The morning call., 1893-01-25
HOMEMADE BEAMS.
They May Be Used in the
New POStOffiCe.
ARCHITECT EDBRoOKE'S VIEW.
The Interesting Trip of Eastern Men
to the Pacific Rolling-Mi!is and
the Union iron Works.

w. j. Edbrooke. supervising architect oil
the Treasury Department, in company with
Frank ETygla, in pectJr of public buildings,
and others visited the Pacific Rolling-mills
and Union Iron Works yesterday. 1t was
an important trip for San Francisco In
general and the rolIing-mills in parti cular.
as tie question of whether the State was
capable of supplying satisfactory ironwork
for the new Postoffice or not depended for
solution upon what Mr.. Edbrooke saw yes
teTday.
The party consisted of the two gentlemen
named. ex-senator Fair. Collector of Ia
ternai Revenue Quinn. HarbOr Commits
sioner c. o. Alexander, Superintendent III.
Ii. Lynch of the Powell.street Railroad,
DR.. Bailhache of the Marine Hospital, j. n.
Knowles of the Raymond Granite Company.
ii. A. SchuZe. Baron Won FalKenberg and
others.
The harbor boat Governor Markham was
in waiting for the party at the foot of Mis-
sion street and conveyed them TO the Pacific
Rolng-mills wharf after pleasant trip
about the bav.
Manager keeney and Superin tendent
Noble of the mills met the company at the
wharf and conducted them through the
several departments of the works, carefully
pointing out the many interesting sights
and showing their guests the mastery
manner in which the crude nG0t Is trans
formed into steel leans ana bars in the
hands of the skilled mechanics Of the
Potrero.
The machine-shops were first visited and
the impress ion made upon the distinguished
gentlemen from Washington was delightful
to see.
The wheels were whirling by hundreds
with an ease and stiffness and rapldlty that
took Supervising Architect Edbrooke by
storm. He observed the mHn working skill
fully and earnestly at every detail or
mechanical science and turning out class
of work that could not be eXcelied in any
of the large machine shops IN tho East.
At the foundry the superior character OF
the forging and drawing was as much OF
surprise as the scene In the shops had been.
The glowing furnaces worked beautifully,
and the steel that was taken from them was
heated to a degree of nicely and then drawn
with an exaetness and care that left moth
inc for the critic 10 complain about
The great hulkDg machines, That looked
at first glance unweldY and unmanageaole
enough, under the control or the masters
hand performed their duties with dis
patch and perfection that argued for their
almost human intelligence.
The Washington gentlemen stood agog
with establishment. Such perfected ma
chiDery In far California
Tie appliances at the FORCES struck them
as CpHpltNts nc DlS lndCiiiuC
!, wheeled about at the bidding of the
mechanic at the levers, flung open door in
the furnace. thrust In great steel arm with
graphing fingers. seized upon glowing
mass of iron and drew 1t forth, snapped o
the furnace door. and turning 10 the draw
Ing machines flung the quiyerng mass on
truck that was prepared TO receive 1t, and
then moved leisurely away with an ease
that was astonishing.
The sight of that working crane finished
the Supervising Architect of the Treasury
Department. and he meekly followed the
exutlng officials ont OF the works and on
into their back Offices, where a luncheon
had been prepared to revive any of the
party who might be overcome at sight OF
the way IN which work Is done al the Paci-
fc ROllng-mil,s.
The party, which was delightfully."- So
cable one at all times. became particularly
so when ushered into the presence OF
daintily set tables.
This is a great State" said the visitors.
rubbing their hands in glee.
The Native Sons were not surprised at
Calif0rn las abundance or the pr0digal hos
pitality of the Potrero magnates. They
were too much accustomed to b th.
After luncheon the Union Iron Works
was visited, the battleshiD Oregon. now
building. was seen, and the Monterey in
spected with much interest.
Then the party returned TO their tug and
were soon well under way back 10 San
Francisco. An extended detOur of the lower
part of the bay was made. and the city was
not reached before o'clock.
Mr.. Edbrooke expressed himself as de-
lighted and most agreeahly surprised at all
he had seen during his days visiting at the
mills. 1t is highly probable that the iron
beams and other iron work Of both the new
Postolice and ferry-hOuse viii be made at
the Potrero works
When asked for his opinion on the Post
Office site Mr.. Edbrooke said he thought it
was superb. and particularly valuable be-
! cause away from the main street of the city.
II am anxious 10 have Congress fix the
! appropriation limit" he said. IF / could
proceed with the $4,000 that we already
have work On the foundations might begin
| at once.
III the limit of expenditures be placed at
! 81, 100000 San Francisco will have beauii-
full and complete Postofice within three
years"