The San Francisco call., 1909-05-28
SHARP CLASHES
MARK WORKS
BOARD INQUIRY
Accusation of Favoritism in Let
ting Contract ArOuses the
Ire of McGiIyray
Mayor SmOoths Commissioner s
Ruffled Feathers and Re-
stores Peace

Insinuations that the board Of public
works had been in the habit OF favor
ing contractors bidding on public work
caused a fiery outburst yesterday after
noon at the hearing before Mayor
Taylor Of the charges made by the good
government league against the mem
bers Of the board for the use of an
alleged inferior material in the con-
struction of the infirmary.
Why don't you prove it?" shouted
Commissioner J. d. McGilvray Jr., as
Attorney Milton U'Ren, representing
the league. cast a reflection on the
board at the close of the examination
Of Prof Charles B. Wing of Stanford
we don't want to get into a
wrangIe, ssntlemen." interposed the
mayor pacihcally
i don't want TO talk 10 you at ALL
Mr.. McGilvray,'' retorted U'Ren.
WING was cross examined at length
bv Matt Sullivan. attorney for the Con
don -McGIynn company, which is con
structing the infrmary. He admitted
that the electric welding Of the Clinton
fabric probably added 10 per cent TO
its efficiency, but he insisted that the
main thing in developing the strength
of the concrete was the sectional area
of steel
MAKES MILD CRITICISM
Wing did indulge in mild criticism
Of the specifications. saying that the
term "of equal strength in reference
10 the use Of reinforcement. was too
indefinite. He added that it would be
unfair TO the other contractors who
bid to permit the use of a less area Of
steel than was called for in the speci-
fications.
Mayor TAYLOR became fretful as a
result of the desultOry nature of the
proceedings and remarked that it ap-
peared to him all the contractors would
have an equal chance. as they were
bidding on the same plans and specifi-
cations. U'Ren expressed the opinion
that such a view would give the Clin
ton fabric men a monopoly. He fol-
lowed with his observation which
aroused the ire of McGilvray.
II the board is going TO be held re-
sponsible for every little defect in the
specifications we might as well plead
guilty now" said President Charles A.
Day after the mayor had restored
peace
I. A. Norris. representing Clinton
fabric. testified that other contractors
beside the Condon-M -McGlynn company
had secured figures on which to base
their bids for the infirmary work
Carl Jones. superintendent of con-
struction of the building, testified that
different grades Of fabric had been
used. but they ali complied with the
requirements set forth in the archi-
tects letter.
LAUGH on U'REN
Attorney CRen brought the laugh on
himself by questioning the witness re-
garding defective flooring in the sani-
tary tower. He asked whether or not
il was checked and would have to come
out The witness routed U'Ren by re-
plying that the floor in particular was
built with steel rods instead Of Clinton
fabric. the material that U'Ren was
opposing because the same sectional
area as OF steel rods was not being
used.
Contractor Charles G. McGiynn said
his firm had complied with the require
ments Of the late City Architect New
ton Ihsrp. He dWelt on the fact that
his firm underbid all other contractors
by SIS 600. He recalled conversations
with Tharp in which the latter was
very prQnounced in resenting the aetiv-
1tT Of General Backus. president of the
Western expanded metal company. for
stirring MP trouble because Clinton
fabric had been used.
An effort will be made to bring the
hearing TO a close when it is resumed
next Wednesday afternoon at o'clock