The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-05
THE FERRY FOUNDATION
Governor Budd Did Not Au-
thoriZe Donohoe to En-
pIoy a Chemist.
Is A SURPRISE ALL AROUND
The Governor Wanted Samples and
the Report Presented to
Himself.
sAcRAMENro. May l. 1895.

SACRAMENTO, May 1, 1895.
1homdS Price d Co., San FrdnciScO-DEAR SIR
Yours of April 3 just received. Governor Budd
lnstructs me TO inform you that he did not au-
thor1ze Mr.. P. J. Donohoe to make any chemi-
cal analysis or physical tests of any material
from the ferry foundation at the foot of Market
street. Very respectfully,
E. D. McCABE, private secretary.
Thomas Price was surprised when he
received the letter of which the foregoing
is copy. He made the analysis believing
that it had been ordered by the Governor.
Mr.. Price said: "Some time in February
Donohoe brought me samples of the con-
crete used in the ferry foundation, and
represented to me that he was authorized
to order an analysis. AS a matter of fact 1
do not know that the borings came from
the ferry foundation, but Donohoe said
they did, and have no reason to question
the accuracy of his statement I per-
formed the work desired, and the detailed
analysis published in the CALL was the re-
port made to Donohoe
1t is correct in every essential. found
the material to be as the specifications re-
quire. That is the fact. / saw by the
papers at the time that the Governor had
employed Donohoe to examine the ma
terial in the foundation
What is the object in trying to prove
that the concrete was inferior and not &C
cording to specifications?
"That L cannot answer, but some one is
endeavoring to create the impression that
the work is inferior. AS my analysis
shows, it is o K"
On this topic Governor Budd was inter-
viewed yesterday. He said: II authorized
Donohoe to make borings, obtain samples
OF the concrete and bring them to me. l
did not authorize him to employ an ex-
pert chemist and bring In bill against the
State. He came to me and said he could
make the examination without any ex-
pense to the public and | told him to go
ahead and do it. So far as the bill is con-
cerned, if it is small itcan be paid from my
contingent fund. The chemists report is
all right. l have no fault to find with it."
The following communication was mailed
to Sacramento yesterday by the Board of
State Harbor Commissioners:
Hon. ". F. Fitzgerald, Attorney-General, Sacra-
mento, Cdl.-DEAR SIR: You are requested by
the Board of State Harbor Commissioners to
advise them whether the act entitled "An act
to regulate the erection OF public buildings and
structures" approved April !, 1872, is in
force and controls the board in the employ
ment of an architect for the proposed new
depot and ferry-house to be erected al the foot
of Market street in San Francisco. Also
Brown as such architect the provisions of the
aforesaid act requiring that competitive plans
be advertised for were disregarded by the board
and q contract entered into with the aforesaid
A. Page Brown, that contract is valid and the
said A. Page Brown is legally employed as such
architect.
The Board of State Harbor Commissioners
also desire that you should inform them
whether the 100000 provided by law for the
erection of said depot and ferry-house was
designated to cover the cost OF the foundations
and superstructure, and whether such cost can
legally be in excess of that amount by the con-
struetion of the foundations with money de-
rived from the harbor improvement fund, and
the whole amount of the $4,000 being re-
served to pay for the superstructure.
The board also desires to be informed as to
the steps necessary to be taken to have the mat
ter here referred to adjudicated in event that,
in your opinion, there has been irregularity in
the employment of the architect on the con-
struction of the foundations, and with money
other than the 5000, 600 provided for the cree
ton of a depot and ferry-house, the object
being to protect themselves and have al
further proceedings OF the board in these mat
tiers conform strictly to the requirements Of the
law. Very truly yours. Z. L. CoLNoN,
President Board State Harbor Commissioners.