Evening star., 1898-10-31
SWEEPING CHARGES
Ex-Supt. Steward Talks About the
Post Office Building.
BAD WORK, DELAYS And EXTRAS
Faults of the System of Govern
ment Construction.
IN ESTlGATION NEEDED

The removal of Mr.. Thomas c. Steward
| from his position superintendent of con-
struction at the city post office building.
| which occurred one month ago, attracted
public attention anew to the long period of
time covered by the process OF erecting this
structure. The Star long ago showed by a
series Of articles, based upon close inquiry
| and direct observation. that the work had
| been dragging, and that with the applica-
| ticn of proper methods of busness-lke ad-
miniStration the time OF conSt truction-noW
nearly sever years-would have been great
y reduced. 1t likewise called attention at
the time to the lnfammable character of
the materials which were being introduced
into the building, notwithstanding its al
legged character as fire-proof.
The accusations brought against MIR.
Steward prior to his removal We're of in
competence, coilusion with contractors, de-
laying completion Of building, etc. In de-
Tending himself against these charges Mr..
Steward makes certain statements rela tive
to his connection with the building and his
knowledge of the methods employed
in its erection, which, If accurate, will be
of interest and concern not only TO the
people of Washington, who have been wait
ing so long for the post Office facilities
promised them, but also to the taxpayers of
the country in general Greater than local
interest centers in this matter for the rea-
son that 1t Is d well-known fact that the
Washington building is type of many
others, and that the methods employed
here, the character of the workmanship
the loss of time and the expenditure
of money, are symbolic of the process
now in vogue of erecting the govern
ment's buildings Mr.. Steward alleges
in brief, that this building has required far
more time in construction than should have
been consumed that 1t has cost far more
than necessary; that it is today in some re-
ly to require heavy additional expenditures
for repairs in the near future. The state
ment follows:
Mr.. Stewards Statement
Having been removed from my position
as superintendent of construction of the
new post office, l desire to set before the
public certain facts in connection with my
personal record superintendent, mas
much as many things have been printed in
my disfavor, and Until now / have not
sought to present my, side of the case
AS the first superin tendent, my term of
service extended from October is, 1S91--irn-
mediately after the site was purchased-to
June 30, 1893, and during this period Old
buildings were removed, excavations COM
pleted tests made. nearly 1000 piles lriven
and the concrete and stone footings were
practically finished Ny removal was for
John w. Kinsay. occupied the position un-
til June I, 1897 On that date / was rein
stated. and continued in charge as snperin-
tendent until October l, 1893, when the pres
ent superintendent, Mr.. Richard Fouchy:
succeeded me- My designation was called
for, but, feeling that the charges against
me We're unjust and unfounded I refused
to resign, and was thereunOn removed. So
much by way of chronological data.
Coed Foundation. but Poer Sewers.
The enormous weight that Is being sus-
tained by the foundations Of that building
attests the fact that the work Of putting
them in was thoroughly and honestly exc
cuted and if the money appropriated had
been wisely and judiciously expended by
the supervising architects office every item
of the work above the foundations would
have been strictly tirst-class. To the ever
lasting shame of those who have had
charge OF affairs in the department II must
be said that there are many very serious
detects in the construction of the building
The appropriations have been sufficient up
TO this time to have made a thoroughly
hre-proof structure. built and finished in
modern style and well equipped in every
detail. Such building we have not-a
Of
AS one of the many 'after thoughts
winch nave made this building architec-
tural hodSe-podge and rat-hole for public
money. 1t was discovered in December, 1893
tnat areas We're necessary on three sides
of the building. The contractor for stone
and brickWork for the basement and su-
perstructure was permitted to supply the
areas at an extra cost to the government
OF $4,000 the price having been fixed by
the supervising architects Office. The same
work could have been done for one-haif the
sum allowed.
A system of sewers has been provided in
accordance with drawings and specitlca
tons that proved inadequate during a
transform last August. for roof drainage
alone. On that occasion water backed uD
into the areas and flowed through the win
dows into the basement in great quantities.
The question naturally arises what the re-
suit may be after the building is occupied:
and all of the sewerage IS to be disposed of
IN addition to heavy rainfall.
Queer Bargain.
March q 1893, contract was awarded for
stone, brickwork. etc the exterior to be
quarry-face work-for SSi7,0tn Tie alter
nate proposal for this work-the exterior to
be all cut work instead of quarry face-was
S!s25,OO the difference Of sSs.0O0 being the
original proposal for cutting the face of all
the granite. change was made in July, 1894.
from and above the second story and after
about one-fourth Of the work had been exc
cuted, substituting cut work in lieu OF
quarry face and allowing an extra for the
remaining three-fourths. with some slight
changes near the upper portion OF the build
ing OF $229,7 ,7S6, the price being deemed
reasonable and a public exigency requiring
an immediate performance OF the work"
L MS iedSondDle price was agreed upon
between the supervising architects office
and the contractor, by some process OF cal
culation not at present known to the pub
lie, and the official records will Snow how
much time was lost in discovering the pub
lie exigency."
1t was understood and so stated that no
additional time should be allowed for COM
pletion of work under this contract on ac-
count of the extra
The only receiving coal vault for the
building Is about five feet in height, six
feet wide and has one opening in the side
walk three feet in diameter. All of the fuel
for the twelve large boilers must be trans
ported over a single-track railway from
this point to the boiler room and the cin-
ders and ashes carried back over same line
and shoveled out through the one opening.
This is matter for the thoughtful consid-
GRAFTON of those who are to be permanent
tenants of the bullding.,k
Steam and air pipes throughout the build
ing are exposed, although placed according
to drawings and specifications. Those In
hrst-story corridors appeared unsightly
after the plastering and marble work had
been completed that they were removed al
extra cost to the government of $780, 9th
er pipes in upper stories were SO located by
the drawings as to conflict with work that
was to follow, and had to be changed at
i eS ira cost of $3.50.
After large amount of work embraced