The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-31
MAY BE OF GEORGIA MARBLE.
A GOOD MATERIAL FOR THE SUPER
STRUCTURE or THE PUBLIC
BUILDING.

Supervising Architect Akin says
Bids VIII BE Called for on "a Basis
of This MateriaI-PenaIties to he
Enforced Against Contractors Who
Are Responsible for Delay s-HIr.
Akin says the Building VIII Prob
ably he Finished within the Pres
ent Administration.
Supervising Architect W. NJ. Akin Of
the treasury department who came to
Savannah on invitation from the presi-
dents Of the board of trade and cotton
exchange to look into the matter of hay
ing the public building pushed forward
more rapidly, spent yesterday looking az
ter matters in connection with the build
ing.
Mr.. Akin, in company with President
d. G. Purse of the board Of trade and
Acting President W. W. Williamson of
the cotton exchange visited the exchanges
in the morning. he also visited the pub
lie building in company with Inspector
hewitt and looked over the work on the
foundation story. which is now in prog
yess.
Mr.. Akin called on Col Winn in ;he
forenoon to arrange for the sewerage Ct
the building. This matter was settled az
ter short conference. and it is probable
that an outlet will be sought through the
East Broad street sewer.
In the afternoon Mr.. Akin was taken
for a drive out to Thundcrbolt and Bona
venture n company with Capt. Purse,
Capt. Williamson, Aldermen Gleason and
Hudson, and Mr.. NJ j. Solomons, disburs-
ing agent for the government building. Be
fore the drive, however. Mr.. Akin was
shown the Guards armory by Capt. VII
Hanson. and was much pleased with. the
quarters and the excellent architectural
work.
"The work on the public building will go
right ahead now Dir. Akin said when
asked about his visit here. THE present
contractors expect to- finish their work on
the foundation story about July l. they
inform me, and they can easily do it with
in that time If they will If there is any
blame attached to the contractors for the
delay in the work, the penalties viii GER
tainly be enforced. 1t has been the custom
in many instances heretofore to allow
these things to run by, until the law be-
came almost a dead letter. But 1 have
been instructed by the secretary to en-
force these penalties in case where the con-
tractors are at fault. and are responsible
for delays and it is going to be done.
What about the plans for the super
structure?"
They are going ahead in very good
shape" he replied. THE time that has
been expended in completing them will be
of material advantage TO the building
There are some good men at work on the
plans, and when finished IL will be one of
the finest buildings in the country. The
next contract to be given out will include
the entire superstructure and everything
but the heating, ventilation and APP
breaches These plans will be completed
and have no doubt the bids will be adver-
tised for before the present contract is
completed"
Mr. Aiken was asked II any conclusion
had been reached as to the material to be
used.
Bids will be called for" he said. ION
several different materials, and among
them will be Georgia marble. The mate
rial to be used will depend somewhat on
the cost, and the ability of the contractor
70 furnish it promptly will bear an impor-
tant part. If 1t should be found that the
government might be kept out Of the
building for six months, on account of
the material that might lead to a change.
The contractors bid on the material. and
he names his own time in which TO finish
the work, which also the government
takes into consideration. If 1t can be
brought within the appropriation, how
ever, IL IS possible georgia marble may De
used"
"Are any material changes TO be made
In the plans?' Mr.. Akin was asked
None of particular importance" he re-
piled, but they are more in the refinement
of detail. The location of the building is
much better than / thought 1t was before
i saw the site The building will be an
attractive one, centrally located and con-
venient of access"
Mr.. Akin was asked when 1t win be
completed.
THAT cannot tell precisely" he said.
at depends on good many circumstances
but shall endeavor to have the work done
within the present administration, and
want TO see a democratic postmaster in it
before there is any danger of a change"
Mr.. Akin is by no means a stranger in
Savannah He was born in Charleston, S.
C., and lived there many years. He has a
large number of friends in this city and
twelve years ago he superintendent the
erection of the Gordon monument in
Court House square. For the last ten
years he has been located in Cincinnati.
He returned to Washington last night
A strong effort Is being brought to bear
10 have the super-structure of the new
building made of Georgia marble This
was suggested TO Mr.. Akin by the gentle
men who met him yesterday, and bids on
basis of this material will be called for
along with the others. Georgia marble is
cheap. durable and easy to get at. so there
would be no trouble whatever in pushing
the work right ahead if this material
should be used.