The San Francisco call., 1898-06-28
Why the Hall of Justice
 Is UnCompleted.
EXCUSE OF THE BUILDERS
HOPE THAT THE STRUCTURE
 MAY BE FINISHED.
The Supervisors Magnanimously Vote to Raise the Salaries of Four Deputies in the City
 Clerks Office.

The Hall of Justice building may be yet completed. Bateman Bros, who have the contract for constructing it, still seem to have lingering hope that they may be able to secure the necessary terra cotta, the absence of which they claim has beel, the cause of so much delay.
 When the Board of Supervisors met yes terday afternoon, there was the usual petition from Bateman Bros, asking for an extension of time on their contract. They thought that they might be able to have the building constructed by Oc- tober ], but wanting to be on the safe side, they desired another extension.
 Supervisors Clinton, Dodge and Delany were opposed to granting any additionai time to the contractors. One of the firm, was present to urge his petition for time, and was invited by the Mayor to speak his fearful story of how the lively terra cotta managed to elude him and his brother John. He knew but little con corning the work, but his brother John, who did not have time to attend the meet Ing, was well versed in 1t. He could not say when the building would be completed, but thought that II he could once get hold of the elusive terra COtta the struc- ture might be up by October l. When do you expect to know some- thing definitely about the terra cotta !'' asked Supervisor Dodge.
 T expect to enter into a contract with local firm within the next few days. replied Bateman.
 So the Hail of Justice is still hanging between the hopes and the "eXpecta- ttons' of the contractors.
 After a lengthy discussion it was de- cided to defer further action on the mat ter until the next meeting of the board, and if by that time Bateman Bros. have not overtaken the time-wastng ana elusive terra Cotta, it is entirely prob able that the members will place them selves on record as being opposed to any further extensions. The Supervisors are at last beginning to feel the sting or pub- lie criticism and Grand Jury reports.
 The recommendation of the Street Com mlttee that the dilapidated COgswell foun- tain at the gore corner of Market. Drumm and California streets be removed and sup planted by flagstaff 100 feet high. from which Old Glory shall in future float, was adopted. The expenses of the change will be borne by patriotic downtown mer- chants.
 The ordinance providing for the renum- bering of houses along Market street was revoked.
 J. E. Hamill. T. B. Maginnis. C. D. Parent and P. H. Mckenna, deputy clerks in the office of Clerk Russell, will in fu- ture receive $50 month salary each. They are at present receiving only Sl00.
 4 petition from the San Francisco and San MateO Electric Railway Company asking for a terminus at the new ferry landing was referred to the proper con- mittee. The company asks to be allowed to extend its line from Steuart and How
 
 and thence along that thoroughfare to the new depot
 The contract for burying the indigent dead was awarded to Edward Kelly, who contracts to do the work for $S O5 for each interment.
 The bids of W. M. Hinton Jr and the H. S. Crocker Company for the printing of 25O0 copies of the municipal reports were referred to the Printing Commit tee.
 On motion of Supervisor Sheehan, the clerk instructed to OrnnIlniCa Q wit h the City and County Attorney and get the opinion as 10 the right of certain contractors to add the recently imposed war tax to the prices for which they contracted to furnish the city with neces- sary supplies.
 The board will meet Tuesday afternoon, July ., to act as a board of equalization. The following clerks have been appointed at a salary of S75 each to examine the assessments: Gus Videau, B. Jones. John Fogarty, Philip Hirlman, Daniel Edgar, William B. Smith, Charles Schafer, Wn- liam J. Mccarthy, George Allen, Jacob Harris, William Daly Mark Hunt Daniel Ward and Felix Ciambert.