The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-26
What Various Persons Who
Had Charge Of Work
Have to Say About
Report Of In
SpeCtOr.

Declaring that the concrete used In
dreproofing the steel beams of the root
Is detective. and that the stucco work
of the exterior Is not standing the
strain OF the weather, Building Inspec-
tor Henry P. Beck, who, on yesterday
filed his report as to the condition of
the State Capitol, stated, nevertheless
as predicted in this paper. that the
building is in no danger OF collapse
that the floors are not overloaded at
present and that the Washington statue
is safe from harm, certainly for the
moment. However, the inspector
recommends immediate attention tc
certain defects, and suggests that al
persons be kept out OF the attic room
until the concrete casing around the
bottom of the roof beams is entirely
removed. This concrete is intended 70
fireproof the steel beams, ana it's re-
moval in no sense affects the strength
OF the structure.
Mr.. Beck also calls attention to the
need of repairs to the exterior stucco
work. window caps, etc, and also 10
the advisability of RELAXING the portico
floor with waterproof material in or
der that the basement offices may lie
freed from the dampness when has
been noticeable ever since the building
was remodeled.
All OF the trouble reported seems to
be in the so.called old part" no Sc
rious defects having developed in the
two annex buildings which now CORN
the House and Senate chambers.
What They Say Of 1t.
The remodeling of the Capitol at a
cost of about 100000 was authorized
by the Legislature of 1904, which APP
pointed as tbs commission in charge Of
the work, GoYernor.A. J. Montague, ex-
,officio chairman. from the Senate. Hon.
George Wayne Anderson. of Richmond;
Hon, Archer A. Piliegar. of Christians
burg. and Hon. George B. Keezell, of
Harrisonburg; from the House, Hon.
Upton D. Jennings. of Lynchburg:
Hon. A. NJ. Bowman. of Salem. and
Hon. S. L. Kelley. of Richmond. After
receiving competitive designs. this
commission employed as architects to
supervise the construction OF the build
Ing. Messrs Noland and Baskervill,
of Richmond: Frye and Chesterulan, of
Lynchburg, and John Kevan PEBBLES.
of Norfolk, the contract for the work
being let to Mr.. w. a. Chesterman, of
Richmond. Mr.. William Gibson. Jr.,
was engaged by the commission as
clerk Of the work, and was ms tructed
TO be on the job every day and super.
wise the mixing of the concrete, in
spect the material used, and In every
way see that the contract was carried
OUT,
Speaking for the commission yester-
day afternoon, Colonel Anderson; now
Assistant City Attorney, said that the
members had relied upon the architects.
I'VE We're but laymen," said Colonel
Anderson. 1--WE employed three of the
best known firms of architects in the
State. and paid them to draw up the
plans ana specifications and to oversee
the work OF construction AS an addi-
tional precaution we employed Mr.. VIII
showed the building TO be structurally
be constantly on the spot to see that
the contract was fulfilled in every de-
tail"
Bt Chcsterman "Stands Pat
When asked about the matter, Mr..
holland said he was fully satisfied that
the plans and specifications of the ar
chitects were correct. and that Mr..
Beck's report. as he had expected,
holland, hut we gave general super
according to contract and to the plans
OF the architects.
% We were given no voice In the Sc
lection of the supervisor which the
State kept on the ground" said Mr..
Noiand. but we gave general super
ing and saw that the general plans and
fpecitications were carried out, as Mr..
Beck's report shows they We're, or
course, the architects were not on hand
TO see TO the mixing OF each lot OF
concrete, this being left TO the COM
missions supervisor on the ground,
Mr.. Chestermar, the general contrac-
tor, declined TO discuss the report of
the inspector, merely saying that he
would stand pat on the job. as COM
pIeted. Mr.. Gibson, the supervisor Of
ton referred TO by the others, also de-
ciined TO comment on the report be-
ycnd saving he understood that the
defects noted We're Of minor charac-
ter and that the Jon as whole had
been executed according 10 contract,
Mr.. Gibson referred all Inquiries to the
supervising architects, Messrs. holland
a. Baskerville
Kenort of Inspector,
The Capitol and Library Commits
sion, IN session yesterday, received MIR.
Besb.~ xsnort ana In the main approved