Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-15
OUARRIES Compel E
CONTEST OVER CONTRACT FOR
MUNICIPAL BUILDING STONE.
Proposed Elimination of Statues and
Ornamental Work - Commission
to Meet Tomorrow.

1t is understood that the members of the
District building commission at the 1nfor-
NAL meeting to be held at the District
building tomorrow morning will consider
number of propositions submitted to the
commission by various quarries relative to
furnishing stone for the new permanent
home of the District government. The COM
petition to secure the contract for supply
ing stone for the new municipal building
is becoming rather lively among the various
quarries which have submitted bids for the
Job, and in addition to the original propo-
sails it is understood each bidder has sub
mtted subsequent to the bids various sup
Elemental propositions intended to induce
the commission to select the product of his
quarry as the material out of which TO
construct the building.
So far as can be aScertalned there are
still two granite and two marble quarrles In
the running" and representatives OF these
uuarries have not been idle during the past
few months in figuring and devis1ng plans
to reduce the cost of their stone from the
price originally submitted.
The bids for furnishing stone for the new
municipal building were opened last NO
yember and after the prices were obtained
II was evident that in order to build the
structure out of either granite or marble
there would have to be an increase In the
total cost of the project. After considerable
Congress an additional 100000 with which
to build the building out of stone.
Call for Changes in Plans.
1t is stated that several propositions have
been submitted by the various quarries
which call for changes in the plans for the
building and it is understood some of these
provide for the elimination of the statues or
ornamental work around the SIDES OF the
building. This proposition, II IS peneVed,
will be one of the most important that the
members of the commission will have TO
consider In their efforts to select suitable
stone for the building that can be purchas-
ed within the appropriation available
According to the exterior plans for the
new District building provision is mace 1or
twenty-eight statues or ornamental hgures,
to be placed at various intervals on the
sides of the building. These statues IL Is
estimated, will cost between $1,000 ana
So 600 each and at least one of the bidders
has proposed, 1t is understood, that II
the ornamentation is eliminated the CON,
mission will have more money TO eXpeho
for stone for the structure
The commission several months ago I'M
officially expressed a preference for the
Bethel white granite, cut the price sup.
considered beyond the reach OF the COM
mission. Later the commission estimated
that it would have $75O,OOO to spend for
company submitted proposition, making
notifications in the plans, to furnish white
granite for the superstructure at $750,000.
Later Estimate.
In letter to Congress shortly before the
close of the session the commission de-
clared it would have only $3.50 900 to spend
for the stone for the building. This esti-
mate thus far has not been lowered. and it
is presumed that the commission will be
willing to spend something like $650,000
for stone.
1t is pointed out that by eliminating the
statues or ornamental figures on the build
ing that something like 100000 would be
saved for the purchase of stone for the
structure, but it is not known what the
desire Of the commission will be with ref
erence to that proposition. 1t is thought,
however, that they are not favorable to the
elimination of the statues There are ru-
lnors to the effect that members of Con-
gress who are considered as influential fac
tors in District legislation are opposed to
the expenditure of money for statues. and
prefer that the commission spend the
money required for exterior ornamentaIion
for the purchase of better stone for the
whole structure.
The various propositions will be care
fully threshed out by the commission,
either ut the meeting to be held Thursday
or at later meeting.