The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-12-04
NORMAL BUILDINGS
ARE FIRST CLASS
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS, AFTER
A CAREFUL, COMPLETE EXAM.
NATION OF THE NORMAL
BUILDINGS, FIND THEM FIRST
CLASS IN CONSTRUCTION.

| committee OF building and Struc
tural experts, selected by the residen
member of the Normal Board and it.
secretary, J. M. Devine, on Tuesday
/ November 18th, made complete anc
careful examination of each of tn.
State Normal Buildings, at this CITY
now now rapidly approaching completion
/ The committee was composed of n. G.
1 Lykken, structural engineer and of
fetal building Inspector of Crane
! Forks, N. Oak, and j. c.. Woodruff
well known architect of the CITY OF
Minot. We give below the report Of
the committee in full and as it was
! filed with the resident member Of tho
Normal Board, j. M. Devine:
Mlnot, N. OAK, Nov. Is. 1913
10 the Honorable Secretary of the
State Normal Board, J. M. Devine.
Sir:
Your special committee selected TIC
make an examination Of the material;
workmanship and other structural do
tails of the buildings Of the Minot
| Normal School beg leave to report as
follows:
All of the buildings. the power
plant, dormitory, and the main build
ing, were examined in detail.
All of the concrete work in the
foundations, walls, columns, girders
and floor slabs, were tested with a
hammer. All parts of the buildings
especially in the power house and
main building where all such work is
still exposed, was gone over carefully.
IN our judgment the concrete work Is
hrSt class as to materials and work
manship.
There appears to be only small
portion of the original concrete left in,
this being in the walls of the air ducts
or tunnel, in the main building and
gymnasium. We understand that this
part is to be reinforced with an 8 in.
brick wall which will make them per-
fectly satisfactory from structural
standpoint. There is not in place any
defective concrete, subject to bearing
loads
The brickwork is generally good,
both as to face of brick and to general
wall construction. The mortar is
hard and well set The vertical Joints
of the face brick, in the dormitory es-
pecially are not true to line as might
be desired and give the best effect to
the Flemish Bond used. But in our
opinion, owing to the variation of the
length and width of the brick, wider
joint would have been necessary for
any better results.
Most of the plastering in the dor
mitory is completed, and the upper
floors nearly complete as to finish. We
found the plastering satisfactory as to
thickness, workmanship
and finish. All Of the trim and wood
work in place is first class, as well
as the painting and tinting done to
date.
We deem it unnecessary to go fur
Their into details in this report as it
:an be stated that the materials and
are satisfactory, and
hat there are no inherent defects in
any Of the buildings.
The plans and specifications were
constantly referred to during the ex-
as well as the Superinten-
lent in charge.
A few minor details in the matter
If finish and some slight changes
we're noted and a list of them given to
he Superintendent in charge.
Respectfully submitted,
Signed: H. G. LYKKEN,
City Engineer and Building In
spector Of Grand Forks, N. Oak.
Signed. J. c. WOODRUFF,
Archt., Minot, N. Oak.
The friends of the Normal School, |
throughout the entire Northwest sec
ion of the State, and the people of !
his City, should be pleased and graf
fled with the character and findings
If this report. 1t was made by men
If unquestionable ability and honesty
IF character, and should satisfy every
friend Of the Normal School, as well |
as end completely, the unjust, malic-
Gus attacks, made not only upon the |
character Of the work going into these
anything to do either with the work |
upon the buildings, or in directing that
work. One doesn't easily reach the
that there are those in our |
midst, who, Judging by their continu-
rus and unjust attacks, would no doubt |
oe more pleased to learn that the
buildings were faulty in construction,
,otally unfit for the purpose for which
hey had been erected, than to know
hat they stand today, main building
md girls dormitory, the two best
buildings of their kind in the state.
Since the first Of April, up to date,
have watched the progress on these
from day to day, and there.
ore anticipated that the report would
,e just about what was handed in as
he official report of the committee.
Wy instruction to these men, before
upon their duties as expert
was to make complete,
thorough examination, Of each separ-
tie part Of these buildings and from
OPP to bottom, inclusive Of the power
louse. If there was anything, even
n the smallest degree, that was faul-
y; not good job, not up to specifica-
ions, they were to make note of it,
md include it in their report, but if,
N the other hand, the buildings were
rood in detail or as whole, l wanted
hem to state that fact, since the re-
possibility Of this important work
vas theirs and not mine. That they
.uod n "a thn naOnle as well as tO