The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-07
City Hall Contractor Will
Not Remove the Bricks
in the City Hall.
BLACK EYE FOR BR00ME
Architect Kreitler Points Out How
to Stop tho Leaks-Judge
Blair's Ultimatnm.

know what Mr.. English intends doing
about the variegated glazed bricks
which disgrace the corridor, halls and
closets. The specifications call for
bricks of uniform size and color" and
the bricks used as told in 1.-THE News
before are all colors and sizes. They
were condemned last January by the
Commissioners and ordered removed. Com
tractor English has refused to remov
them for the reason thai he bought
them through Architect Broome.
do you propose removing those
bricks?' asked Mr.. Burke.
Il will have to see my counsel about
hat matter" was the reply. IT have
ordered bricks enough to finish the
work.,
do you intend doing the brick work
according to specification asked Mr..
Burke.
Il " don so,s he replied.
Il would suggest that we nave bids ad-
vertised for, for his brick work. I am
getting sick of this monkey business =
said MIR. Burke.
do you refuse to remove those con-
demned bricks? asked President Pearson.
Il do was the reply"
do 0 think these bricks are up to
your specifications, Mr.. Broome?" asked
Mr.. Burke.
81 do in some cases. was the evasive
reply.
DISCIPLINING THE CONTRACTOR.
Mr.. Broome then proceeded to call the
Commissioners down in a most astonish-
ing manner, about what he would and
would not do. The upshot of the scrap
was the passage of a resolution compel
ling English to notify the Board in writ
ing within one week, if he proposes re-
moving the bricks. If he does not bids
are to be advertised for.
"The bricks were condemned by .Ex-
pert Maybricke., said President Pearson
II shouldn't think you would have
much respect for Maynicke," interrupted
Broome
The 1900 architect was given another
black-eye on the roof question. Archi-
tect Kreitler examined the building a
few days ago and submitted the follow
ing report:
I'm accordance with you instructions I
have carefully examined the roof on the
new City Hall, with a view of determine
ing the cause of the leaks therein, and
the remedies therefor and thereby re-
specially report:
THESE NUMEROUS LEAKS.
"The numerous leaks in the roof, Wis
IDLE in the attic inc on the ceiling of the
towers and the pediments, and under the
ting of the roof adjoins the sides of the
towers and the pediments, and under the
crest mouldings on the top of the ridges.
These leaks are caused, first, by improper
joints, and open connections between the
galvanized iron enclosure of the towers
and the woodwork of the window frames;
second, by imperfect Hastings and broken
or improperly cut tiles where the steep
parts of the roof connect with the sides
of the towers and pediments, and by open
joints in the stone above the flashing at
side of main central tower On Grove
street elevation; third, by open
joints in the galvanized iron
crest moulding and open joints in
the tin backing to this crest
railing; by the openings about the ends of
the iron trusses where these ends project
beyond the face of the brick wall on the
inner or court side of the roof, and by
the open joints in the exposed rough tim
Der underneath the crest railing on the
court side of the roof. The defects about
the lower roofs and enclosures, enumer-
ated under part "frst,' where metal only
and no tiles are used for enclosure and
roofing, can, in my opinion. be remedied
by making a complete w~ell-nailed joint
between the galvanized iron enclosure
and the window frames, and then cover
ing this joint with a tightly fitted strip
of wood.
IMPROVEMENTS SUGGESTED.
.It will also be necessary to extend the
galvanized iron flashing in and under
meath the window frames the full width
of the sills, and turning up the Hastings
on the inside of the stills and at the sides
of the window frames, thereby forming a
light pan with a watershed to the ex-
terror: This has been done under a nume
not with sufficient care and accuracy.
The sills of the short windows on the
sides of towers, where the steep tile roof
raised up to admit of prope flashing,
these window stills now being in part
below the roof line.
second are very difficult to establish,
owing to their inacessibiliIy and to the
fact that the Hastings cannot be exam
roof tiles. BY removing the tiles directly
adjoining the connections between the tile
roofs and the sides of the towersa n the
the defects and then with care apply the
remedy. The cut tiles should be taken
off and proper tiles used where connec-
tons are made. Many of the tiles a
been cut in an unworknanlike manner.
Defects under Part Three can be
reriedied by proper soldering the open
joints in the galvanized mouldings. Tho
ends Of the iron trusses projecting be-
yond the face of the brick wall should
be covered with tin, thereby forming a
continuous metal covering from the iron
ridge Gaping to the roof.
GIVES SOME PRAISE.
I'm the matter of the tile roof proper,
/ md that the same is tight and no
leaks therein are noticeable. The tiles
are of good quality and practically of
the same pattern as the sample fur
nished fer guidance of the contractors
in estimating for the work. The tiles
all appear to be Well laid, with joints
filed with paint skins. The omission of
dead end tiles does not affect the tight
ness of the roof.
Il am of the opinion that the tiles
used would have made a more satisfac-
tory roof If laid with a pitch or inclina-
ton of not less than 45 degrees as
shown on the elevation, but which
pitch was changed in the execution of
the work to one varying from 80 to 40
degrees"
Accompanying the report was a letter of
instructions as to what course to pur-
sue from Corporation Counsel Blair. 1t
was as follows:
9TH eaks referred to in the enclosed
report are manifestly caused by the
careless and unskillful work one by the
with to direct the contractor by written
notice to proceed at once to correct these
imperfections in his work, and finish it
in good, workmanlike manner. 1t is
your duty to direct the contractor to
remove 50 much Of the tile as will re-