The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-06

hANCd ny LllG pAOpSA BOdLu anu y. Il, u
by the chairman of your committee.
Respectfully submitted,
James Turner, Chairman,
Geo. p. Homnes,
w. ]. Price.
Report of Architect A. J. O'Shea.
TLs building generally, while in no
immediate danger of collapse. shows
serious indications of disintegration
and judging by the rapidly with which
the faults have developed, viii be I'M
tenable in FIVE years from now, unless
practically reconstructed, which would
cost almost as much as new build
ing and result would be at best an
undesirable structure.
In this report, therefore. only such
repairs are considered as are neces-
sary to render the building weather.
proof, safe and habitable for from five
to seven years.
Outside of Building.
An examination of the outside of the
building shows innumerable cracks
extending through the walls Of the
entire building. including the recent
addition, indicating faulty or INSULT
cient footlngs under the foundation
walls. While there is no immediate
danger of the collapse of any wall, the
faulty or insufficient footngs will in
comparatively short time cause the
destruction of the building.
Removal OF the footings and re-
placement of proper footings and re-
moval and replacement of the face
brick, while possible, would, from a
commercial point of view, be unad-
visable.
1t would be advisable, however, as
soon as the weather permits, to re-
pair any cracked arches over windows
or doors and to repair the brickwork
at tops of outside walls where the
same have been weather damaged.
1t would be advisable to repair the
cornice and roof cutters and rain lead
ers, to prevent further damage to the
brickwork
A new roof covered with metal flash
ings is absolutely necessary on the en-
tire structure.
About 100 windows need refiting and
weather proofing, as the windows are
old and shrunken; this could be best
done by using substantial zinc weather
strips, and pointing all stills and flash
ing some stills.
There are some other minor repairs
which it would be advisable to make
on the outside of the building.
Inside of Building.
1t is necessary to place substantial
beams and posts in the rotunda in
the. basement and on the first floor
also a steel beam under one wall of
the library, over the west corridor on
first floor.
An examination Of the roof of the
old part of the structure shows the
main supporting trusses I'm apparent
good condition, but the lighter beams
and struts and joists are insufficient
to carry a moderate snow load, and
steps should be taken to
reinforce the roof, care being taken
to allow practically no snow to lay on
the roof until it Is properly strength
ened.
1t is advisable to place proper steps
or stepladders at various points on
he upper story, to the attic and in the
attic where the levels differ, and prop
er board runways should be placed in
he attic so that access could be had
% the different parts of the attic with
tut danger of damaging the plaster.
II would be advisable to remove the
water tanks from the attic.
Wherever the plastering is loose. the /
ath as well as the plaster should be
e moved and replaced with new mater
ais. This would apply to all ceilings
which have not been replaced in recent
years.
All walls and ceilings of all rooms |
nd offices should be tinted In colors
Without any attempt at ornamentation. |
would not be necessary to redecorate |
ny of the rooms or offices where no |
clustering has to be removed or
atched.
1t would be advisable to give all |
arnished woodwork coat of varnish.
alf rubbed, after all minor repairs are
made to doors, windows and other
woodwork.
1t is advisable that the supreme
curt be provided with a new court
DOM, utilizing the old senate chamber
Dr. that purpose, lowering part Of the
cling to restore the symmetry Of the
Dom, replastering all walls and CELL
1g, burlapping the walls and ceiling,
anelling the ceiling and wainscotting
ne room with marble, the object be-
1g to give to the room simple ele-
ance commensurate with the dignity
it's use The marble, the most ex-
ensive item in the treatment of the
ourtroom, could be reused in another
fracture with very little loss In value,
The electric wiring is in very bad
ondltion and should be repaired so
5 to lessen the risk from fire.
The steam and water pipes to the
'owerhouse should be dug up and
roperly covered.
No tunnel is recommended for the
anne at this time.
The boilers In the powerhouse
hould be reset as soon as possible.
he brick work Of same is In very bad
ondition.
To improve the water supply, 1t lis !
dvised that pneumatic system be /
REQUIRED, the tank of suitable capacity
eing placed in the basement Of the !
ipitol building, and gasoline engine
nd pump Installed In the powerhouse
nd connected to the tank by proper
Iping.
This style Of water supply system
; an improvement on the elevated
nix or stand pipe.
While the plumbing Is not what is
alled first class, no changes to the
me are herein considered.
While there Ii practically no sys-
matte ventilation in the building no /
stallation Of mechanical ventilation
herein considered, In view OF the
.pense Of same and the depreciating /
iaracter of the building. II