Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-08-23
WHATOF THE CAPITOL
ATALK WITH ONE OF THE COM.
MiSSIONERS.

Il representative Oh tne STANDARD
called on the Capitol Commission yes
terday to obtain some idea of the con-
dition of capitol constr uction not con-
veyed by mere report OF official acts.
Gov. McGraw being absent, Mr.. Rice,
a member of the commission was
called upon, who graciou>ly responded
to the queries propounded.
You are aware, Mr.. Rice, began the
scribe, that our people are greatly in
terested in the matter of capitol con-
struction. What DO you think OF the
prospects?
Il hope they will not be repetition
of the past" was the reply.
Do You think that the bids submit
ted by W. NJ. Shewry, and Jonathan
Clark Il Sons, of Chicago, were made
in good faith and with any desire to
secure the award?
a do not"
What object had they in submitting
tut HIul'pslillHs.
That is more than | can discover.
They were not made in form, and were
unaccOmpanicd by the bond which the
law requires. One of them is made on
an interlined and blotted letter-sheet,
when the advertisement upon which it
WAS based stated that blanks would be
furnished on application to the COM
A t,yS Il, 4
the bid was opened that it was mat
ter of surprise the bidder was able to
dig up stamp to pay postage on
his proposition. 1t is evident that no
very serious intentions could have
been entertained by bidder who is so
careless in details"
1t is reported that several gentlemen
were present who were prepared to
submit bids who did not do so. Do
you know the cause, or the nature Of
their bids?
"Ies. l know there were several
bids that came within the limit and
were made out in exact compliance
with the law, that were not submitted.
One of the principals present stated,
in reply to my urgent request for him
to place his proposition before the
board, that he could not do so in the
present unsettled condition of the
financial outlook in justice to himself
or his bOndsmen."
Then you think that if the compen-
sation was certain the building could
be completed for the amount left of
the appropriation?
IL certainly do. Mr.. Flagg was
very positive on this matter, after he
had submitted his plans and details to
local and eastern contractors; and the
fact that bids had been prepared by ex-
perienced contractors upon that basis
indicates that there was no doubt but
that the amount of the appropriation
was ample to complete a building in
accordance with details and specifica-
TONS"
Could not the security be made sat-
isfactory in any way?
1T could have been by the Legisla-
lature had it felt at all friendly to the
capitol. 1t was the opponents of the
bill who suggested appropriation of the
remainder of the million contem-
plated by the act of 1893 in lump for
the completed building, but they re-
fused to recognize in the slightest de-
gree the States liability for any ex-
penditure. The warrants on the land
grant might have been easily foated
had it been provided that q low rate OF
interest, say per cent, should be
paid say semi-annually. This the
commission urged upon members of
the Legislature, but without the
slightest success. 1t was the bill that
passed or nothing, with them"
You doubtless know that some peo-
pie blame the commission for not hav-
ing expended the former appropria-
ton, which would have went very far
towards construction of the building.
am aware of that, but / do not
think they realize the difficulties I'm.
der which we labored. While it was
reported that arrangements had been
made to cash the warrants at par by
the local banks, that proposition was
not made in form that could be en-
forced for the large amounts involved
in contracts that would cover the
whole appropriation. Then we ran
up against financial panic that
would doubtless have rendered abor.
tive the best laid plans for prosecu-
ton of the work."
i Why have the locations of land un.
der the grant been so slowly made?
Simply from necessity. Desirable
lands that have been surveyed are
scarce, but of the locations made the
best and larger portion have been re-
served for the capitol as the larger and
more important object"
Can you see no CLEAN of hope from
the new deal for bids?
"Well, you know, it's the unex-
pected that sometimes happens, and
whenever the time comes for submits
sion of new bids. probably different
conditions will, to some extent, exist.
The State Land Commission is now
making additional selections from the
unsurveyed townships, which, as you
are aware, is authorized by an act Of
the last Congress. In this manner it
is believed the capitol grant will be
made much more valuable. The selec-
tions now being made are mostly tim
Der lands, and there are yet to be
selected some $4,000 acres, and if that
amount OF land, we'll selected, up to the
average of Washington timber land,
will not realize the sum of 100000
without any reference to the $4,000
acres already selected, we are all vast
ing time by remaining in the State"
Farmers, Institute.