Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1890 [PAGE 103]

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106

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

t h a n hand-made, which has materially reduced their profits and gives us a better building. But there is no claim for extras on this account, for it was stated to them before signing the contract, t h a t both these conditions would probably be required. On this account, t h e use of some old lumber, fence-posts, etc., for scaffolding has been allowed them. For economy, it was decided to substitute oak blocks built up of 2x6 plank set on edge for the stone blocks originally intended to be set beneath the ends of the main trusses to distribute the pressure over a safe area of the walls. They are just as good, and will be durable in their position. Mr. Felkel has made the request t h a t the iron and steel work be inspected in Cleveland instead of here, t h a t any rejected work might be more quickly replaced with a saving of freights, and has suggested Mr. Probert, inspector of all iron and bridge-work for the city, as a proper man to be employed to make this inspection and the tests of the materials. I replied to Mr. Felkel t h a t this arrangement would be inadmissable, and t h a t it did not appear to me t h a t the University would obtain greater security t h a t proper materials were used, than if samples were tested here by Professor Woods, as we should be compelled in some degree to rely on the honor and good faith of himself and the manufacturers of the work; t h a t it might be possible to send Mr. Schaefer to Cleveland to inspect the work, when completed, but t h a t this would require action of your committee, if done; further, t h a t if the materials and work were in accordance with the contract and specifications, he need not fear rejection of either. If the committee has any preferences in this matter of testing samples and inspection of the work, I shall carry out its orders with pleasure; otherwise, I will inspect the work when received here, in accordance with the contract, and will act as appears advisable in regard to testing samples. I t may, perhaps, be of some use to require a certificate on honor, or an affidavit, from Mr. Felkel and the manufacturers, t h a t the samples have been taken from the materials actually used for the work. Mr. Felkel appears to be simply a contracting engineer, who sub-lets his work to the manufacturers, but I have not thought it necessary to raise t h a t question under the contract, since the work is required in the least time and at the least cost possible. Sufficient lumber will also be required for a staging for the erection of one main truss, as this can be so arranged t h a t it can be readily moved tor use in erecting the others. I believe the erection of the frame-work of the roof will be easy and rapid. I t will be necessary to paint the external wood-work, the shingles, and t h e tin roof, at any rate, whether the sash and glass are put in the windows now or not. Sufficient earth should also be taken from the interior properly to grade around the exterior and to cover the brick foundation walls, as intended, so t h a t this can be sown with grass seed this fall. Since a large part of my' time has been required for superintendence, arranging and completing contracts, specifications, etc., in order to get these papers and the working blue-prints out in time, I have found it absolutely necessary to employ some assistance in staking out and leveling for the building, and also in making the tracings of the drawings, all this amounting to about $18, I believe. I have also paid out personally $6.39 for materials for drawings, tracings, blue-prints, postage, etc. With all my endeavors for economy, the cost of some items of the work has exceeded my estimates by a few hundred dollars, so t h a t there is now about $400 remaining, not expended or contracted for. This does not consider the cost of the rubble stone, which the University may be required to take.