The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-14

J. W. Farrell is again wondering
where he is at in relation to the ques-
ton of his bill against the city and
county for extra work done on the
Joint building.
It will be remembered the claim Of
Farrell was referred to a board of ar
bitration consisting of J. w. Midgeley
Architect Kern and Architect LaVelle
These gentlemen have been working on
the matter for some time, have heard
the testimony of witnesses, have meas
ured and remeasured the wires in the
structure. and at an expense of $500
to Farrell and $55S to the city and
county, finally arrived at a conclu
sion.
The findings in the case, signed by a
ma jority of the board of arbitrators a
regards the amount due Farrell, and
all of them as relates to the compen-
sation they are entitled to receive for
the work, were read at a called meet
ing of the joint city and county build
ing committee, which was held yester-
day afternoon in the office of the
mayor.
AS has been stated, the sum awarded
the contractor is $4559.O9 When this
report was read MIR. Lynn of the
committee asked why Midgeley had not
made a statement.
No one seemed to know, and the odd
part of the matter was that
Midgeley and Lynn were in con-
versation half hour before
the committee met. Although this
fact was not stated in the COM
1nittee it was afterward and some of
the committeeman expressed surprise
that the third arbitrator should have
left without making a statement of
some kind.
It was suggested that perhaps
Midgeley wanted to make a minority
report. The explanation seemed to
take with Selectman Geddes, who
moved the report of the arbitrator be
referred to the subcommittee, the
men who selected them, for investiga
ton and report.
Judge Mckay. who represented Far
rell, inquired what was the intention.
To this the selectman from the Third
precinct of the city made answer that
the subcommittee would investigate
and ascertain upon what basis the ar
bitrators arrived at their decision.
Selectman Roberts also vouchsafed
a few explanations, but as no one I'M
derstood them they were passed by
UNDECIDED.
The question was then referred to
the subcommittee as per the MOTION.
1t is thought strange by Farrell and
his attorneys and friends that the
question should need any more inves-
tigation The matter was arbitrated
by agreement. The city and county
chose one man, Farrell another, and
then a third was called in. BY all
rules of law the decision of the arbi-
tration committee should be final.
Whether or not Farrell will sue on this
remains to be seen.
Selectman Geddes made heroic eff
fort to have the insurance on the
building increased at the meeting of
the committee. He argued that fire
in the building meant whole lot of
loss. All the glass in the structure,
which was liable to be cracked, was
plate glass and cost a heap of money.
Then, too, the heating apparatus was
costly one and any damage to its
delicate mechanism meant a great
deal of dollars and cents.
Geddes talked vigorously. but it
didn't go. Mr. Corum, in that calm,
dispassionate manner of his, argued
proof; that the floors were actually
fire proof, and that if fire did start in
the lower part of the house it would be
an easy matter to check it at once. If
it started in the upper portion of the
edifice there was little chance of its
getting to the lower floors.
Mr.. Geddes' motion was lost for
want of votes.
Selectman Christopherson's bill for
lot of trees for the grounds was or
dered paid and the committee ad-
journed subject to the call Of the
chairman.