The San Francisco call., 1896-02-20
Report of Expert Architects
Sharply Criticized by
the Governor.
THE PLANS RECOMMENDED
Designs Presented by Kraft and Cur.
lett Received Favorable
Report.

There was breezy session of the Board
of Regents of the University of California
at the Mark Hopkins Institute yesterday
afternoon. The business on hand which
engrossed so much attention was the re-
port of consulting architects on various
plans presented far the affiliated colleges.
Governor Budd presided and took an
active interest in the proceedings through
out the sessions. When Secretary Bonte
called the roll the following named regents
responded: The Governor Speaker Lynch,
State Superintendent of Schools Black, G.
+. Crocker, A. S. Hallidie, T. G. Phelps,
George 7. Marye, Columbus Bartlett, Cen
eral Houghton, J. West Martin, Albert
Miller, President Kellogg, J. B. Reinstein,
Judge Slack, Regent Chase, Arthur Rodgers
and ]. A. Waymire.
As soon as the assembled regents squared
themselves at the table for business the
secretary was requested to produce the re-
port submitted by Architects Clinton Day.
Albert Pissis and Walter Mathews. The
report discusses the plans in their alpha
betical order and presents the following
conclusions:
In conclusion: We consider that the best ele
and they would form very imposing and
monumental group of buildings.
We are further of the opinion that the group
which, If carried out, would best serve the pur-
poses intended and would make the best and
most commodious buildings is, without doubt
the one furnished by Messrs. Kraft, Martens &
Cofey, which we place at the head OF the list.
AS TO cost, we viii state that in ordinary
practice the cost OF buildings Is governed
solely by the price OF labor and material, and
the quantity of each required in any building.
We can, therefore, take 1t for granted that to
cover the same surface OF ground with build
ings of the same character. built OF the same
material, the cost will be the same. Judging
from that standpoint, we find that the designs
OF Messrs. Kraft, Martens Il Coffey and of Mr.
Sutton are. in our opinion, the most econom-
ical of those presented, being about equal as to
cost. Next higher would be the design or Mr.
Curlett Messrs. Pelton d McDougalPs design
being highest, the greater surface covered by
the buildings of Messrs. McDougall being off
Set by the more costly architectural feature OF
Mr.. Pelton's production.
We also find that the buildings OF Messrs
Kraft, Martens IL Coffey and OF Mr.. Sutton do
not contain more than is required by the
printed circulars, and that the space IN both
those designs has been thoroughly utilized
that is to say, we do not think that the re-
quirements could have been fulfilled in
smaller buildings.
erection OF the buildings shown by these two
designs, we find that the construction of either
group would far exceed the full amount OF the
appropriation. respectfully submitted,
ALBERT PIssIs
CLINTON DAY,
WALTER j. MATHEWS.
The subject of cost was Immediately in
troduced, which led TO a discussion be-
tween Attorney Mhoon OF the board and
Governor Budd as TO whether the architect
cient bond to guarantee the construction
OF the buildings within the limit of cost
specified.
The Governor embraced the opportunity
TO cite the construction of the Stockton
Free Library as an example of fine
building completed according to cost esti-
mates submitted by Architect Pelton, al
though other architects had proclaimed to
the Stockton authorities that the work
could not be done for anything like the
sum mentioned by Mr.. Pelton. The figure
which "cut some ice" in this case was
$50, 900.
In communication to the Regents Mr..
Curlett announced that two responsible
contractors had figured on his plans. One
was willing to give bond to construct the
buildings for 1925, 900. The other esti-
mated that the cost would be $242, 900.
J. West Martin mentioned that Albert
PlsslS was present and would cast some
light on the problem of cost. The Regent
thought if the session was executive Mr..
Pissls might explain IN detail to the board
the method adopted to estimate the cost.
The Governor remarked that Mr. Nc
Dougall had made an estimate OF cost in
detail.
Regent Crocker said that it was the in
tention that all the architects should make
careful estimates of cost.
Regent Timothy Guy Phelps was anxious
to go into executive session.
The Governor inquired in a manner
which seemed frank and ingenious, al
though the language was somewhat sig
nifcant, "Is it the custom of the board to
go into executive session."
Colonel Crocker indicated that he pre-
ferred an open session if Mr.. Pissis did not
object.
Governor Budd-I should prefer when
discussing the question of spending public
money to have the session public.
For an instant there was perceptible
change in the light of the room, caused by
q simultaneous blush.
Inaudible talk, obviously in the cause of
executive session, followed.
The motion was made by Mr. Hallidie
or Mr.. Martin to go into executive ses-
sion, and. being seconded by Timothy Guy
Phelps, the Governor put it. A decided
majority voted in the affirmative. Mr.,
Crocker voted against the motion.
As the reporters, feeling that their
departure would afford relief were about
to vanish, the Governor signiled that they
could remain If Mr. Pissis, the architect,
did not object, and they remained
Architect Albert Pissis did not seem to
be embarrassed by the presence of news
paper people and replied distinctly 20
many questions addressed to him by the
Governor and other regents. According
TO his explanation the committee of archi-
tects did not 90 into detailed examina-
tion OF cost, but calculated from the
ground space covered that decent build
ings could not be constructed for the sum
estimated-$250 900.
Governor Budd referred with evident
local pride TO the Stockton Free Library
building as a monument of grace and
beauty, and he renewed the assertion thai
skilled architects had said that it could not
be built for $4,000, yet the designing
architect completed it for $4,000. From
this example fresh in his mind and OBJ
viously pressed by mental image OF
the beautiful edifice the Governor reasoned
that general opinions of architects were OF
no value unless sustained by detailed esti.
mates of cost for wood, brick and building
material OF all kinds.
Regent Albert Miller believed in exact
ing from the architect whose plans shonio
be accepted sufficient bond to construc
the building at a cost not to exceed the
appropriation of $3.50, 900.
General Houghton asked Mr.. Pissi!