The Alaska citizen., 1911-02-06

work on the big waterworks contract was begun with rush.
 Well, young man, your fair city is stung," announced Ferris, walking into Bobby's office a few months later
 We're used to it." said Bobby shaking hands with him delightedly. When did you get to town?'
 Yesterday afternoon. but you were not here when l called" replied Fer ris. Nobody seemed to be in yes terday; and since I couldn't meet my man I went out to see your new waterworks. First of all, I wish you would tell me if the city has decid- ed to cut down expenses on that job. or if the plans have been changed for any reason"
 Not that the public knows about Bobby told him.
 Ferris laughed aloud.
 Then you're being beautifully gouged The excavation for the pumping station is completed. The building is over thirty feet shorter and more than twenty feet narrower than called for in the original plans"
 How do you know?" asked Bob by.
 Paced it off, and I'll guarantee to come within two per cent of tape line measurement. have been at this business since l was boy. The trenches are not as deep as specified by two feet. and from the width l can tell that the foundation walls are 10 be at least six inches thinner. l bid on the best grade of Portland cement for that job. It was spelled with a B. however, in my copy of the spec ifiCations. and l asked your man Scales about 1t. Oh said he. that's misprint in the typewriting,' and he changed the B to 'P' with a lead pencil. Under their shed on the site out there by the river they now have thousand barrels of Cortland cement. l never heard Of that brand. but l can tell cement when see it, and this stuff will have no more adhesive power than plain mud. Bedford stone was speci- fled. They have several carloads of stone dumped down there which is not Bedford stone at all. l could tell a piece of it in the dark. This is an inferior grade that will dis color in six months and disintegrate in five years
 Bobby thought the thing over quietly for a while.
 About the dimensions of the | l, inht hn mic taken, might you not?'
 Hardly possible" returned Fer ris. T have not figured on many jobs for years, but our chief esti- mator had been sent down to Cuba when this thing came up and l did the work myself. so l have very vivid memory of it, and cannot pos sibly have 1t confused with any other bid. However, We have all those | things are on record In our office. and I could find out in few minutes by wiring"
 Bobby pushed a pad of paper over to him.
 Write your telegram" said he, and rang for a copy boy. Within twenty-five minutes Ferris had a reply to his telegram: 'Di- mensions power-house one hundred ninety by one hundred sixty" Exactly" said Ferris; and, as l paced it, the present dimensions are one hundred and fifty-eight by one hundred and thirty-three." Again Bobby was thoughtful. Do you remember who else bid on the contract?" he inquired pres ently.
 Every one of them,' smiled Fer ris. T can give you their addresses and the names of the people to wire meet them on every big job"
 Do you mind wiring yourself?" asked Bobby. They would be more apt to give you confidential infor- nation
 With pleasure" agreed Ferris and wrote the telegrams. They went out to lunch and were gone an hour and a half. When they returned most of their tele- grams were in, and the information was unanimous that the original plans had called for a building one hundred and ninety by one hundred and sixty feet
 Now 1 begin to understand" said Ferris. This was the first set of important plans l ever saw in which the dimensions were not marked, but they were most accurately drawn to scale, one-fourth inch to the foot They are probably using the same drawings with an altered scale, al though it would be an absurdly easy trick If that is the case it is easy to see how the Middle West Con- struction company could underbid us by more than a million dollars and figured on"
 Bobby reached for the telephone
 Get me the mayors office," he | called to the girl at his private tel ephone exchange. Will you stick around to see the fuss?" he inquir- ed with grim pleasure, as he hung up the receiver
 Ferris grinned as he noted the light of battle dawning in Bobby's eyes.
 T don't know" he replied. Tt depends on the size and duration of the fuss"
 If you don't stay I'll have you subpoenaed. I may have to, any how. AS for the size of the fuss, can promise you bully one if what | you surmise is correct"
 His telephone bell rang and Bobby turned to 1t quickly.
 Hello, Chalmers!" he began, then laughed.
 Beg your pardon, De Graf; | fhn110ht If tho 70