The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-11
THE NEW FIRE HALL.


the part of the contractors to eyade the
provisions Of the specifications. To be-
gin with, the cement used in the
foundation was said to be mostly sand,
and the walls facing on Third street
and Thompson avenue were condemned
and torn down aud rebuilt 1t is also
asserted that the foundation walls, ex-
cepting the basement portion, were not
suit are liable to crack from the action
Of the weather. The architect. how
ever, does not seem to entertain any
fears on that score, at least he does not
touch on that point in the report he
presented to the council on Tuesday
nigh. last, in which he refers to his
trouble with the contractors over some
brick being used contrary to specif-
cations. and contrary to the written and
verbal orders OF the board of works, and
In which he charges Alderman Dahl
with attempting to bribe him. AS we
come, from the various rumors goin.
the rounds and from personal obserya-
ton, that there was something crooked
going on that We Iullg expected that,
sooner or later, the cat would get
out OF the bag. We, the refore, were
not surprised to learn that an attempt
had been made to bride Mr.. Chisholm
and to make him party to the swindlinr
of an already overburdened and too
much swindled community, and that in
spite of his watchfulness a considerable
quantity OF the brick complained of was
Kelley brick, the brick called for bv
the contract. Alderman Dahl, who is
also one of the contractors, seems to
have stood by and taken advantage OF
every opportunity the absence OF the
architect gave hlm to use the con-
demned brick. He seems 10 Laye set
the architect and board Of works at de-
tiance, and to have had such an influ-
cnce over the mayor and council as to
be able to obtain authority to proceed
without the sanction of the architect or
- MAJ ority of the board of works. 1t is
due TO Captain Marcy to say that he has
kicked against the way the work has
been done from the foundation up.
but the would be-Jriber had too much
Of pull with his fellow aldermen for
his kicking to be of much use
The mistake on the part Of the archi-
tect was in being thoughtless enough to
allow the contractor TO use an inferior
brick in.the first place, as by SO doing
he virtually admitted that they were fit
W uoC- liz SIiOuiu HOT nave allO
one of them to be used, and the board
of works should have removed them to
a safe distance. Thus all this trouble
over the brick would have been I'M
possible. However, tins lcniency on
the part of the architect does not ex-
II. -
who is sworn to honestly and reariesslv
watch over the interests of the city,
IN attempting to bride an official and
make him party 10 an act of theft,
md it is fortunate for the city that the
man sought to be bribed was made Of
the stuff Mr.. Chisholm is.
Alderman Dahl should be promptly
given an opportunity to prove his IN
nocence. and if he frlls to DO so, he
should be made to understand that
men who seek to degrade their fellow
men to level with themselves, who
are false to the trust reposed in them,
are amenable to the laws of the state
and must pay the penalty of their ul.-
taithfulness.
The trouble over this building only
emphasizes the necessity of abandoning
the contract system So far as public
buildings are concerned, and erecting
them by days labor, in the proper
season and Of the best material, under
the supervision of competent officials
The buildings may cost more, but they
will be substantial, safe TO enter, and
lnuch cheaper in the end OF course
this would not suit crooked alder
man or dishonest contractor. but 70
Waupun with them and their associates
In viliainy. We have suffered long and
patiently, and have arrived at that
point where patience ceases to be a
virtue and mercy is akin to crime.
Vt the meeting of the committee on
Wednesday morning, Mr. Chisholm was
sustained in his action and the matte,
left in his hands. AS an offset to the
bad brick a thick coating of Portland
cement is 10 be given the wall where
the poor bricks where useI and the