The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-12
MERITS OF GRANITE
CAPITOL COMMISSION HEAR MEN
INTERESTED IN THAT KIND
OF STONE
TELL ITS GOOD QUALITIES.
OLD QUESTION OF TIE KIND OF
STONE TO BE SETTLED
NEXT.
BOARD ADJoURNs FOR WEEK,
when All the Members Are Expect
ed to Be Present-COncrete Con-
tract Laid Over.

OF what sort of stone shall the new
state capitol building be constructed?
That is the question that confronts
the board Of commissioners. The re-
cent call for proposals again brought
out such variety Of bids, covering
such a range of stones and combina-
lions of stones, that mature and de.
Hberate consideration is necessary to
a wise choice
Yesterday the board spent the en-
tire day in hearing the arguments of
the bidders and the interested stone
men, relative to the merits of the diff
ferent stones. The Office of the COM
mission in the Endicott building re-
sembled stone quarry in itself, with
the many specimens of marble, gran
ite, sand stone and limestone. and
these were closely scrutinized, and the
beauty or defect Of each was com
mented upon. Several of the specimens
were from quarries which have not
yet been opened, and these, it is sur
mlsed will hardly be taken into con-
slderation. One member of the board
said the building will require some
thing like 100000 cubic feet of stone
take any chances in making EXPERT
ments. The board has received several
invitations to visit different uuarries
and see, not only the quality of stone.
but the facilities for getting it ont
and it is possible that before making
any award OF the contract, it will do
so.
The commissioners decided to ad.
Journ until Thursday, Aug 10, at which
time it is hoped all members will be
present, and in the meantime they will
post up on the matter. The alb
sentees yesterday were Commissioners
Lamberton, of Winona and Weaver. of
Mankato, leaving only five members
present. The question of awarding the
contract for concreting the sub-base-
ments was discussed at some length.
and the majority were in favor Of
awarding it to Lauer Brothers, of ST
Paul, whose bid Of $203 300 was the
lowest Of the six received, but this
was also laid over until a full meeting
Of the board .
1t may be safely stated, however.
that, If the board does select outside
stone for the new building, it will re-
qu1re that it be dressed in ST. Paul
In case that Minnesota stone Is select.
ed, 1t may be dressed at the ouarries
IN this connection one of the bidders
Mr.. Amberg, Of the Amberg Grants
matter who secured the contract fully
one-third of the work would have to
be done in st. Paul-referring to the
masonry, carving, etc. So far as the
dressing of the stone was concerned
that cut but little figure with the civ
Itself, for the granite cutters. he said
are rowing class and would conn.,
here from the quarry to stay as long
only as the job lasted. It would nrac.
tically give no more employment TO
local cutters than if the stone was
dressed at the quarry.
The different stone men who an
peared before the board today were
Mr.. Morris, of Norcross Brothers.
Worcester, Mass, in the interest of
Eastern granite; w. K Sheldon, for
Georgia marble; Messrs Hinsdale and
Amberg, of the Amberg Granite com
pany, to present the claims of their
Wisconsin granite, and w. C. Baxter
and F. w. Ladd, favoring the use of
Minnesota granite. Persons interested
in the use of soft stones, Kettle river
sandstone, Winona stone, Bedford
Qnd), stone and the other varieties Of
sandstone and limestone, were before
the board at it's previous meeting to
present their claims, and therefore, did
not appear yesterday.