
plaint that 40 question you IN regard 10
these things Ne nre o committee from
The people TO investigate the work going
on in the CITY Hall. and we are here to
fulfl TINS duty" ANN,
Continuing. MIR. Allen said: Ihen
the committee (meaning the Committee
on Grounds and Buildlngs)-i wall nut 1t
in that wey-did not make any arrange
ments for the distribution OF the heat TO
be generated in tie area ont there q,
Mr.. Bates: no. SIR; II was decided
that it would be better 70 cut the pipe
holes lust where we would need them"
Mr.. Allen clted an instance where n
house built in this way showed plainly or
the outside OF tue wall where the chases
Mr. King said to construct building
without leaving provisions for these things
was something that he never heard of be-
fore.
AN ERROR IN work.
The committee made inquiry about
several other matters. The door TO the
Clerks Office of the Hustings-Court room
was found 20 have been ENLARGED two
incbes after its original construction. MIR.
Kong asked MIR. Bates why tins was. and
the latter replied that IL was made neces-
sary by an error IN the work.
"1hen that is nm unqualifed mistake"
said MIR. Guigon.
Mr. Allen, How many men have you at
work here. MIR. Bates, OUTSIDE those EN-
ployed under contract"
Mir. Bates; MOT over fifty-two, in
GLIDING the carpenters, as far as the city is
concerned We could not employ more
than that. The men would be IN the way
Of one another"
tondent herey"
MIR. Bates: Yes, SIR"
Mr.. Allen, docs he work here all the
timer"
hir. Bates: Yes cir; except during
his dinner hour"
Mr.. Allen: "Does be havo an assist
Antf"
MIR. Bntes; "He has q leader. Mr.. Glib
BOB ~ paiu ~ lti way anu H'e 'S"uVt 80
cents more than the Others employed on
the same work.
In passing out OF the building Mr..
Allen remarked that he could not help
admiring the solidity Of the hail. aud that
II would boa great monument to the city
for years 20 cone.
Tho committee adjourned TO meet in
the Office OF Mr.. GuIgon OF 4 o'clock this
afternoon.
RESERVOIRS AND PUMPS.