The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-26
STHATEHOUSE PLUMBING
ENGINEER SHUT HAS PREPARED
THE SPECIFICATIONS.
An Appropriation of $1,000 Available
"A silly story Denied
Use of Coal.

Statehouse Engineer Samuel c. Shut has
submitted to the Governor, auditor and
attorney general specifications for certain
plumbing which he expects to have done at
the Capitol next month in accordance with
an appropriation law enacted by the last
Legislature. The law set aside for State
house plumbing the sum of $1,000. of which
50 800 will be available Nov. l, 1901, and the
remaining $500 on July l, 1902. The speci-
fications submitted by Engineer Shut were
approved by the officials named after At
torney General Taylor had suggested a
few minor changes to make them conform
strictly to the law
Mr.. Shut said yesterday that inasmuch
as the closets of the State building need
overhauling much more than any other
part of the plumbing. they will be attended
TO first The closets are those that were
put in when the building was erected about
only out of date, but are in a sadly dilapi-
dated condition, some of them i'm danger of
total collapse. When this part of the work
is completed, if there remains any money
belonging to this particular appropriation
unexpended. Mr.. Shut will expend the
balance or so much as is necessary in re-
are in poor condition.
Bids for the plumbing work have been
invited from contractors in this city, La
fayette, Terre Haute and Fort Wayne Mr.
Shut was asked as to the truth of a report
originating from a Democratic source to
the effect that he intended to have this
plumbing done without inviting bids, and
that a relative of his would be given
the contract.
THAT story is almost too silly to denv.'
he replied AS to "A son of mine doing
the work, that is impossible, since [ have
no children. In regard to a relative get
ting the contract l will state that | have
no relative engaged in business anywhere
in this State except two sisters-in-law
and they conduct stand at the city market
here. But the story is lie made out of
whole CLOTH" he continued. 81 have sub
mitted specifications for the plumbing TO
the Governor. auditor and attorney gem
eral, and they have adopted them When
the contract is let il must he let subject to
the approval of the state auditor. so that
there could hardly be anything secret
about it,
Another situation that is confronting the
engineer is that the States contract with
the gas company for providing the State
house with natural gas will expire next
Friday, and Mr.. Shut has been formally
notified that the company will not renew
the contract on account of lack of gas
This makes necessary the burning of coal
in the Capitol building, a thing that has
been dreaded for some time past. The en-
gineer has invited bids from number of
local coal dealers. specifying that the sue
cessful bidder is to furnish Goo bushels or
less of hard coal each year. The use of
soft coal is out Of the question on account
of the smoke and SCOT II creates. The fine
decorations in the StatehOuse would not
long withstand daily baths in smoke and
cOatings of SCOT. Hard coal is controlled
by Eastern people. and for this reason
there is no necessity for inviting bids from
fuel dealers outside of Indianapolis The
contract for coal Will also be let subject TO
the law.