The morning call., 1894-12-13
THE HALL TOWER.
Design Has Been Finally
Agreed Upon.
ALL EXCEPT THE CLOCK.
Terra Gotta to Run All the Way
Up to the Ball.
THE BALL WILL BE COPPERED.
The Winged Figure to Crown 1t All
Is Nearly Ready for In
spection.
THE BALL WILL BE CoPPERED.

The City Hall Commission held an I'M
portant meeting yesterday afternoon, at
which the new plans for the big dome.
which contemplate fitting il up for the
occupancy of the signal station of the
Ere Department, were discussed and de-
JeImined upon.
Architect Shea was on hand with the
drawings and blue prints of the tdwer, and
also written statement explaining 10
detail just what il means to MAKE the
changes. The original plans. among other
things, contemplated the electroplating in
nickel or silver of the steel plates OF the
upper dome. The change in this respec
provides Tor covering the frame of the
dome with fireproof terra Gotta, and the
bali surmGunting the dome to present an
outer covering of copper.
The tower is to be fitted up in such man
ner that floors may Re put in any time and
the whole made ready be- occupied.
In his communication Architect Shea
says that the contractors agree In case the
commission decides to abolish the electrr-
plated steel plates and cast-irOn orua-
mental work OF the upper dome as origi-
nally specified to provide as a substitute
aud within the original figures Of the con-
tract to encase the steel-sructured work
or frame Of the dome proper with freproUt
terra Gotta as stated.
Further his communication says: "The
structure work of the ball surrounding
the dome will be inclosed with sheet iron,
the entire surface including all orr amental
ribs, crossings and window archiLraves
com plete to be covered ana formed of
heavy sheet copper.
1.-The fireproof floor to be constructed
below the seat OF the dome, 200 feet above
the street level, comprising eight rooms,
10 feet high, with twenty-four window,
openings, will tase the entire outer cir.s
conference of the dome at that level.
"Twenty-four windoW-openings will fig
ure above tina seat of the dune and twelve
at the line of the top of the second order.
An elevator frame will be put in, extend
ing from the top of the inner dome to the
top of the main dome, and provisions
made for placing at any Time in The future,
if desired by The city, OF floors at the var-
ous levels which are marked by window
o enmgs, thereby making II possible TO
utilize every portion of the entire structure
from the rctunda floor to the top of the
dune.
II nave also thoroughly studied distribu-
ton oil the brickwork Uf the dome, ec0nO-
mixed in material sufficient to provide at
the line of the base of the second order an
exterior gallery floor of patent lights, 6 feet
wide ana go feet in circumference, which
will illuminate with a flood OF sunni ht the
inner proposed glass dome OF the lower
rotunda, affordin z to that portion of the
building a cheerfulness which could not
be otherwise obtained.
THAT your body may appreciate the
exact conditions regulating the above
changes" says the communication, 81
deem 1t necessary to state, through the
presentation of some figures, the manner
in winch said conclusions have been
reached.
The original estimates presented by the
NJ r, tbfa s., 49,
covering OF he dome were as follows:
The electroplated Observation-Disclosures. $17.5O0
Oast-lron WORE i0O00
The steel plates. 5000
Total ...................... $50, 500
Taking these figures as basis. [ have
estimated the value of the work proposed
to be su bstituted for the above as follows:
"Terra-cotta filling, $1,000; sheet-c' pper
covering. S24, 600; fire alarm station floor
with necessary Openings, $4,000; thrly-sX
window orenings, elevated frame and pro-
vision for floor, as above mentioned, $4,000
Making almost balance with figures of
original estimates, viz, $33, 900.
"NntWlths anding he fact of the ap-
proximat balance in the estimated value
of he different characters of work | feel
that the change, with the additions pro-
posed, without extra cost to the city, will
be advaatagrou, not only from a stand
point of good construct q, but also from
point of interior utility and the facility
afforded In enhancing the exterior de-
sign"
The commission agreed TO adopt the
suggested changes with the consent of the
co tractors, which Mr.. Shea said was
already assured.
Mayor Eler suggested that clock
ought 10 be put III the tower and Com
missioner Creswell thought so also.
Broderick, however, thought it would be
difficult to put up clock sufficiently large
to De of service. Shea said the adopted de-
sign would admit of clock very readily,
but it should be at least eighteen feet in
diameter.
The clock was allowed to pass for the
present.
The statue to crown it all was said to
be nearly ready for inspection.