The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-10-05

difference between the estimated cost
of the dam and its actual cost.
First-The excavation at the east
end of the dam was much deeper than
was first estimated, on account OF the
engineer having mistaken loose bout
ders for solid rock when making the
sounding. This required 29,6lS cubic
yards additional earth excavation and
additional expense of $8,914 60.
Second-The additional depth OF eX'
cavation required a correspond
ing increase il quantity Of mason,
ny. The specifications provided
that the granite should have the same
width Of beds as the height OF courses,
and the engineer based his estimates
on two foot courses while the specifl-
cations did not designate the height
of the courses. The contractor built
the dam in three foot courses, which
gave him three feet width of beds and
increased the cost of the granite
masonry $56, 793 80. The quantity OF
limestone rubble masonry was also
increased, but not in the same proper
ton on account of the increased guam
tity of gran to used. The engineer
calculated that large portion OF the
rock excavated from the canal would
be used by the contractor in the dam
at price lower than the rock brought
from the quarries, when in fact only
7l3 cubic yards OF such rock could be
used, and nearly all of the limestone
was hauled from the queries. The
increased cost of the limestone hubble
masonry ON this account was ST.
$3.50.
Third When the contract for
building the dam was LET, an allow
ance was made for only 1000 cubic
yards of masonry, that would proha-
BILE be laid N Portland cement in ex-
cess of that already provided tor. The
board of public works determined to
have the entire dam laid in imported
Portland cement, at fifty cents per
cubic yard extra, and this caused an
additional expense OF $44, $50 %.
There were also changes in some OF
the masonry laid on account OF the
change in the shape of the top OF the
dam, which amounted to S., 1897 40 and
these make the total increases am punt
to $134, 033 81
On the other hand the estimates of
the engineer were excessive in some
items, particularly in the matter of
rock excavation, and the amount paid
in such cases was $27 ,255 81 less than
the engineers estimates of the same,
making the total amount paid under
the contract on final settlement $106,-
777,90 more than the first estimated
cost Of the dam.
In addition to this the contractor
was paid $685. 40 for extras, which
were not included in the contract.
They were as follows:
For extra pumping rendered neces-
sary by the increased depth of foun-
iation at east end, ST., 1882; for extra
day labor in cutting trenches in rock
the use of explosives, 81, l24..
30; and for the difference in the cost
and sale of domestic cement ordered
by the contractor before the use of i'm
ported cement only was determined
upon, 1878 80.
The actual total cost of the dam,
including all extras not en-
Oraced in the contract, was $611 ,3l3 SO,
and the dam is there to stand for ali
lime to come as lasting monument
% the enterprise Of the citizens of
Austin.
HEADdATE MASONRIES, ETC
The contracts for the excavations
md masOnries for the headgates, re-
Urn and retaining walls, and rowe
fouse foundations were let TO Mr..
James Waterston and Messers Wat
,rston q WattiEger. The work
vas completed on May 18th
1858, and the amount paid the con-
Factors under their contracts was
S57 ,511.55 There was also paid them
the sum of 1851 IL TOR extras not in
GUIDED in their contracts, of which
$425.00 was for granite bedstones for
turbines, and $52612 was for extra
day labor, making the total amount
paid them $58, 1852 81.
Excavations for the draft tubes
were made by day labor at total
cost of $23l489
The headgates were made by day
labor and they cost, including all ma
terial used, the sum of $l337 60, to
which should De added $795.0O paia
Tor the gate hosting gears, which
makes the total cost of the headgates,
including gears, 1922 60.
The headgate castings, racks, and a
considerable portion of the iron pen
stocks were placed in position, and
the sum of $38, 473,5l has been paid
thereon.
The turbines, pumps, pulleys, etc
have been delivered, and $33, l66 O5
has been paid on them.
All OF the fire hydrants have been
delivered and paid for. They cost
$632S. so.
The contract for building the power
hou- . was awarded to Mr.. ri. H.
Breneman at $45, $50, and S9464.36 has
been paid thereon.
Contract has been made for electric
light dynamos with capacity OF
$4,000 l6.candle power in ;andescent
lamps, and part of the machinery is
now stored in this city, and the
amount paid on same is $279.S2
THE BREAK.
On the 30th of May last when We
were rejoicing over the completion o
the dam and the decision OF the su
preme court declaring our bonds lega
there occurred an accident to The
L l. I'll L.. -