The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-01-08
BROOME'S BLUFF,
Worrying Contractor Kier-
nan and Defending
English Before
the Board.
THOSE AWFUL SPECIFICATIONS
Orders for Extra Work Which Are
to Be Paid for in Law
suits Only.

suits Only.
For two hours this morning the new
City Hall Commissioners were bored by
Architect Broome. who is leaving no
stone unturned to convince them that he
IS a much-abused man. because the con-
tractors would not carry out his SIT, 600
specifications or obey his orders. The
Commissioners. like the contractors, are
on to Louis curves and are keeping down
to facts. He was given an unkind cut
today by Commissioner Dickinson
Broome was having fine time describ-
ing imperfections in the work of the
contractors, and he concluded by stat
ing that he would accept no work unless
was according to specifications.
"Oh, that is all right said Dickinson,
when you get through looking at the
work we will engage experts to look it
over and what is not right is going to
be torn out. All the. contractors may as
well understand that now as al any.
other time''
The meeting this morning was for the
purpose of receiving report from
Broome as to what work done by Kier-
nan has been condemned as not accord
ing to specifications.
The report specified the tile roof first
Broome tore it up in great shape. In
the midst of his harangue he was inter-
rupted by Commissioner Hough, who
produced the report of Architect Kreitler,
who. with experts, inspected the roof anc
declared that if the pitch had been kept
up to what the plans provided, the roof
furnished by Herman would have been
all right Mr.. Kreitler's report also sets
forth that the tiling is well laid and does
not leak, as was contended by Broome.
The leaks are around the towers and are
due to slight imperfections in the tin
ming and galvanized iron work These
defects are being remedied by Kiernan.
Broome was forced to admit this morn
ing that the roof is not as bad as has
been represented The Commissioners be-
Heye with a few repairs it will be pos
slpie to make it water tight. The whole
they think, and for this they hold Broome
aione responsible. 1t is said he author
lzed the change without consulting the
old Commission. The pitch of the roof
The next point raised by Broome was
that the flooring of the first, second and
third floors has been laid against his or
ders. He says he directed Kiernan not
to lay the flooring until after all the
plastering had been done. His order was
ignored and he charges that the flooring
has been damaged by the reason of ex-
poSure.
He next condemns the electrical wiring.
He says it has not been done in COM
pliance with specifications. Kiernan's
reply to this charge is that he followed
the specifications and plans to the letter
and found later that they clashed with
contends, is Broome's entirely.
The architect. reported that the hard
make he ordered. Broome specified the
manufacture of a certain concern, but
Kiernan denies his right to dictate to such
an extent Kiernan contends that he
has furnished hardware of a better make
than was specified. There was trouble
over the hardware about the time Kier-
clares he informed him that if he could
find that the firm designated in the
specifications was charging. exorbitant
prices he would consent to the substitu
ton of hardware of another make. Kier-
nan has all along disputed the architects
right to force him to buy all the hard
ware necessary for the building of a
firm named by him.
The architect then condemns some of
the wood work. particularly the wains-
coting. He also calls attention to the
fact that Kiernan has not put any
saddles in the building.
do your specifications call for sad
dleS?" asked Commissioner Hcugh.
Broome admitted that they did not but
contended that it was not necessary as
builders are supposed to put saddles in
even the cheapest tenement houses.
"Kiernan says they are not called for
and he will not put them in the building,
said Commissioner Dickinson "and I be-
an order TO do the work ard then let
the courts decide whether we shall pay
extra for it or not
This was done. 1t was also decided to
order Kiernan to excavate the base Of
the elevator shaft This work will cost
about $40, but Kiernan insists upon an
order for it, claiming that it is a part of
Richard English's work. He will sue for
the amount as extra work.
Broome was about to leave after having
torn Kiernan up, when he was asked. what
he had done about compelling English to
remove the glazed brick
He is removing some of the con-
"You are mistaken about that said
Contractor Datz. All the glazed bricks
MeTe Ssye o e9ndneq bsen 0n5hs as aye the
These are the bricks Contractor Eng
lish bought through Broome. They are
supposed to be of uniform size and coll
or. A glance at them convinces visitors
at the 1nonstros.ty that they are all col
ors of the rainbow.,
4sThey have been condemned by the
then then are az e9Tang Sa to a @
way of thinking. OF course it is only my
individual opinion as against the Com
The bricks are going to be removed as
Custodian Datz contends that they do
not comply with the specifications.
move the broken lintels of the second
floor He is also directed to finish the
fancy work on the front balcony, which
was left undone when Mayor Wanser
compelled the removal of the letters j
and G which were on either side of the
words City Hall.
Custodian Datz was instructed to con-
fer with the contractors and have them
finish finish their work as soon as possible.
They propose letting the contractors
fight for their money in the courts.
Another meeting is to be held next
Monday, at which time reports. are to be
submitted showing what work English
and Farrier have done which IS not ac-
cording to specification.
These reports will doubtless be inter-
esting.
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