The diamond drill., 1921-03-19

Says school Contract Was Not On n
Percentage Basis Board Added On


Mr. r. +. Farmelee, the Iron Mohn-
tain architect. writes the following
letter In regard to the Porter school
controversy to the Tribune-GaEette.
Dear Sir:
Referring 10 your last evenings ac-
count taken from the Crystal Falls
Drill as to the cost and estimate for
the addition 10 the Porter School at
Alpha. Mich. I wish TO make some
corrections in regard TO the figures
given and also as 10 the estimate
given NJ that time
The addition was not built on the
percentage basis as stated; that Is
the general construction OF the build
ing. This was let by contract 70 G.
A. Custafson of Norway. Mich, for
the sum OF Ss9.S20 The only work
done on the percentage basis was the
heating and electric work which was
At the time considered the only pos
sihle way.
The addition did not cost $4,000
as stated. The amount has never
been given out by the board 70 the
architect. and DO not believe the
cost TO exceed forty-six or foriy-sey-
EN- thousand dollars.
The Architec, has not asked the
beard 20 pay him a commission on
S65.0Q0 but far from this amount The
percentage contract l have with the
board reads per cent net cost OF the
building or addition. and not 4 per
cent as stated. II also reads net
cost Of the work and material and
not The estimate OF SSe0No
TIE estimate $4,000 as stated for
the work Is correct and Il would have
done this work complete had labor
and material stayed normal but in
stead Il advanced from 50 10 ioo per
ceat. between May 1919 az which time
the contract was given and the time
the contract was let, which was r.
bout 40 DAYS later.
Outside of the contract the board
ordered fuel addition to be built OF
brick and concrete. one room finished
in the attic Cor the JanitOr. and one
extra boiler which was found 10 be
necessary and This called for = com
plete new chimney seventy-four feet
higA. whieh cost With the boiler COM
plete set up about $500. All os this
was approved b. The board and order
ed cone
The entire building was ordered re-
wired in conduct. while the plans FOR
the addition called for only rs outlets
which cost would not be over s3Se
No; only was the building rewsred but
the domestic scierce room was wired
Cor stoves. etc
The entire building on the interior
was decorated from TOP 10 bottom
and this was also ordered BY the
Board
The above work was all ordered and
paid Cor hy the Board and this i
where they went over the estimate
and they thought ! should not make
any charge for this extra work but 70
settle on the estimate Of sSe.ece
The estimate given 10 the Board
was in May 1878 and AZ the Tine was
correct The plans Tor the work Wss
ordered and from the time they we're
ordered until I had them completed
and approved Nv the state advertis-
ea for bids. Il vas some torty DAYS
lafer. In the mean time a cOntrae'
had been les for the excavation and
tho concrete walls On order that this
be done Tor the construction part a.
hove. The CONTRACT vas Awarded Tor
about SS.eoO
In conclusion l Nigh; say The board
was very Agreeable and Ne had no
trcuhle whatever The work wss
done very satisfactory - the Board
and Architect.
They wish ne 70 settle with them
on Tie estimate given them in May
1918 and they cannot understand why
1 should be pad Cor tAis extra work