St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-12
Commissioners Were Criti-
cised and They Vigorously
Resented.
Mysterious Conditions Sur
rounded the Death of the
Late Charley Ames.
w. S. Ray, Of Goodfellow &
Co., Dead--News OF the
City Briefly Sketehed.

city hall commission, held in the lum-
Der exchange last night, brought out a
great many interesting facts concerning
the mammoth municipal building. The
meeting was called for the purpase of
coming to an amicable understanding
on the matter of appropriation,
the commission having asked
the delegation to secure sufficient
money. by legislative enactment, to in
sure the completion Of at least the coun-
ty part of the building. Emerson Cole
acted as chairman Of the meeting, and
E. NJ. Johnson was delegated to answer
all questions for the commission. He
stated that a great deal had been said
about the commission that was unjust
and unfair. They had been criticised
severely for paying the architect per
cent as fees, while, as matter of fact,
this compensation was by no means too
great.
I'VE have asked" said Mr.. johnson,
"fOr 81, 10000 additional to complete
the building inside and out. Now,
while the present estimate is 100000
more than the estimate of TWO years
ago, it must be taken INTO considera-
ton that great many new items
have been added which were not in
cluded then. Among these items might
mention electric lighting, mosaic floor
ing, arrangements for the detention of
prisoners, heating, ventilating and 9th
ers. The members of this commission
were placed there without their con-
sent, and they have no personal feel
ings in the matter, and are willing to
go on and finish the building with any
amount that the delegation may see fit
to give them. However. an appropria-
ton is necessary and 1t should be made
al once"
In speaking of the manner of letting
contracts, Mr.. johnson stated that the
utmost care had been exercised to let
them to the lowest bidders, whose bids
were consistent with good service. Fig
ures were then adduced to show the
present status OF the finances and
cost of the building. The totals are
given below:
Estimate of 1891 ......... -. s., 7S0, OBS 81
items not included in said esti
mate Observation-Disclosures. -. -. 256.60O 90
Increase on account of improve
menI of work $500. 80. :. 52s. Cos 90
Increase in estimates on mate
rial ................,.... 1908 70
Estimate Of Dec. 20. 1892 49,. :. S., 39S, 239 70
Deduct cost of site. ....... =. 81, Aus 90
Expense account and architect
tees ..................... 173 975 30
Present estimate of cost of
building ..................-.S g., 9j2.o56 ~
1t was stated that in order to COM
plete tine county part of the building
and inclOse the whole building, also
supply the heating and lighting plants
for the whole building. it was necessary
for the commission to have 81, 167, 900,
provided the present plans were carried
out. The remaining 100000 could be
raised, according to MIR. JohnsOn's way
OF thinking, by taxation. one mill to be
levied each year for six years. In this
manner the whole building would be
paid for and the citizens would not feel
the burden Of taxation to any great eX-
tent.
Senator Mcmillan requested Mr..
Johnson to tell him why the board had
changed its mind i'll such peculiar
manner since two years ago The board
at that time was positive that the build
ing could be completed Oh the figures
presented at that time. but now it came
forward and asked for over S500,000
more. He would like to know what
guarantee the people would have that
the board would not, two years hence,
come out and ask for another $500
He intmated that perhaps some press
ure had been brought to bear. George
Bracket took otfense at the remarks of
the member of the delegation and made
a rOuSing speech, in which he roasted
Senator Mcmillan not a little. He said:
ave can build that building cheaper
than it is being done, and all you have
got to do is to say the VOID and we will
do it. We can throw out the marble to
be used for WainscOting and substitute
wood, and thus save 100000. We can
cut off some of the elevators, close up
to the city's half entirely, and
We dislike this criticism. We
did not come here to be criticised and,
if you don't like the way we are doing
things, why change anything and every
thing. We don't propose to stand here
and have knives stuck into us fol moth
ing. We have endeavOred to do our
duty and are willing TO continue to, but
there is no necessity for any person or
persons to treat us unfairly and inSinu-
ate heaven knows what"
Senator Wyman took the floor, and,
assuming the role OF peacemaker, as
sured Mr.. Bracket that the delegation
had nothing but the kindliest feelings
toward the commission, and no one of
the members had q thought of wrong to
insinuate. He thought, perhaps, the
commissioners were tritie too SenSi-
tive. Senator Mcmillan declined to be
thrust aside. however, and remarked
that, although he had no inten-
ton Of impugning the motives of
Mr.. Bracket OF any member of the COM
mission, he wanted TO know if they
would give bonds to finish the building
for the sum they asked fer and not
come again in two years and say they
needed $500 900 more. The commission
ers laughed at the idea of furnishing
bonds, and Mr.. johnson remarked that
he would not furnish bonds for work he
did for nothing.
Senator John Day Smith took whirl
at the architects and remarked that, in
his opinion, the per cent charge was
outrageously high.
0. T. Erickson, superintendent of
construction, advanced a good idea in
speaking of how a saving might be
made in putting up the building. He
stated that the top floor of the building
would not be needed for some years to
come, and that it would not be neceS
sary to fit it up at all. This meant
big saving. Mr.. Wyman then remarked
that he thought it better to stop work
OH the building for some years
when the county half was completed.
The board of tax levy could then ar
range for the taxes. Judge Fish, who
was present, stated that the board of
tax levy had no authority to levy taxes,
but that the power belonged to the vari-
Gus county and city boards, and that the
delegation could fix the maximum in
the bill. Senator Wyman then said
that the people were against the CON-
pletion of the building because Of the
burdensome taxation involved. but Sem
ator Smith did not agree with him. The
latter was of the opinion that if the
question of completing the building
or not completing it were left to
a vote of the people, IS per cent Of them
would vote for the former proposition.
He made motion asking that the CON-
mission prepare statement Of the
present status of affairs, and the posi-
bic cost of the building and publish the
same in the newspapers over the sigma
lures of the officers for the purpose of
81,