The San Francisco call., 1897-09-08
Nearly the Whole Board OPP
posed to Granting an Ez-
tension Of Time.
Definite ACTION TO BIZ TiKEN.
Contractors to Be Called Upon to Give
Their Reasons for Not Fush-
ing the Work.

The procrastinating contractors, whose
delay in pushing forward the work on the
Hall OF Justice building has occasloned a
great deal of adverse criticism from the
property-owners of this City, may be called
upon al the next meeting o: the Commit
tee on Public Buildings of the Board OF
Supervisors to give their reasons why they
do not put a larger force of men to work
and make better showing than they have
thus far.
Supervisor Britt OF the Committee on
Public Buildings, who by virtue OF that
Office is responsible in measure for the
carrying out by the contractors of the
terms of the contract, was inclined to treat
the matter lenientIy.
"T don't think that the builders are en-
tirely to blame for the delay. 1t is the
fault OF the architect as much as it is
theirs. They were delayed in the start
because the debris had not been removed,
and the buildings close by had 10 be
'shored' up. At meeting of the board
the architect admitted that he was as
much to blame as the builders. The
proper steps had not been taken by the
City 10 have the work done speedily, and
in fact the builders were not given lati-
tude enough in the first place. l do not
think the building will be finished when
the contract calls for il, for l do not think
the contractors were allowed time enough.
For this reason | would be wiling to grant
the builders an extension if l find that the
work cannot be done without it-that is to
say. if they can show good reasons why
the favor should be extended 10 them"
SUP ryisor Rivers Is a member OF the
Pubic Buildings Committee and lad a
very positive opinion and expressed him.
self unhesitatIngly. He appeared very
much disgusted with the way the con-
tractors were acting.
81 am in favor of taking the work away
from them" said Mr.. Rivers. The Bale-
man brothers don't seem to care q bout it.
l think that they have got their foot int
ii and don't want the job. They are not
trying to do what is right. II they we're
doing all they could and putting plenty
of men to work l would probably be in
favor OF extending the time, say for
month or so, but they are not doing
near what is right As soon as
the chairman OF the committee gets back
l will bring the matter before the COM
mittee. OF course we cannot d o anything
now, but L am in favor OF taking the 60 l.
tract away from them and will bring the
matter up just as soon as the chairman
geIs back
contractors should be forced TO fulfill the
terms of their contract, and is not IN
favor of giving the builders longer time.
Supervisor Rottanzi said: "l am not
in favor of granting them any extension
of time unless they can snow good cause
ior the delay. If they cannot snow that
II is not attributable 10 their neglect l
would be in favor of enforcing the penal
ties"
Supervisor Dodge said: II am not pre-
pared to give an opinion just now, for
there may be good reasons why they can
not comply with the terms of the con-
tract. There has been some friction be-
tween the contractors and the Building
Committee, but as l am not member of
that committee have paid but little at
tention to it. In fact. l don't know any
thing at all about the matter"
at is an outrage! exclaimed Super
visor HaSkins. 'tTHE CALL Is taking the
right stand IN that matter, fer the delay
will drive all the business away from this
end of town. OF course ii will eventually
come back again, but the business men
are being blurred. A great many OF them
have complained to me about the way tue
work is being done there If they don't
get the work done when they should and
can't give good excuse they should be
fined"
Il am chating at the delay as much as
the people are " saiq Supervisor Clinton,
"but l can't say Just now what | will do.
l Will investigate the matter and if l am
satisfied that the contractors are 10 blame
| will not be willing to grant them any
further time"
Supervisor Lackmann said: at is time
that these delays should be stopped, and
If the matter comes up before the board l
Will vote against granting an extension.
1t is wholly unwarranted.
Supervisor Devany said; 81 don't
know much about the matter, as have
just returned from the country; but l in
tend to look into it. If there is no good
reason for the delay l will not vote for an
extension"
Supervisor Delaney expressed his opin-
ion by saying that he was not in favor of
giving the contractors more time.