Evening journal., 1899-02-20
THAT HBW HIGH SCHOOL
A COMMUNICATIONS FoRwARDE-

-"--A'-~@A-
Ever since the question of a new
High school was first agitated the
people Of this city, especially those
interested In educational matters. have
given the matter considerable atten-
ton.
The first queGdon discussed after a
site had been secured for the build
ing was the matter of cOnhning the
bids for plans to local architects. This
question created considerable breeze
among the members Of the board. and
1t was finally decided to throw the
competition open to all bidders. This
was accordingly done, with the pro
Vlso that tine approximate limit of
buVdlng cost must be 100000.
In September of last year, the 18th
instant, at meeting Of the Board of
Education, Architect George H.
Pierce's plans were accepted by the
building committee and sanctioned by
the board.
A short time afterward Mr.. Pierce
came on from New York and exhibited
his plans, before the members of the
board at their meeting He stated at
that time that the building could be
erected, according to his plans, for
$4,000. This figure did not include
plumbing, heating and vendlating APP
piiances. These could be put in for
$4,000 more making a total cost of
$4,000. He based his calculations on
price of TX cents per cubic foot
Bids were according advertised for,
confined to local contractors alone. for
the erection of the building under Mr.
Pierce's plans, emitting heating and
plumbing appliances. They were re-
ceived and opened on the night of
January 8 last, and the following esti-
mates were submitted
The A. S. Reed and Brother Com
pany, 100000; il Brandywine granite
and Indiana limestone is used, $4,000
will be deducted; $3.50 TO be allowed
for the old building on the lot
William B. Austin. S170.575; TO be
completed by. August l. 1900.
Calvin l. Swayne, Sl71 .927 time for
completion, fifteen months; S169966 if
Woodstock granite is used; S170O97 if
Fight Eastern granite is used; no al
lowance for the present building on
the Delaware avenue lot
II. B. Seeds, $187,974; two years to
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removed for the materials
John B. Johnson, S18S, ,436.
S. j. Newman, $19O.7S1; eighteen
months to complete; s4,75O of by us
ing a certain kind Of min work; S45O
off by using Reading hardware.
William Johnson, S19S, 600, the O,d
building TO be removed for the ma
terials.
On motion of Mr. Carter, the bids
were referred to the committee on
new buildings, with instructions TO re.
port back to the board.
AS all the bids were far in excess
of any expected by the board, the com.
m.utee reported later that without al
tering the plans, but by doing away
with two stories CT stone and substi
tuing brick, and making othei
changes, the cost Of the building cou.(
be reduced $4,000. No provisions re
garding heating or plumbing were {,
be provided for in the new specifca
tions.
This was accordingly done, and ol
Wednesday Of last week the bids wer
again received and opened on the new
specifications. This time. however
but two bids were received, the othe
five failing to bid, claiming that the,
did not have time in which to prepar
bids. The bids were as follows:
A. S. Reed and Brother Company
SlS9,773, for the erection Of the build
ing according TO specifications. /
Brandywine granite is used $500 viii
be deducted If terra Gotta instead O
stone trimmings are used, 81 669 L
be deducted: if terra Gotta cornices ar
used instead Of wood, $2,333 to be ad
ded; and copper cOrnices will be pu
on instead of wood for an additiona
sum Of S1,374. 1t will require 35
working days to complete the build
ing.
c. I. Swayue, sl51 9O3, for the ereC
Uion Of the building, according to spe
cifications. For copper and ston
trimmings. s150,59 for WOOD an
stone trimmings, Sl4S,5O1; wood AN
terra Gotta trimmings, S149 257; fC
copper and terra Gotta trimming
$la9,2SS. If Woodstock granite is use
there will be a reduction Of $3.50, an
If light Eastern granite is used a r.
ductton Of $3.50 Mr.. Swayne desire
fifteen months in which to cOmplet
the building.
Again the lowest bid was S27 OF
over and above the maximum figul
named by Architect George H. Pierc
OF New York. The board was in
quandaIy and after much discussiC
it was decided to refer the matter
the building committee with power
act. So far they have done nothin
and are still wrestling with the pro
lem of how to reconcile Archite
Pierce's statement of the cost with II
bids OF local contractors.
Between January last, the da
upon which the original bids for co
ff1uGiOn were received. and Wedne
day last, when the last bids we
handed in. the first ON January
last, a communication was forward
to the bui-ding committee with the 7
quest that it be read before the boa
that some light might be thrown up,
the methods of Architect Pierce.
Inquiries among several members
the board failed to reveal the IA
howpver that the communication "