Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-02-24

. 7 = \ I ID u
inner columns from the front pcrtico
the contractors made q profit OF $3,400,
$500.
That the public may fully understand
this matter wish to call attention to
the fact. that when called to this work
found a partially completed building
much valuable stone and marble on
nand, and an appropriation wholly and
admittedly insufficient to complete the
building as originally designed. When
made the plans. IL was to utilize all
the very expensive columns then lying
Ion the ground. and considered fit for
use. that largely induced me to pro-
vide for two inner columns on the front
portico. IL turned out with this work
as is generally the case I'm remodeling
old. or partially completed buildings,
that many notifications and changes
became necessary, and We're made with
the consent and approval OF the COM
mission, as a rule Col. Marshall being
the only one dissenting.s In hoisting
these massive columns into position,
one or them broke by it's own weight
when being removed from it's position
on TIE ground. An examination set
tied beyond question that there was a
defect in the stone. which then showed
way through. 1t was generally be-
iieved and conceded that the loss fell
upon the State. The matter was
promptly reported. was OF the opin-
a best
to omit the two inner columns, because
there would be more floor space, be-
cause the architectural features would
be just as good. because with slight
changes (omitting wood truss and
substituting steel trussed perlins) the
strength OF the structure would not
pe impaired in the least; because it
would save much time i'm completing
the work, and because 1t would save
rather than cost the State anything,
Ihe contractors offered to furnish n
new column for $1,000, necessitating
seVeral months delay; or, piece the
broken column for $500, causing q de-
lay of one month, or change the plans
and omit the two columns, causing no
delay, and deduct from the contract
price $500, which 1t was shown by an
itenized statement would be saved to
the contractors by the change. With
all this information before the com
mission, after full considera tion, 1t de-
cided by a vote of to 3, to change
the original plan and omit the two
coiumns, thus saving to the State $500,
Wlthout detriment to the work, and
giving these columns to the State for
monumental purposes
Mr.. Hunt talks about "the stone lin
tel ana brick work on top of these coll
for any such thing. And yet this will
ing witness, unable to condemn the
sufiiciency of the "bracing and anchor
ing, goes out OF his way to suggest
construction throughout this building"
Again, this government" witness
says the two massive square pillars,
under the ,portico, " ow perform no
GUY en at az: Any sane person can see
Tor nimself that these piers, originally
constructed principally to support the
TWO inner columns, since the change
support much of the portico. And it
was to get such witness that the. in
Vestigating committee passed over so
many southern architects and con-
fractions OF known ability and integ-
rity.
Fifth. That the new leaf work on
the capitals is not as fine as the old.
1t being impracticable to get the
stone for this new work from the old
quarry, stone was selected which
matched 1t exactly, and the same ac-
cepted with the bid of the contractors
the only slight difference, and which
Is not appreciable, in the work on the
capitals, Is due to the fact that the
Pacolet granite is trine softer and
high finish.
Sixth. That Intel stones should ex-
tend from columns at the rear OF the
portico to corresponding front columns,
Where there are sheet iron boxes paint
ed to resemble granite.
Ihat Is Just according to the plans
and specifications, first-class galvan-
iZed iron being used. which was as
good as could be afforded with the ap-
Nopriation, and answers every pur-
pose.
In reference to the glass floor which
leaks in rainy weather, j beg to say it
does leak and regret it.. In my eff
fort to give all the light possible to
the offices and passageways below, I
selected this style of floor light, which
Is suitable for the place. Unfortunately
there is but little fall, and yet 1 gave
It all l possibly, could to connect with
the granite work and the height of the
second floor doorway entering the lob
by. This is no fault of mine;
1t is one of the troubles en-
countered in remodeling or adding to
q building. The chief trouble, how
ever. with the portico floor is that
to accommodate the legislature it was
laid just before the meeting of that
body and was walked on and abused
before the concrete and cement mate
rial set sufficiently The natural con-
sequence was that it was damaged and
sun presents bad appearance. An
inspection OF the rear portico floor,
which was not so used and abused will
substantiate this contention.
AS to the ceiling of the portico, do
not know of any material more sui
able for such ceilings. 1t is made from
the SaIle class OF material that was
removed bv the contractors from the
main lobby, although not the same de-
sign. | wonder If the gentlemen of the
committee know that the
portico ceiling in the main entrance
lngton was common plastcring, and
that leaks from the roof caused somE$
of ii to fall. W
Seventh That the roof is "tar an
gravel roof, unsuitable, and leaks&
badly
1t is not a tar and gravel roof, but
is OF the very finest quality of asphalt
and crushed quartz, and there is no
doubt about its answering the purpose
for at least ten years, as the roof con-
tractors gave guarantee for ten wears
against leaks and material wear and
tear. This samo class of roofing is on
the following buildings in the city OF
Washington, ID. c.:
Atlantic Coast Line office building,
southern Railway office building, Iowa
department. house, Raleigh hotel, Bliss
department. house, United States Cen
sus building, government printing