Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-08-17
THE CITY HALL MATTER.
Dir. BARDoN SAYS THAT THE
BUILDING Is ALL RIGHT.
Does Not Think Fairness Was shown
His Firm by Mr.. Watson, the Er.
pert Architect.

Mr.. Bardon. Of the firm Of Smith &
Barion, the city ball contractors, was
seen by a Gazette reporter at his home
yesterday evening. aud asked what he
had TO say Of the report of Mr.. Wat
sou. the expert architect.
Mr.. Barton looked cool and calm.
and seetnd TO be taking things easy
and not boiheriug about business affairs,
ooh! about that report of Mr.. Wat
sons; II is nothing more than 1 expect
ed, but it Is great big blow about no
thing.
When Mr.. Watson came to make
the inspection, he volunteered 10 EN-
brace In his report what extra work
and finishing had been put on the build
no pay. but he simply ignored this all
the way through his report, and makes
out one that would lead the people TO
believe that we were not doing the fair
thing. We had not gotten through with
our work, as has been stated, but had
ceased operations temporarily, because
Of the fact that we couldn't see whore
the balance of our money was coming
from.
The amount due US is over $4,000
and we naturally don't feel like going
ahead Until some provision Is made for
this payment There never was a build
ing the size Of our new city hall that
wa nNlsut1 UP Mlluoul SDult EiiuEtss
No architect IN existence can foresee all
these little details which are gone over
and some few changes made. We are
now, that Is. we intend making some
changes when we begin the work again.
all of Which we intended TO make be-
fore the Inspection was made. Mr..
Smith aud mysef heard yesterday about
noon that there would be special called
meeting Of the council on Tuesday after
noon, at which time MIR. WatsOn's re-
port would be submitted. / met several
aldermen who knew. or protested To
know, nothing Of it and little later
met Mr.. Watson aud asked If he had
heard Of the special meeting and II his
report would be submitted. Mr.. Watson
remarked that such was not the case
aud that before his report should 20 in
he inteuded to show Il to me and Mr.
Smith, OF course after Mr.. Watson told
me this l thought there was mistake
anu went bone to dinner satisfied that
there would be no special meeting.
After came from dinner, however. [
learned the true state of affairs. and
from the action of Mr.. Watson and sew
eral aldermen, II would indicate that
the meeting was TO be in star chambers
50 fur as my firm was concerned The
Gazette said yesterday morning that Mr.,
Matson's report was adopted, but in this
II was mistaken; 1t was simply submit.
ted. About that truck painting on the
tower, When it was pointed out to
Mr. Merrannn he gladly retOuched the
work. We were not treated with fair
ness By Mr., Watson In his report. III lie
had stated where we had gone TO OK.
pense aud trouble in work that was not
called Tor in the plans and specifications
as. kind Of an offset to those things
pointed out n his report, we would have
felt more Ike we had received justire
at his hands. At the time the city hall
contract was drawn up. u form that had
been passed upon by the courts as being
ail rlghl, was, submitted TO the committee,
hut lnasnnch ms 1t stated that, should
any question arise over the work II
should be settled by arbitration, Il was
not accepted.
INSTEAD, the city attorney was in.
structed TO draw up contract nn,inr
which the city hall was built. 1t stated
that the work should be passed mon
by the committee and architect before
being accepted, and when the architect
said piece of work was all right tbls
was final III tell you there Is nothing
In all this talk about the building not he
ing built to conform TO the specifications.
1t Is pnt up according to contract, and
when we are ready TO- turn 1t over we
have no fear that II will not be accepted"
MI William Caps of the firm Of
Cupps x Ctnty, attorneys for Smith &;
BardOn, was seen, and when approached
by The Gazette reporter. simply laughed
over the matter. When asked what he
knew or hal TO say about it. he re.
marked that all he knew about 1t. was
what he had seen in the papers He had
not even had talk with his clients
about the natter. Did not think 1t OF
enough Importance. THE building viii
be accepted all right. and you can Just
say that in The Gazette tomorrow" re.
marked Mr. papps.