The morning call., 1893-07-30
NO MARBLE SHAFT
A Majority Against the
Tall Tower.
The New City Hall Commissioners
Decline Shea's Design-MOre
Plans to Be Submitted.

The new City Hall Commissioners de-
voted several hours to an architectural
discussion yesterday, with special refer
ence to the tower which is TO complete the
structure. The talk was the outcome OF
motion TO rescind the resolution accepting
Architect Shea's tall marble shaft and or
derng its construction.
Mayor Ebert. Auditor Brodelick and
City Attorney Creswell were all present
and expressed their opinions in turn.
Creswell got the floor first and spoke at
length. He stated that he had examined
the law governing the commission and
found that it required the building to be
constructed as originally planned. AS law
officer of the city it was his duty to enforce
this law. He personally considered the
Shea tower superior to the LAYER design,
but would not allow his individual prefer
ences to influence him. He would not vote
for the construction of the LAYER tower II
he thought it would crumble away. If it
were unacceptable he would advocate de-
lay until the Legislature met, when the
law could be amended.
In regard to the question OF cost, the
Shea tower would not be IN the Interests
of economy. It's designer had estimated
its cost at 100000. Four years ago BIDS
for the iron work. as provided by the
Laver tower. were made by local firms.
the lowest being S164.OOO. An additional
$780, 600 was liberal estimate fol- the bal
ance Of the work. Iron is now 20 per cent
cheaper than four years ago. Attorney
Creswell believed the LAYER tower could
be erected at a total cost Of S250.00O.
Referring to statements about the weak
Creswell stated that the rOtunda had been
examined by several engineers. He quoted
Calvin Browns opinion that the support
could bear eight times the weight of the
LAYER tower. Lyman Bridges had pro-
nOunced the brick walls strong enough for
weight ten times that of LAYERS tower.
He concluded by pron0uncing the argu-
ments against the LAYER tower as deceptive
and elusive. He said the law must be OBJ
served, and economy would be secured by
following out the original plans.
Auditor Broderick advocated the mer it's
| of the Shea tower. He said that no spec-
fcation had ever been made of the LAYER
tower. which existed simply as picture.
| 1t was intended for building with m an
| sard roof, which had been ca ST out by the
original commission. Architect LAYER had
| estimated that his plans could be executed
| for 81. 500 600, and the Legislature had au-
| thoriZed the raising Of the money. Bonds
had been issued by the commission for
| $3.50. 900, and the property around the res
| TEEN LAYER plans were S'.Omltted to a
committee OF architects who reported that
| the building could not be erected for ST.
100000. LAYER had then modified his plans
| by eliminating the mansard roof and the
two McAllister-street wings necessary for
the LAYER tower, but Mr.. Broderick said
! that he was opposed to the roof, which
would be merely an expensive forty-fOOt
garnet.
He said that LAYERS tower was objec-
| tionable because it was proposed to finish
| it in galvanized iron. 1t would then not
be fire-proo!, because a hot blaze would
melt every seam. He preferred Shea's
marble shaft. He concluded by stating
that of the $4,000, 900 expended in erecting
the building, 20 per cent had gone for sala-
ries. He said that the ghost OF LAYER had
been stalking about the hall for twenty
years. and but for its presence the hail
would have been finished generation
ago.
Attorney Creswell remarked that mar
BILE shaft on a succeed building would be
like a pair Of overalls wittoa dresscoat.
Broderick replied that he would not vote
to reconsider the acceptance OF Shea's
tower until better plan was offered.
Mayor Ebert said that he would vote to
reconsider. He was opposed to the plan
OF LAYER because the tower could not ne
built during the life Of the administration,
and. if possible, the building should be
completed when his term expired. lie
urged the acceptance of a modlficd de.
sign. He said that Architect Shea would
submit some more plans next Saturday,
He disliked Sbea's marble shaft, and had
always opposed its acceptance.
The motion to reconsider was carried
Broderick voting no.
Architect Shea reported that the services
OF a superintendent of construction wore
no longer necessary. The Office was there
fore declared vacant after August j. AL
three Commissioners. in voting aye, stated
their high appreciation OF the fidelity
and competence Of w. G. Hughes. the re.
firing superintendent, whose services, the
Commissioners declared. had been en-
inently satisfactory.
|
Chool;Skoe reaSfAd