Evening journal., 1916-01-06
need $4,000 MORE
TO Furnish new
COUNTY BUILDING
Continued from First Page.

Continued from First Page.
saved 10 per cent. of the cost Of the
buildings that otherwise would have
to be spent. Contractors were sur
prised when they we're told that there
would be no rebate. no graft and moth
ing but the square deal would pre-
vail in every instance in regard to
contracts
When the granite was ordered for
the buildings II was found that tho
quarries were slack. and Chairman
Scott once more dickered over the
prices and saved over $40. 900 on granite
Every cent Of this money saved has
been used, because more work was
done than had been contemplated orig
inally Now it comes to the final acts
needed to furnish and equip the build
ing, and the letters sent out yester-
day. which are appended, explain the
situation:
January 5. 1916.
To the Honorable Chief Justice and
Associate Judges of the State Of
Delaware.
Gentlemen. In the petition which
hrst brought to public notice the sub
1ect of the erection of new public
buildings for New Castle county and
the City of Wilmington and at the sub
sequent meetings throughout the city
and county and the discussions in City
Council, the Levy Court. grange meet
ings, etc. all spoke of the subject as
joint buirding to which the city was 10
contribute 100000. and New Castle
county 100000 as It was estimated
that the space required by the city
would be one-third greater than need
ed by the county. The acts passed by
The Legislature, however. did not pro-
vide for a "ioint building" in any
sense except the buildings be erected
on adjoining lands. and required that
the sums of money set apart by each
we're to be expended separately-eac
Tor its own account-for its own
building.
We bought the land as soon as pos
sible. and proceeded to collect what
Information we could as to the num-
ber of public offices. and their require
ments. which should be housed in the
buildings. This data was also neces-
sary so that the architects could in
;eligently prepare their plans. etc.
It soon became apparent that the
county offices would require much
more cubic space than had been car
lior estimated in fact nearly as much
rs the city building, although the lat
ter would have to have much more
equipment, etc. The problem then
arose how to construct Of suitable
lasting material on the plans as out
lined the county building for the sum
Of money allotted it and also equip
and furnish same"
We examined the subject from every
viewpoint and decided to ask the Levy
Court to let us meet with them. \ con
ference was held and all our plans and
estimates submitted to them We he
lieved it unwise to build with any ma
tcrial but stone or TO cut down the size
of the building, as to do so would frus-
trate the objects desired. The Levy
Court agreed with us and we promised
TO 20 ahead with the work as outlined
and erect the building Of most suitable
materials TO be gotten, and in case VIC
had not enough money TO fully equip
and furnish same" the Lew Court
agreed to do so. II was, Of course. inn
perativc that the County Building
should be Of the same material and
match in character and design the City
Building.
By reason Of trade conditions last
year we were very fortunate in making
our contracts, and by about April lst
we expect to have finished the building,
stripped of every unnecessary thing.
within the appropriation. We shall not
be able to provide all the necessary
equipment, although We expect to he
able to pay for some of il. We shall
submit herewith a statement Of the ad-
ditional items that win likely be re-
quired, together with dealers estimates
Of cost Of same
We think this matter should be
brought to the attention of the Levy
Court at this time. 30 that they may
arrange to have the work done, and re-
spcctfully suggest the enclosed state
ment be forwarded to the Levy Court
for theri consideration and action.
We expect to complete the Municipal
building within its appropriation. and
could have done all the work of both
buildings within the amount of the two
appropriations had il been permitted tol
apply the Joint funds 10 the common
purpose. Respectfully submitted.
New Castle Co. Building Commission
Bv Harlan G. Scott, Chairman.