The San Francisco call., 1898-07-06
THAT ELUSIVE
 TERRA GOTTA It Still Holds Back the Hall of Justice. THE CONTRACTOR EVASIVE HE IS TROUBLED WITH A VERY DEFECTIVE MEMORY. Supervisors Postpone Action on Sev- eral Franchises Asked For
 by the Southern
 Pacific.

of the old City Hall, will not be ready for occupancy for many months, or per haps years, unless Bateman Bros, the contractors, and the Supervisors, who awarded them the contract to erect 1t, are made to understand that the Grand Jury does not intend countenancing any further shameful and needless delay. At a meeting of the Supervisors, held week | ago, the contractors "believed' that they might" have the building com pleted by October l, and not require any further extension of time On that oc- casion it was represented that the delay Of many months was due to the fact that the contractors could not procure the necessary terra cotta work. A promise was made that contract would be en- tered into within few days for the terra cotta, and that the building would be speedily completed. How well the promise of speed has been lived up to became apparent yesterday at the regu- lar weekly meeting of the Supervisors.
 After the reading of the report of the committee on Buildings, Mayor Phelan asked 1T there had been any further in- formation from the contractors as to when they would complete arrangements to secure terra: cotta.
 Ex-Judge Sullivan, representing Con- tractor Bateman, stated that his client had concluded a contract with Gladding, Mclean & Co. to furnish such material but that it would be several weeks be- fore they could begin to deliver the stock. Contractor Bateman was then called on for further explanations, but was very hazy as to dates and agreements, being confident only of the fact that he wanted another extension of time.
 Now, MT. Bateman,' said the Mayor,
 1t Is only proper that you should for the benefit of the public and the board make frank statement of what you propose to do in the matter of completing this building"
 Bateman replied that Gladding & Me- Bean were under heavy bonds to de- liver the terra cotta in a given time but would not state the period He dodged the question by stating that the delivery of the material would begin shortly and that he. was doing all he could to push the work along.
 The Mayor was evidently in no pleasant frame of mind, for he gave Bateman a rude shock and placed him in a position where he was obliged to be explicit.
 q have just come from Gladding & Me- Bean's," said Mayor Phelan, and they informed me that they could not begin to furnish the terra cotta in less than two months and that under their contract to you they were not bound to complete the delivery until the expiration of five months. Now Is that the case, Mir. Bate man?"
 Bateman finally acknowledged that such was the contract. After many ex- plantations as to the previous delays, brought out by sharp questioning, he stated that ne thought the Hall or JuS- tice could be completed by the end of this year.
 "Will you guarantee that the building will be ready by January 1, 1892" asked
 NO, I could not well do that" stam- mered Bateman, "but we are doing the best we can and hope to have 1t done by that time"
 Supervisor Britt stated that the com mittee had made thorough investigation of the facilities for producing the terra cotta, but were unable to understand just why there should have been any such de- lay as had occurred
 As a precaution the Mayor ordered Con tractor Bateman's statement regarding the completion of the building entered on the records.
 There ends another chapter in the story of the. almost criminal delay in the erec- ton of the Hall of Justice building.
 In order that the municipal expenses incurred between now and the third Mon day of September, when the new tax levy will be made, will be insured the Auditor and Treasurer were instructed to figure payments out on basis of the assess ment levied last year for the several funds.
 A resolution was passed to print author iZing the Treasurer to pay from the urg- ent necessity fund the claim of Joseph aib for painting the street corner signs intended for the accommodation of strang CTS.
 The matter of granting franchises to the Market street Railway Company to ex- tend certain of Its lines so as to reach the proposed Geological Garden and the Af- fiiated Colleges was laid over for one week If street cars are to be run on the streets included in the franchises asked for, a provision will be made compelling the holder to carry policemen, letter car riers deputy health officers. deputy street superintendents and fremen free of charge when they are in the discharge of their duties. The franchises will be let to the highest bidder, but inasmuch as the lines sought to be traversed would only benefit the Market Street Railway Com pany there will not be any other bidders
 The petition of the San Francisco and San Mateo Railway Company asking for a franchise along one block on Howard street and thence along East street to the new ferry depot was favorably passed.
 Mayor Phelan was empowered to sell the dilapidated Cogswell fountain re- moved from the corner of Market and Drumm streets. and turn the proceeds into the treasury for the benefit of the street fund.
 The Mission Athletic. National and Western Athletic clubs were granted H. censes to hold sparring exhibitions next month on the payment of the necessary license fee. The Excelsior Club was granted similar privileges for a contest this month. The free permits heretofore granted to the Olympic Jefferson, West ern Addition, Alpine, California. Excel-I