The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1897-03-20
THE JAIL REP AIRS.
A Serious misunderstanding Between
the Contractors and the Parish
An Amicable Adjustment
Is Hoped For.

session last Tuesday to consider a
very serious misunderstanding rela-
tive to the provisions of the Jail
contract in respect to the construc-
ton of the three new steel cells.
The proposition upon which the
Jail Building Company was that
three new steel cells should be con-
structed of keybar iron work as per
model exhibited to the Jury and the
repaired so as to render them safe
for the detention of criminals.
This in brief constituted the under
standing between the Jury and Mr..
of the company. Recently it was
discovered that the contractors in
tended to construct the three new
cells of fiat bar iron work, using in
part material taken from the three
old cells. Mr.. Harmon, who has
the work in charge, stated that he
was simply carrying out the require
ments of of the contract specifca
tons and knew nothing Of any key
bar work. The Jury unanimously
agreed that until thorough under
standing should be obtained, no
further work must be allowed on
the cells, and appointed commit
tee to meet the agents of the COM
pany and affect an amicable adjust
mont of the difficulty. There is
every reason to believe that an
agreement can be reached which
will be satisfactory to all conc erned.
Agents of the company have wired
that the work should be properly
done and ordered further progress
stopped. Mr.. Hull is expected i'm
few days when the entire matter
will doubtless be adjusted. The
trouble has arisen from the fact that
the Police Jury and its representa-
tives did not examine vely closely
the specifications embodied in the
contract, relying with explicit con-
fdence in the plans and speciica-
tons submitted by Mr.. Hull, and
as explained by him to the Jury
when that body was considering the
various propositions rendered for
Jail rep airs. The matter is of a
serious nature and deserves careful
attention in order that the interest
of the parish may be conserved.
The work in question is one of
the most important features of the
proposed repairs, and unless good
and substantial material is used in
the construction of these new cells,
the parish Jail will not be at all safe
for the keeping of any criminals of
desperate character.
If no amicable adjustment can
be effected, it is highly probable
that the Jury will be called in extra
session and take further steps to
protect the public interest. There
seems to be, however, a disposition
on both sides of the controversy to
arrange the unfortunate misunder-
standing without resort to legal
proceedings and this certainly
would be by far the most sensible
and honorable course to pursue.
The Pauly Jail Company is re1l-
able and responsible firm, and its
agent, Mr.. Hull. during his short
stay here made many friends by his
open and candid bearing in all
business matters.
The Gazette predicts that the
grave misunderstanding now exist
ing will be hohorably adjusted in
few days and the Jail repairs COM
pleted in a workmanlike manner
above any criticisms which certain
parties are now so anxious to make.
Mrs w Railev has inst received