Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1908 [PAGE 97]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1907]

PKOOEEDINGS OF THE BOAED OF rRUSTEES.

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English the shops in Chicago* where the copper cheneau work is being prepared and found that they were following exactly my models and drawings and the work gives every promise of being perfectly satisfactory. There are a few points, however, to which I wish to call your attention. English Brothers have built into the inner face of the brick walls, wooden laths, at intervals of three or four feet in height, these laths being continuous for long distances horizontally. These are to be used to afford nailings for the furring strips. In my previous report I called your attention to this as being a custom of which I did not approve. In the east the walls are bored and blocked with wood to afford nailings instead of being cut off horizontally in the manner I have just described in your walls. The margin of strength is ample, but it is construction of which I cannot approve. On the other hand, Mr. English, Mr. White, and Mr. Bullard all have told me that this is the common practice in the west and is considered all right. If it is satisfactory to you of course I have no objection, but it would not be satisfactory to me in the east. I should be glad to have your definite instructions as to whether I shall observe the local practice in this respect or insist upon it being carried out in the eastern manner. Also, I notice that English Brothers have used floor timbers which are considerably under the sizes specified. I called for 2x12 timbers and under that specification I should expect to get sawn lumber, instead of which the timbers are all dressed to a size about 1% to 1% inches thick and 11% inches deep. As far as I can ascertain the lumber as supplied by English would be fully as expensive as what I had specified and the margin of strength is amply sufficient to give you all the stiffness of floors you require. I consequently merely call your attention to the fact that these are not the full size provided by the specifications though they are what is technically known as 2 inches thick. I should not advise any change in this respect.' The work is in such shape that I can receive no assurance from English Brothers that they can carry out the provisions of their contract as to time. The equipment on the building is not such as would enable them to carry out the work with dispatch. I cannot feel that either English Brothers or Parker, the subcontractor for steel work, are equipped to do this thing promptly. The cause of the whole delay is with the steel contractor. He does business in a small way and had more work on hand last summer than he could attend to with the consequence that he neglected your work,. English Brothers tell me they cannot undertake to get the work completed before August. If the work were taken away from them and entrusted to others who were better equipped to hurry it I believe the building could be pushed to completion so you could have your May festival in it, but this would involve, I am quite sure, a considerable added expenditure. The very fact that English was able to figure so low as he did was due to his not being equipped for large and rapid work. The University is getting the benefit of his low price and will unfortunately have to stand the coresponding delay. The question of damages is of course something that will have to be taken up later and fought out with him and with his sub-contractors. The one consoling fact in the situation is that English Brothers are not slighting the work in either personal attention, nor in material nor in quality of. workmanship. Yours very truly, President E. J. James, University of Illinois. G. H. BLACKALL. December 22, 1906. MY DEAR DR. JAMBS—There is one item in connection with the Auditorium which I want you to think about. The plastering of the domed, ceiling is specified to be entirely on wooden lath. I asked English to give me a price for substituting metal lath in place of this. If at some future time you should decide to havd extensive mural decorations it would be rather a pity to have such expensive work applied to wall plastering over wooden lath. I think this item was talked of when the contract was made but the University at that time did not feel like spending the money. I call your attention to it now so that you will appreciate that you are not to have a metal lathing Yours very truly, President E. J. JamesJ University January 12, 1907. MY DEAR DR. JAMES—I am in receipt of your letter enclosing letter from Dr. Davison, which I return herewith. I have written to Dean White and to English Brothers that I cannot accept the wood strips which they have built into the wall, and that these must be removed, the joints properly filled with cement and the furring nailed to blocks properly inserted in the wall. I quite agree with Dr. Davison and I feel quite convinced that the method Mr. English took, while a local usage, is not sanctioned by good practice anywhere. of Illinois.

C. H. BLACKALL.

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Yours very truly,

C. H. BLACKALL.

President E. J. James, University of lllinais. P R A C T I C E SCHOOL. 13. A r e s o l u t i o n passed b y t h e S t a t e T e a c h e r s ' Association r e q u e s t i n g t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a practice school for t h e training" of h i g h school t e a c h e r s a t the State University. Adopted by t h e Illinois S t a t e T e a c h e r s ' Association, p e c . 28, 1906.

CAROLINE GROTE,

Secretary.