Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-21
THE CITY POST OFFICE
Secretary Carlisle's Letter to the Con
tractor for Stone Work.
Will Allow Him to Go On Under Ger
tain Conditions - Plans for the
Roof Construction Received.

There were several developments today in
regard to the controversy between the Treas
ury Department and the contractors for
work on the Washington city post office.
Pending the settlement Of the various ques-
tions at issue, work on the building has been
practically suspended. Secretary Carlisle
is said to be very much dissatisfied with the
conduct Of the contractors in evading the
provisions of their contract, and the con-
seouent delay in the prosecution of the
work. Today he addressed letter to John
Peirce, the contractor for the stone work,
authorizing a resumption Of the work on
the superstructure under certain conditions,
despite the fact that the contractors have
1ailed to comply with the terms of their
contract in the matter Of character and fin
ism OF stone on all the courses laid above
the seventh floor.
Letter to Contractor Peirce.
Secretary Carlisle's letter to Mr.. Peirce
on this subject Is as follows:
Str-1 have to acknowledge the receipt
OF your letter dated October 1S, In refer
ence to the suspension of work upon the
stcne and brick work of the new post office
building in this CITY,
Upon an investigation of the matter, I
find that examinations were made by duly
authorized representatives of the depart
ment, with especial reference to the charac.
ter and finish of the stone work embraced
In your contract above course LII, and
said examinations disclosed the fact that
both the stone work in position and that
upon the ground Is No. cut work, instead
OF NO. cut work. as is required by ths
terms of your contract.
1T is the desire of the department to ex-
pedite this work as rapidly as possible. and.
therefore, you may proceed with the execu.
tion of your contract but you must dis
tinctly understand that all stone work
placed in position which does not conform
strictly to the requirements of the con-
tract will be done at your risk.
THE department does not waive the right
to deduct from the sum agreed to be paid
you under the contract the actual differ
ence in value between No. cut work and
No 6 cut work, the purpose of this commu-
nicatfon being to permit you to proceed
with the work without prejudice to your
rights. or the rights of the government, re-
specting the controversy which has arisen
concerning the character OF the stone used
''The department is willing that you shall
go on with the work upon the conditions
herein stated. provided it is notified of
your acceptance within twenty-four hours
after the receipt of this letter.
sisne@ u: G. cARLasLE. ..ssd1s,a E.
Plans for Roof Construction.
The plans for the roof construction were
received at the Treasury Department to-
day from Thorpe & Bond, contractors for
b the iron work. and are said to be entirely
satisfactory, SO that there Is no occasion
for further delay in the prosecution OF
that branch of the work. These plans were
called for by the supervising architect sew
eral weeks ago, and the contractors We're
given until the 18th instant to supply them.
They failed to do SO, however, by the date
fixed, and it became necessary to make
peremptory demand that the plans be sub
mitted without further delay. Their receipt
today Is a source of satisfaction at the
department, as it will enable an expedition
of the work of getting the building under
cover before the winter sets In.
Supervising Architect Called Back.
Mr.. Aiken. supervising architect of the
treasury, left the city about two months
ago to make an extensive tour of inspec-
ton of public buildings all over the country.
He recently arrived at San Francisco and
vas making preparations to continue his
trip to Sitka Alaska, when he received a
brief telegram from Secretary Carlisle, sug-
gestng that it was about time he resumed
his duties in this city. In other words. he
from him today, saying he would start back
at once and would reach here next Monday.
The Secretary's action was based on the
fact that he was personally called on to
attend to much of the business of the
architects office, because of the unwilling
ness of the subordinates to assume respon-
sibility therefor in the prolonged absence
of the architect.
Work Much Behind.
In his telegram calling Mr. Aiken back,
the Secretary said that the public buildings
in Alaska could be inspected at some more
convenient time. The work of the archi-
tect's office is said to be much behind. Mr..
Kemper, who has been acting supervising
architect, has been called to Atlanta on
official business connected with the govern
ment exhibit, and Mr.. Hamilton, chief COM
puter, is acting as supervising architect to-
day.