The San Francisco call., 1899-12-20
TEMANS MAY
HAVE TO LOSE
THE CONTRA
Their Last Extension
Has Elapsed.
ASK FOR FIFTY DAYS MORE
PUBLIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
TO TAKE ACTION.
Architects Notify the Supervisors
That the Contractors Have Vir-
tually Abandoned the Hall
of Justice.
ASK FOR FIFTY DAYS MORE
PUBLIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
TO TAKE ACTION.

A strong likelihood exists that the con-
tract OF Bateman Bros. on the Hall OF
Justice building will be taken away from
them by the city. At the meeting OF the
Board of Supervisors held December ]
the contractors were granted an exten-
sion, which expired yesterday, when a
communication was filed with the Board
OF Supervisors by the firm asking for a
further extension Of fifty days. AS the
Public Buildings Committee did not meet
yesterday no action was taken, and, con-
sequently, the extension has lapsed and
the contract stands forfeited to the city
The committee will meet this afternoon
to consider the matter.
Chairman Holland has received a let
ter from Shea & Shea, the architects, in
which II is stated that the building had
been virtually abandoned by the contract
ors. and that there yet remained consid-
cradle work TO be done. The communica-
tion reads as follows:
Edward Holland. Chairman Building Com
mittee: In reply 20 your communication
relative 70 the amount OF work performed
upon the Hall OF Justice by Bateman Broth
ers during the last three weeks. covering
the two late extensions OF time granted by
your body. We will state that nothing has
been done except the changing OF three sets
OF doors. The building. since the decision
OF Mayor Phelan relative to the locking de-
vice. has been virtually abandoned by the
contractors
There is a vast amount Of work yet to be
agreement, as follows: Plumbing. $500:
painting. $500; plastering. wood finish. hard
ware. glass. etc. $500: gratings for cell
ridors. elevators. etc. $500; locking devices
for cells, $500.
This work will consume much time in
proper execution and demands immediate
attention at your hands II the costly fit
tings now being placed TO be preserved
from ruin. We therefore ask for instruc-
tions and proper authority TO act In this
very important matter Respectfully.
SHEA & SHEA.
The Mayor is also in receipt of a letter
from the representative of the firm 70
whom the contract for the locking device
Tor the building was 10 have been award
ed. 1t reads:
Mayor James d. Phelan-Dear Sir: Your
favor OF the 18th inst to hand, asking II
Bateman Brothers have as yet made any
arrangements with me for the locking de-
vice for Hall OF Justice. They have not
as yet been TO see me or made inquiry Of
any kind. understand from parties with
whom they have talked on the subject that
they do not intend to purchase any locking
device from the Pauly Jail Company, but
VIII try substitute OF some kind. Re
spectfully. JOHN T. LONG.
When the last extension-among the
many others-was granted 10 the Bate
mans, Mayor Phelan stated that II would
be the last, and intimated that the con-
tractors were acting in bad faith.
1t appears" said the Mayor, "that
the firm is endeavoring to make as much
out OF the $4,000, which was set aside
to complete the building as II possibly
can. l understand that the locking device
will be furnished for $4,000. and that Is
practically all that remains 10 be done
The Batemans evidently desire to substi
tute an inferior device, but they viii
not be permitted to do so. One Of my
first official acts was to sign this con.
tract-nearly three years ago. The build
ing was TO have been finished within the
year, and IL is not done yet. 1t looks as
II the city will be obliged to take the
contract away from them"