The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-13

Capt W. ". Robinson. 3r., assistant
auartermasser OF the Department Of Co.
lumbia. has been officially notified by the
OF war has placed the sum Of $Ss.doo at the
disposal Of the once for the erection OF
the buildings at the army post on Mag
noiia Bluffs. the construction Of bridges.
clearing the site and the building OF
wharves and roadwayA
This is the first offic.ai notice that has
reached the Seattle Office concerning the
amount Of money actually available for
the army post. 1t means tina, the work,
initiated when Contractor Antonelie On
Monday began indentinE the wilderness
with . big force OF men. = 10 be pushed
and that barracks for the soldiers. Of
ficers' quarters and roads and bridges
10 make the post accessible will be con-
structed as fast as can be done with men
and money.
The letter to Capt. Robinson contains
Instructions to proceed TO advertise for
BIDS for the various buildings planned
for the army post. These are mentioned
In detail as follows:
One double barracks with plumbing,
heating and gas piping.
One double set OF captains quarters.
with plumbing. heating and gas piping.
Two double sets OF non-commissioned
stan officers quarters. with plumbing,
80
Bids viii be invited for the construction
proper OF shese buildings, and separate
bids will be asked for the plumbing and
piping for gas ard heating.
The secretary OF war has authorized tho
immediate appropriation Of 5000 for clear
ing the ste OF the post and for building
bridges. roads and wharves. OF this,
N.750 has been provided for In the con-
tract with ]. 8. Antoneie, who has al
ready commenced work on grading the
site of the post. The remainder. s.. 20.
will be utilized in building bridge. known
as No. 2. and In providing wharf for the
north side OF the post In Salmon bay.
Bids for the construction OF the bridge
over the gulch leading to the post were
opened Monday by Capt. Robinson. There
were but two bids, as follows:
Seattle Bridge Company. by T. MePher-
son, $l.s7A
J. 8. Antonelle, 1853
The bids were telsgraphed to Washing
ton. No award has yet been made. and
none. perhaps, win be for several days.
An examination OF these bids and q COM
parison with those rendered by contract
ors last summer for the same piece Of
work. reveals the fact that materials and
l0DuT are Hucu utBntT now IMAM 1fty
were year ago. There Is a perceptihie
increase In the price asked for this work.
The engineers estimate for a bridge 20
feet wide Last summer was 81. 30 and the
lowest bid received was that Of K. e.
McCianahan. for 3l.iN Since then. II has
been decided to reduce the width OF the
bridge TO 20 feet. vet the amount OF the
lowest bid received yesterday was $50
higher for ao-foot wide bridge than the
lowest bid Cor o i0-foot structure last
year. 1t Is just possible that this mat
ter VIII strike the qnar.ermaster general
In such q way that an inquiry viii he
made into the reasons that have caused
the change, and then II viii be officially
known a. Washington that Seattle and
the State OF Washington are both in tho
midst or SEASON OF genuine prosperity:
that wages are higher and the states
products are on the rise.
Capt Robinson paid visit to the post
yesterday afternoon. Ono OF the great
difficulties that now lie In the way Of
reaching the ste u the condition Of the
road. II IL believed that the necessity for
n good roadway 10 the army post win be
recognized by the department and that
one OF the first Improvements to be made
will be in this direction.