The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-30
new CITY HALL WORRIES
A Hitch Over the Stone Con-
traet-Trouble With the
Piling.

For the second time this year Patrick Con-
molly, to whom has been awarded the con-
tract Of piling for the foundation of the new
City Hall, is depositing piles on the site,
preparatory to beginning his part of the
work. All the contracts for the construction
of the new building nave been awarded.
Contracts are now being drawn up.
Persons notfamiliar with the inside workings
oil the whole affair would naturally
imagine that the greatest harmony prevails
ana that there was not a hitch anywhere.
me old adage that "Al that glifters is not
gold' is peculiarly applicable to this case.
In the first place, a day rarely passes that
some person, familiar with the cost and con-
stfuctlon OF buildings, does not appear at the
CITY Hall and declare that the building is
costing more than it should. In substan-
tlatlon OF this declaration the new
oitS han, now in course of construction
at PATERSON is cited as an example of how
much cheaper other cities lave work done
Than Jersey City. Paterson's City Hall is
ABOUT the same size as Jersey City's and
about the same pattern, and differs only in
Polnt OF expensive decoration, which it has
Arch1tect Broome to grace it with, Paterson's
Clty Hall costs $2e6, 0G0 and JERSEY City's
about 1914, 900.
TROUBLE OVER STONE.
The City Hall Commissioners decided also
on what IS called the tHoosier lime stone.n
or a stone its equal. The "Hoosier lime
stone" Is being furnished to Paterson at the
rate OF q cents per cubic foot, while Jersey
City Under its contract is paying IS cents
per cubic foot. This increase Of ID cents per
cubic foot is explained as resulting from
the combination of stone men which caused
such dlsgraceful scenes a few months ago
work.
Now the commissioners are investigating a
report that the 'sHoosier Lime Stonen
quarry is exhausted, having worked out
completely. The company furnishing the
stone is the Bedford Stone "Quarriesn Com
pany of Indiana. The report that the
Hoosler quarry is worked out, and
that for the privilege of secur-
ing this particular stone Is cents per
cubic foot more is being paid for it than
Paterson IS paying and that such difference
in price on the $4,000 cubic feet of stone
work in the City Hall amounts to S $3.50, is
giving the commissioners some slight worri-
ment. The matter is to be looked into by
Architect Broome before work is finally be-
gun.
TROUBLE ovER THE PILING.
Apart from the stone predicament there
may and probably will arise some difference
of opinion between the commissioners, In
spector Tallman, and Pile Driver
Connolly. OF all the contractors
Mr.. Connolly is the only one whose bid was
accepted under the first advertisement,
a was last winter. He signed his contract,
but the seal OF the city was never affixed to
it. However, Mr.. Connolly was directed to
prepare to proceed with his part of the
work. He purchased about $500 worth of
piles, and had them towed to a convenient
spot at the foot of Henderson street. From
there he hauled about two hundred of them
to the City Hall site, Then came the con-
clusion to acquire the whole block and
change of plans.
He was unable to proceed. About fifty
OF his piles were stolen or drifted away dur
ing the nine months he was unable to pro-
coed. His money was tied up, and he was
finally compelled to drag the piles he had.d de
posted on the City Hall site to other work.
Now, Mr.. Connolly believes that he is en-
titled to a little extra" pay. For instance,
interest on his money. the loss of his piles
and his own work. The contract signed
by him has two s~ureties, and he
is of the opinion that no new contract is
necessary as the old one is drawn up in legal
form and signed by every one necessary.
save the officials on the part of the city. he
may decline to sign a new contract, having
signed one already, and if he does some
legal advice will have to be secured to adjust
the difficulty. Again, there is a hitch over
the specifications for piIing as Drawn
by Architect Broome. Mr.. Connolly
maintains that the specifications
call for a certain sized pile at the head to be
inspected on the site by the Inspector. In
spector Tallman contends that the specifca-
lions call for a certain sized pile at the head,
when cut off to conform for the foundation
masonry. As the difference of an inch, or
even half an inch, in the size of a pile greatly
| effects its cost price, there is likely to be q
lively contention between Inspector and CON
| tractor.
INSPECTOR TALLMAN'S CLAIM.
In conclusion, Inspector Tallman is look
| ing for a years wages at the rate of SIS per
day. He was ordered to report for duty last
| December under a resolution offered by
Commissioner DATE. He reported and has
figured as a silent sentinel in
Mayor Wanser's Office ever since.
The commissioners have never paid him q
| cent, and a suit for the recovery of his back
wages will probably be the outcome of the
matter.
When completed the new City Hall will be
a magnificent building, but interesting
events will t~ranspire at frequent intervals
| before Architect Broome ornaments the roof
beams of the building with a branch of a
tree symbolical of completion.