The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1911-02-17

! lnen were there Oh the JOD anu nat
gone ahead and set them lower, an(
they were walled up before he no
ticed it. Architect Chandler hat
first noticed it when he came. The
contractor was responsible, but Mr.
Chandler had said that he would
see Mr.. Scherer, chairman of the
building committee, and if he was
satisfied nothing would be said
about it and the contractor not re
quired to raise them. No building
superintendent was immaculate.
Matter of Air Spaces.
! Dr. Beach said that it was report
ed that the two inch air space in the
brick walls had been changed to one
/ inch, and that plaster had filled this
space, making the walls practically
solid
/ Mr.. Pass said that the plans call
| for eighteen inch walls, and that
this ordinarily means eighteen in
ches to the outside of the plastering
This had reduced the air space to
one inch, although the plans call
for two inch space. If anyone had
said that the hollow space was fill.
ed up it was a deliberate falsehood
In some little places it might be,
but not generally, for he had in.
structed the masons to be very care
full to leave the space open.
Alleged Unnecessary Expense.
DR.. Beach asked in regard to iron
columns placed in one of the walls,
where not called for by the plans.
Mr.. Pass said that he had not
ordered them put in, but that he had
recommended that this or something
else be done, and that the building
committee had secured the columns
He had studied on the question for
days and days and had decided that
the piers were not strong enough.
He had written to Mr.. Chandler,
and the latter had replied to have
them made of paving brick laid in
cement. The building committee had
secured heavier columns than were
needed, but it was a good job.
Mr. Davies of the building com
mittee said that Mr.. Pass had said
that the weight of one end of the
truss would rest on this pier, and
this being the case it looked bad,
and upon the recommendation of Mr..
Pass he and Mr.. Scherer had in
structed Ole Grue to get the columns
When Mr.. Chandler was heard from
il was learned that the weight did
not rest on these piers, but on an
other wall, and the extra expense Of
the columns was needless.
Mr.. Pass said that he figured that
"the little rotten piers had to carry
a weight of thirty-eight tons.
Mr.. Scherer asked how it was that
the exit from the fire escape was
walled up.
Mr.. Pass said that he knew moth.
ing of it, except that it was done
by Mr.. Chambers orders, as the lat
ter had understood that it was to be
left out. He supposed that this was
also understood by the board.
Concrete VS.. Dirt footinss.
DR.. Beach asked why it was neces-
sary for the board at it's next to the
last meeting to pass resolution
that the concrete foOtings were to
be put in under the boilers as per
the specifications.
Mr. Pass said that this kind of a
footing was not necessary and
would make added expense The
ground was solid enough.
Mr.. Scherer said that the former
plans had called for the necessary
concrete under the boilers.
Mr.. Pass said that the contractor
has the boiler room right according
to the plans and that C. M. Masters
should raise his boilers four inches
rather than lower the floor that
much. Some people think that be-
cause | live in Mankato | do not
know anything" said Mr. Pass. II
know all about the soil here and
what kind of footings are needed. y
Mr.. Hughes: You did not in
tend to change the plans without
orders from the building committee
and the board, did you, Mr.. Pass?"
Mr.. Pass: mo, SIR
Building Committees Side.
President Holbrook called upon
Mr. Scherer to present specifications
against Mr.. Pass work
Mr.. Scherer: 81 don't know, if
the board is going to resolve itself
into court of inquiry, as I have
charges to make. None of the air
ducts are plastered on the inside ac.
cording to the specifications. Mr..
Grue said that Mr.. Pass ordered him
not to plaster them"
Mr.. Pass said that this was q mat
ter of Interpretation. The specifica.
tons call for plastering, but do not
specify the kind of plaster. and
therefore he did not think that thew
meant literally that plaster was to
be put on, but rather that the inside
be pointed up neatly. He had never
seen flue of that kind, but pre-.
sumed that it was intended to be as
smooth as possible. If plastered
with bricklayer's trowel it would
be as rough as it could be. The
contractors took their own chances