Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, June 26, 1881, Page 9

THE. CHICAGO TRIBUNE: SUNDAY, Pa Suits, immediately after dinner, being in best humor, was approached by fila Suits about the worn out Suits of the six little Suits, and was told each of the young Suits needed two new Suits, a play or every day Suit for ieention, and a Dress Suit, in fact, all the Suits boys were laughed at last Sabbath in Sunday School on account of their Sunday Suits being such shabby Suits. So Pa Suits acknowl: edged having read in last Sunday’s Tribune of the Creat Suit Sale of, Suits by the Suit firm of Harvey Bros., 84 and 8&6 State-st. Then Ma Suits told why Uncle John Suits had named their youngest poy Harvey Suits: Because they had always bought their Suits, and got. such good Suits, for the last twenty-eight years (the truth) from the Harveys, Father and Sons. Why, John Suits is a lawyer, and is now wearing a Suit that he siarted alaw Suit in fifteen years ago, and he has been wearing the one Suit, and living off the other Suit ever since, and he thinks Harvey’s Suit will outlast the lawsuit (beat thatif youcan). So Pa Suits, Ma Suits, and the six little Suits, with their old Suits, went down to the Great Suit Sale of Suits to get suitably suited in Suits. There they saw and bought each Suits two Suits which fitted and suited each Suits, and even suited the packeebouk of Pa Suits, which was most essential to suit. They bought Baby Suits, 25 years old, a Skirt Suit, for $1.96, and saw better Sutts for more money, and at everything they looked the price seemed to suit. So well did it suit that Pa Suits bought himself a Scotch Cassimere Suit for a business Suit, also a Dress Suit, which made fourteen Suits in all for the Suitses. Pa Suits asked Mir. Harvey, of Suit fame, why his good Suits were not betier known? “‘Because,” replied he, ‘‘ many think us high on Suits, but they are daily acknowledging that our Suits are better wearing Suits, more stylish Suits, and cheaper Suits than any Suits sold by other Suit Houses.” ‘‘Why,’”’ said Harvey, ‘‘the last two weeks we have sold nearly fourteen hundred Suits, and will continue to suit everybody who comes in old Suits for new Suits during the coming week.” So now Pa Suits and Ma Suits, when asked about their Children’s Suits, say, for good Suits, or to get suitably fitted or suited, go to 84 and 86 State-st., and buy nothing but ** Harvey’s Suits,” “Blarvey’s Suits,’’. “Warvey’s Suits,” How many Suits are there in the above? Count them. ““Harvey’s Suits,” i : | | i i “Harvey’s Eulis,” “Warvey’s Sulis,”’ “‘Harvey’s Suits,” . “Harvey’s Suits,”’ ““Harvey’s Suits.’ 5 that for gus fixtures, that f¢ ‘nult doors, or ‘i 2 job. [ regard it asa mere bagatetie. Inthe | these a UNDERGROUND. ature of eur soll, and ourfreedom from grades, | daily, thingine out aie seme be eound COUNTY CONTRACTS. Another Refutation of the Charges of Corruption. a Some of the Evils Resulting from Ac- cepting the Lowest Bidders. & Crushing Rejoinder to A:] the Vapor- ings of the * Times.” Commissioner Wood's Reply to the Inuen- does of Fraud, To the Editor of The Chicago Tribune, Carcago, June 25.—Being no doubt one of the persons referred to in the article in the Times of last Sunday as a “representative element” of the Board, I chanced to favor myself with its perusal on the duy it was published. ~ The first noticeable reature it contains is the pretended observations of a“prominent citi- zen,” therein represented a3 saying among other things ** that the present ring in the Board ts the most dangerous that bas ever cursed Cook Coun- tr" thet the Times’ exposé of Sunday Inst has awakened the taxpayers tothe true condition of affairs”; “that he fs positive ia tho belief that Mr. Wood has it not in nis power to make & satisfactory explanauon to the pubtic.” Iwould remind this “prominent citizen” as well as the Timss that when that portion of this so-called “ring” waose term of office will ex- pire the first Monday of December next came into the Bourd they found the County Treasury empty; the credit of the county, both financial- ly and morally, destroyed~its orders, forced upon itsemployés and contractors, being sold atadiscountot 15 percent: its hospitals Bity, delapidated, and disorganized, and a system of contracting for supplies to the various institu- tions, so loose that all reputable merchants and dealers refused to send in propositions to ill our requisitions. During the existence of this So-culled ring, so dangerous in the imagination of “A Promiment Citizen,” the credit of the county has been restored and its treasury re- plenisued. Its bonds have appeared upon the market at a rate of interest lower than bad been. known in all its past bistory; its floating debt and outstanding orders have been paid; the vast expenditure ia cumpleting and furnishing the Court-House, even ou the magnificent scale in- augurated under a former Admintstration, bas been amply provided for; and the whole sys- tem of public churities bas been reorganized and rendered more efficient, while the expenses of their maintenance has been lurgely reduced. If Cook County surviv J escapes from the dangers thus fussed “ tnrouxt under the administracon of such a “ being “ she muy, in fact, return to a condition which a prominent eltizen'may truly lament. “If this so-culled prominent citizen would give a little candid attention to the utlatrs of Cook County, ne would discover that their “ true con- dition? can py no means be found in, the columns of the Limes or in uny pretended * ex- posé”. thercin coutained. “And. a3 to my bein able to explain: | So far_as [ have notice: the articles heretofore published in the Times {and I confess I have not bad time to peruse them all) they have contained, in addition to all manner of abuse and cenounciation, statements showing instances in whic contracts bave been Tet to other than the lowest vidder, followed by charges that the ditference between the lowest. vid and that which was accepted was divided between tho contractor and the Comuussfoners, by whose votes the contract was awarded, and in repre: senting that any action of the Bourd ina mat- ter involving the payment of money ead re- quiring the exercise of judgment . WAS CRIMINALLY CORRUPT, if notin secordance with the opinion or judz- ment of the ‘Times. Now, uny citizen, whether “prominent” or otherwise, ougnt to know that contracts may be, nna are very often, wisely and properly awarded to the bishest bidder; that.even though such letting were wisely made. that would not constitute sufficient evidence on which to cbarze the Loard with corruption; and, finally, that there are frequently cases ‘where the letting of a contract to the lowest bidder would be 1 most unwise proceeding. * For example.—and right here Iam’ going ta admit that-the Board with which T have acted have made some mistakes,—we fet tho contract for the cut-stone work of the rotunda. first, to MeNeil & Son, because they were the lowest bidders.” McNeil © Son failed and utterly re- fused to perform their contract, thus not cnly Geiaying the work for some months, but leading us into difficulty with another contractor. Again, we let the contract afterwards to Edwin Walker for the same work, fur the reason that he was the lowest bidder, and oifered to do the work at the lowest price, und he failed to per- form his contract avcording to its terms, delay- ing usin wetting the building inelosed until it was too Inte to get it ready for oecupaney by stot Muy last, as was intended. We ulso ded the contract to the Lemont Stone Com- pany for the sidewalk and flagging in front of ihe building because they were the lowest bid- ders, und we result shows clearly that this was amistuke. Other mistakes have no doubt been , but none have resulted more disastrously than those committed in letting contracts to the lowest. bidders, and if we had always done so none would have occurred as frequenuly. The char ich Lam asked to explain are of the most Uagrant crimes. committed by us in dividing plunder that has been stolen from the public, Such crimes, if committed, muy be proven. Innocence of them cannot be proven; nor can explanations be expected to_ satisfy those who ure so unjust as fo assume their ex- istence without proof. But am and shall be rendy to state what I know of facts and circum- stunces as to any matter in which I have taken a part. PLUMBING AND GAS-FITTING. Comment bas been made in the Times article upon the contnict for plumbing; aud Lum spoken of ashavimg moved the awarding of this con- tract. Scheuster & Lumparter wee deemed the lowest responsible and reliable bidders for this work, and oud rensons were urged for prefer- ring them over the two lower bidders. They (Scheuster & Lampurter) were strangers to me. 1 never saw them to know them until long after their contract was made. 1 becnine satistied by reliable information that thoy were men of gout standing, und that they posscased the means that would enable thei to fulall their contract. fT made the motion to award tho contract to them, as [think was the case, I did it in pursuance of my own best judg- ment and that of a ioajority of the Board. I Know that they had no know!edse or informa- tion beforenand of what I intended todo, The extra work which they have doue, and which was not provided for in their contract, has been ordered upon te recommendation of the archi- teet una whe superintendent of the work, and I bave no doubt it was necessary and proper. When such extra work Involved the payment of any material amount, it bas been imated and agreed upon verore it was or I think i¢ would be found on strict examination that every change made or addi- tion directed in eituer the plumbing or gas- fittmg was required in order to perfect the work and make it whut it should be. A very strange ide seems to exist In refer: ence to‘changes and additions, called “extras,” dered, not provided for ina contract. There may be Dnitdings, perhaps, completed throughout with- outany ehunges whatever. Sur (be rule is that many WiH necessarily occur in the erection of any builling. To characterize such extras as steals, und couclude, without evidence, that those authoriziug them or claiming piy for them do so corruptly is not only unrensonable but malicious. [twill be found on examination, 1 think, that the total amount paid out or al- jowed for extras in the erection ot the Court- House (if we exclude the alterations in the stone by substituting granit and the extra for thicker stone. all of which were directed before any of the present Board cume forward, and for which none of them are responsible, and in the brickwork) will tall far short of the average amount se allowed and paid in the construcnon of buildings of a similar character, [aim satistied that nd improper influences have operated to produce changes since I hive been nmember of the Board. How it was before L bave never nad the time er inclinution to de~ termine. MUGUES AS SUPERINTENDENT. On account of the nature of the work it was thougbt best toapvuint some practical plumber to superintend the piumbmg and gasiitung; 2 kind of swork so easily slighted and Kept trom view it was not thought wise to entrust to the discre~ tion of any- contractor alone. Accordingly Mr, Hughes was uppuinted. He was not, however, sugyested or recommended by ine, a3 bas been ebarged. Itistrue that 1 bad known him for many years a8 a pructical plumber, and be~ lieved “he would perforin the dutics required faithfully and bonestly. I believe he bas done So, with zreat advantuge to the county. [think it was Mr. Burling, or Mr. Spotford, who moved his appointment. aud my recollection is that there wis no oppesition to the, motion, as no other nomination was inade, Neither was tho motion mide as the result of ony vious con- ference or understanding. The Zimes says be bas been 2 sort of * pol I striker” for me, T desire to say bere, that I have not. nor have ever bad. any. political aspirntions, and have not, nor hive Lever bad, nor do ever intand to have, apy use for “political strike Thave a tivice placed in nomination for x compara- tively unimportant town ollice, and once for the allice I now bold. In neither case it been a position of my own secking, and when normi- nated I have done simply whit every other bon- orable candidate is under obifzation to do. As to the furure, no one need suppose or imagine, that so fur as relates 10 my prospcets for oftice, 1 hare any sort of concern. T do not betieve that there is that Schuster & Lumpurtner bave pald, or of- fered ton foreman, oF any one else, any per- centage of their means for “bush money,’ or for any other improper purpose. They say that es made are all false, and I haye every fensoa 10 believe them. Butif it is otherwize, ny evidence if. they bave In any way swindled ‘he county, or if there have been avy other corrupt practices on the part of cositractors, or others connected with the county atfairs, (um as willing and anx~ fous as anyone to MAVE THEM BROUGHT TO LIGHT. 1 know of tone, and when I tind these charges made aixl repedted tn vefereuce to uy own ucts, all of which T know to be false, and, 1 thints, iclously false,—I do not hesitate to say that it is iny tira belicf that not one of the many sean- dulous charges made against any of the present Board bas any: founduuon in fact, The vague and incuberent story related avout the extra temporury closets, and ‘about Hani ana Hughes fu taut connection, 1 Know notuing about. ‘There-were temporary #2s-burners and guspipe for the same, ordered by the Board ata detintt price, estimuted and agreed upon. They were found to be necessary. in order ta expedite the work ta the efitire vuliding, which, without them, would bave:been greatly delayed. ‘The Fines artide spenks of members of tho preseut Hoard “smothering” investigation. Not one of Urem bas apposed ny proper investiga- tion. Wheti the. motion was made to appoint a commttee I pointed out; the absurdity of the Roard:- appoipting, x committee to Investigate charges mado ayainst thomselves, and when I fonnd that euch committee was ordered. I moved to request the Citizen’s Assoviution to ppoint three of their members to act with them, The impropriety of Commissioners acting on that committee was passed over. ‘The evidence has been demanded, and evidence only is want- ‘This is not the fault of uny of tho mem- st that they know of no evidence thitt will substantiate any of the charges that have been made. ‘They demand that nay evideacy in existence be drought for- ward, They will submit to examinanon under oath before any committee or elsewhere on re- uest. But thoir evidence is not wanted. BREAD, JULK, AXD MEAT. ‘These contracts for the year 1 were let.to the same parties “bo bad them In The bids for euch were all received at the sume time and referred to tho Comm: on Publie Service, and on cousidering theM it was found that no agreement could be arrived at, und the Cor- mittee reported them back to the Board without recommendadon. it requires ten votes to let such a contract, and when the vote came to be taken no yne of the bidders received more than a bure majority. I made a motion that all the contracts be let to the lowest bidder in exch cuse, but it fulled to receive the requisit nua- bor of votes, und no decision was arrived at then or ut the next meeting. Commissioner O'Neill [think made a similar motion xt xaother time, which failed, but which recvived my sup- portas wellas tat of a majority, but not a suiliclent number to carry it. I think the matter was pending for threo or four weeks. Wright, Dutfy Gros. und Bipper had giver entire satisfaction in furnishing these nrticl during the preceding year, and it was forcibly inslsted that they should again have tho con- tracts in preference to others, aguinst ench of whom specitie objections were urged, It be- came necessary to make some decision, and I auneunced that in such a cise I would vote eventually with the iajority unless I ascertained that the majority was ob- talued by some tproper means. ‘Tats I tinally did, and othors, { tink Mr. Stewart, Purtngton, and Senne, xeted In the same way. So that tinally tho contracts were let—the meut contract to Kipper. the brend to Daily Bros., and the milk contract to Wright. And | bad every ren- gon to believe that ench member acted la good Tutth, ns be thought the interest of the public required. PRINTING: AXD OFFICE, FURNITURE, The contract for printing was let to Mr. Jones, who bad the contract for 18SJ, on the recom- mendation of the Committee to whom his bid wus referred, he being the only bidder, it is true, but bis bid being, ag Tam informed, ‘about the sume as it was tur the preceding year. I have hourd of no comptaint of our action in this re- spect. Pais were received for furnishing tho Court- House from several parties.und tho Committee to whom they were referred recommended that the contract be awarded to Mr. Sweuey, us the lowest bidder. Several of the Committee and a innjority of the Bourd afterward became satis: fied that such action would be un wise, and hence all bids were rejected and ‘uew bids advertised for and reecived. ‘These were referred again to the proper com- mittee, who reported thereon, recommending that tho firm of Andrews & Co. receive the con- tract, * they being the lowest responsible bid- ders," and further recommending that the bid of A. M, Osgood be rejected, it being irregular in not beng accompanied ‘with the required pond, and oa account of his not being enguged in thé business of muking furniture, or a prac- tical manufacturer thereof. Osgood's bid was lower than Andrews & Co.'s, a3 was aiso that of Sweeney. Other reasons for the uction of the Board in reference to the furniture contract were urged, reasons which any business mun would indorse as sutiicient. ‘The contract was awarded by a vote of thirteen members. % GAS FIXTURES. ‘The bids received for gas fixtures were for furnisaing according to samples respectively produced by the bidders. The Committee cun- sidered the bid of Bassett & Co. the lowest, in view of the quality of the fixtures they proposed to furnish. 1 had’entire confidence in the Com- mittee, and, with the requisit majority, indorsed their conclusion. In letting a contract such as that for Vuntt fittings, each bidder made his bid for a different kind of article to be furnished, tion, therefore, was which kind should cted at the price’ proposed. In such a iteunnot be said that we could have ob- ed the same article selected at ao fower price. The comparative value of the work of- fered and the quality of the work, us well as the prices therefor respectively, are to be taken into account. FIRE-PROOFING AND MOLLOW TILE. Some comments pave been made in reference tothe quality of the tire-prooting. {have bad the impression that this work was well and thor- oughly done. ‘My ‘attention was at one time culled to the mode of keying the tiling placed between the Joists, it being keyed witb. brick. But un exam- ination sntistied me that there was no valid ob- jection to the work 3 performed. f think it 1s considered us well and thoroughly done. Compinint bus been made that by some chanze directed by the architect the walls of the bitild- ingyinve not been properly furred so as to pi veiN duinpness. Tam satised tht the danger of damage from this cause hus been grossly ¢: aggerated. But whether the architect bus un- ly or improperly permitted a change in this or any other respect [ cannot say. “He must stand upon his own merits. Tho Roard nas largely relied on his skill and judgment. tis not unlikely that he may” have made some mistakes, but that he has willfully nbused the trust confided to him [ have had’ no reason to believe. Mr. Exan was the appointee of a former Bourd. but, so far as my own-obgervauon can £0, he bas appeared to ine in ull his acts only anxious to perfect and push forward the work he bad in charge, and to promote the Interest of the county. PAINTING AND GLAZING. Well, the fact is, “Tom Nelson.” as he is called, was the lowest bidder. I bad understood that be had tor some time been a sortot hanger- on of the former Gourd. [had got tho impres- sion that if he got the contract be would beat the county by slightng bis work in some way. I therefore voted against bim, and advocated readvertising for bids. Twas ulso in favor of ing tho frescoing, us had been done in some Governinent bindings, believing. that the plas- tering and stuces work would he sufficiently oraamental. Mr. Burling, I-remember, favored such omission, and guve as one reason the Hk lihood of its bem” dam: or defaced from moistire,—u rest of which there bas alread been some complaint. But { must say that Mr. Nelson bas ngzrecably disappointed me. So fur as Lean ascertain, he hus done his work well and faithfully, una, with my present opinion of him, L should have voted in favor of his con- tracts. ‘One statement reiterated in the Times is that the Board has given to Sexton the material which he took ont of, the dome foundation, “worth at lenst $1,000," Now [have made in- quiry, and fad that the actual value of that miateria! was not to exceed $2.50. Lhave also examined the contract with Sex- ton, and tind thut by its terms the stone to be taken out by him was to be his property. His bid, as well as that by othors, wis upon that basis. Wiuuram IL Woop. FROM ARCHITECT EGA P.S.—The following letter received by: me since ny former statement muy be of interest to the public, and.will speak fur itself_as to the setual cost of the cut-stone work of the Court ou! ve CHICAGO, June 23.—Iillam If. Wood, Dean sin: Your very clear statement of atfairs in relation to the new Court-House building in this morning's ‘rinuse induces me to furnish you with au accurate iccount of the exjendi- Tures upon the cut-stone work, inasmuch as many conilicting und erroncous ‘idens as to the. cost of this work have been mude public during the recent agitation of Court-House matters, and you may be called on tor further expiann- tion. The amounts paid and accruing to MeNell Son ure as tolluws: On general contract... .....-. 2-0. -+-.$487,920.00 Amount alowed by arbitration for use of thick stone July 8, 1805..:......... 28,741.40 Paid for bond-stones in piers of three principal stories by order of past County Boards, ~» 18,331.00 Amount allowed by County Board in full settiement of all claims of con- tractors: ere 45,000.00 ‘Total cost of limestone-work com- plete. - $580,192.00 ‘The tot estone in the build- ing. at pr teet, very nearly. 21 the limestone- Work costs in the building §1.89 per eubie foot,—a rate per foot fully 20 per ecnt lower than we have any reeord for similar work efthor in publi¢ or private buildings. Practical men who read these tigures will be somewhut surprised ut the smuilrate per cubie foot, but the tlgures can be verificd, and cer- tainly show nu margin for the stupendous steals wlin whieh aii parties are uccased. may itiso reeall to your mina the tact that the bids 6n the original wo: $33 ringed from $535,000 up to $910,000, or thereabout, and showed an ave erage mite per cubic fout of about $2.75. ‘The cost of the work hus been repextediy quoted at amounts varying from $30,000 to $60. 000 over and ubove the actual fzures bere wiv Hence this statement, which you can use ac cording to your best judgment. Very respect- fully, J. J. EGAN. What Gen. Smith Thinks of the Chicago Underground Railway. This City Well Adapted for the Construction of Such a Road. A. Reporter’s Interesting Experience in Hunting Up Gen. Smith. Special Correspondence of The Chicago Tridune. New Youk, June2.—Gen. William Sooy Smith, an old Chicagoan, who is now in New York en- gaged In constructing the great tunnel under the Hudson River, had.a brief chat with your correspondent yesterday with regard to the un- derground railway in Chicago, which a company of local cupitahsts propose to build from the South Side to Evanston, The writer, after making a trip to the wilds of Hoboken, diving about 100 feet into the bowels of the earth, taking a run of over 590 feet under the Hudson, and thence over the river to New York, tinally found the General at his residence on Enst Twenty-second street. He was prepar- ing for dinner, but readily acceded to THe Trin use’s demand for information, stating at the same time that he was profoundly interested in all public works aifecting Chicago. Your correspondent had already met Mr. Charles Sooy Stith, the Generui’s son, who said that he and his father were made acquainted with the Chicago project of un underground railroad by a paragraph in Tue TriguNe some thme ago, and afterwards more fully by a letter from Mr. E. C.Cole, of Chicago. Gen. Smith was then in Europe, A rough estimate of the cost of n tunnel such as proposed wus sent on to” Mr. Cole, the sum named being $200,00. Geu. Smith, in reply to the writer's questions, said: “J THINK WELL OF THE PROJECT. Chicago is famous for its business activity, its marvelous enterprise, und its bold, live way of doing thinzs generally, but it’s away behind the age us to rapid transit. The possible building of a railroad tunnel underground for the con- ctty | Bagt 0 venience of the sub- ject of vast importance the people, and Tam glad that Tne TrrBcse is interesting itself in the matter. ‘The rullways running into the city should have some entry other than through and neross streets at the samme level, and I believe that the cost of providing such an entry would be more thin compensated by the improvement in the value of the proverty all along the line.” “Would you prefer the narrow gauge rtainiy not. ir is very desirable for the comfort of the passengers, the prosperity of the company, and the zeneral’ good, unat the stand~ ard gauge be adopted, in view of future connec- tions which it may be desirable to make with lines outside the ei What do you know of this company which Droposes to build tne subway?” Nothing ut all, except that my son, who is my business partner, bus been In communica~ tion with Mr. B.C. Cole, who, I suppose, repre- seuts the Company. But I am suro that any such project will find ready financial support, because I believe {t will prove a very remyner- ative investinent. rther, J think that any compuny of gentiemen desirous of giving our city so great n boon as rapid, easy transic will receive trom the local authorities every en- couragement.. You must remember that the population of Chivago is incrensing faust, and that the residences of our citizens are being driven from tho centre far out of town. Now, there must be some means of transit devizod, either above ground or under ground, so that the ever-increusing population wnay be carried to and from business. ‘bat such rapid transit canbe bad by an underground raitway [am certain. This would remedy-the evil of aver- crowding at once at smali enst and without de- precimtion: of — properiy. Uf — course, iu granting any privileges to a new railway company: the city ought to exact conditions by whieb tae traveling public may bo rotceted. ‘There must be thorough cleanliness, jigbting, and ventilation of the subway, the providing of easy access. ind frequent stutions along the roud.—say at every four or five blocks. ‘Chen the road should be opérated under regula~ tions which would make the risk of accident a3 smuutl as possible.” Is there ANY SPECIAL DIFFICULTY. in the way of bulldtng such a tunnel ia Chi- cago?” “On the contrary, it is comparatively an easy. 2 we have everything in our favor for buliding a strong, durable structure at a moderate ex- and without any serious difticulty in the 1 cun see no possible obstruction. As to the river, this is but u slight atfair. [t is really no obstacle, and I speak in the light.of -my ex- perience under the Hudson river.” * Where would you locate the central station?" “Well. my norton is, that the city should grant the basement of the square now occupiea by the City-Hati and Court-House. This would be an admirable location for a central station of the proposed underground railroad. Of course, am- ple station accomntodation must be provided, or the project becomes useless so far as regards the public welfare.” : “Would there be any difficulty as to the en- fines? You sce, one part of the rod would be underground and the other above.” “None whatever. Engines to do tho service properly both above and underground could be construeted. These nzines would consume their own smoke, and there need be no vitiation of the air. ‘The rnilway might be operated with tin endless chain. ‘This is perfectly practical, but {do not express any preference tor the endless chainsystem. You can rest assured that the road may be worked in a most unobjectionnple munner with engines, if properly constructed and handled.” Would you give some particulars of the cost? “In advance of any positive knowledge of the route and the exact detulls of the plan pro- posed, no one can give even xpproximate fig- ures, "You see, L do not wish to mislead by specifying the cost without more exact dutu. I think, however, that my: son's estimate of $200,- 000 would cover al! possible contingencies for a tunnel under the river. ‘The cheapest method ‘of construction, in my present Judgment, would be a road built, suy, ten feet below the surface and then covered ‘by raising the grade of the Streets under which it is built, making use of the materisls exervated to fill the street and the Approuches to the eross streets. The next mo: expensive method fs to construct the unde: ground railway on the open-cut pln, the cut to be of suilicient depth to admit tho urching of the iiway track beneath the grade of the street. THE MOST EXPENSIVE OF ALL METHODS would be that partly pursued in the construe- tion of the Loudon Underground ftailway, tbat of buildiag entirely under the surface.” “The new company think of utiling the La Salle street tunnel for their pur can get it. Row do you reward this ider “think the La Salle street tunoel had better be left alone and an independent one built. The alterations necessary, if the La Salle street tun- Lisused ia conneetion with the proposed ral uid be quite expensiv h tunnels sts hington and La Salle aro really needed, und the addition of a new tunnel would simply be another menns of aecommodanon for a xrent city whose population is rapidly growing. A. city like Chicago should snuitiply its facilities for travel rather than diminish them. As to the length of time necessary for the construction uf the proposed tunnel, this would depend upon the supply of men and money provided for. the work and the attitude of the local authorities towards the undertaking. There certainly would be no serious puysicnl difficulties. [speak with eontidence upon tho subject, because I pave given years of patient thought to the work of building tunnels through the ground and unde z and my daily experience a3_ chict engineer ,of- the iiudson Kiver — tunnel certainly Warrants me tn saying that Chicago, in my opinion, may secure to herself the advan- tages and conveniences of an underground rnil- road through the busiest purt of tne city, una under the river, with comparatively Httie' cost or trouble.” ~ How do you progress with the Hudson River work, General?” “Wirst rate. We are now making from three to five feet a day xvod solid work. fa about 1. fortnight we shail commence work from the New York side, with Engineer Lovejoy in churge, und, with the improvements’ already adopted, we shill soon be maicing about ive feet a das on cach side of the river.” Gen. Sinith (s spoken of here us 2 capable and conscientious engineer. He has been engaged on several fmportant engineering works. fle butt and helped to build tive bridges ucross the Mississippi Itiver, one wcross the Savannah River, and one across the Mobile River; be aiso putin protective masonry entirely surrounding the Waugoshance lighthouse, ‘This latter work required the sinking of # great pneumatic exis- con, the first ever sunk. Since the General bus been in charge of the Hudson River tuunel the work bus sune steadity on, and the dillic tics us thoy urise are inct with skill and pluck. ‘The men ciabloyed, buth miners and musons, havo the utmost canfldence In the General, and the result ty that the great work is being pushed on rupiilly, Either Gen. Smith, bis son Charles, C.G. Lovejoy tg on hand’ dally. and give e superintendence to every detail. Uy tho way, your correspondent’s scarcn for Gen. Smith is AN INTERESTING ITEM. ‘The “ works" are close by the Hoboken Ferry landing. ‘fo reach the oltice you travel through a seemingly endless coal depot, take boat across adirty yellow creek, and atter climbing a num- ver of steps, if vou Dave escaped with your life from the perils of sereaming locomotives and quling lumps of coal, you reach a plataly-bullt, comfortably-arrunged suite of apartments. At which ure a part of the vast work before hin. When your correspondent arrived, however, Gen, Simith was under the river escorting two Bities Lhrouty the: tunnel. Assistunt-Engineers Sooysmnith anc OVEJO} io Jeneral’s ubsence velow. ey Pernpy aie: Generar Te oNt yeu kp down?” sald Loveloy. bovelty of interviewing a1: water decided the question. There was a ped smile on tho faces of the engineers as they us- sistee me to doff iny black cout, silk bat, and summer shoes, and don a sult of' muddy overalls and a pair of seven-leasuc gum boots, finishing off with shocking bad slouch on my heud. Lt this attire 1 snambled to the airlock, the gate yawned, and Iwas told to get in. Hesitating for & moment to take whut wus literally 2 leap la the dark, Sooysmith cried out, “There's 20 Ganzer; two lidies just went down. That settled it, though TI did. not kaow tlil afterwards that the Indies went down. another way. L went ia, and the crowd culled vut, * Good-by: we'll tuke care of your clothes."BTho gate closed with a bung, and’ when I tell you, that once closed, that 25,000 pounds of com? pressed air fastens it securely, you wilt under piand waar. aut box. iwassin. The cage was stifling, und the, pressui the Perain AWE - Pressure of the alron “Hold your nostril and blow hard,” said- Lovejoy, who was sitting opposit, Tolaug & Plece ‘of lighted candle -in one hand as be manipulated the stop-valve with the other. All power of blowing was gone. ‘The terrible pain in the ears increased, streams of perspiration poured down my face, tiny eyes grew dull, wz vick uvpeared to part in the middle, and my lips refused to move. “Will yuu get out?" sald Lovejoy, as grinned, but kindly reduced the trepure. f° Trough ute” irusped your vorrespondent, No, “e erview Gen. Si + ue pyc pier mith; proceeed with wvejoy grinned again, touched the valve, pinched his noses and Dlawed Terocioushy. All at once he announced that the wir was equalized, and that we could go down! A gute on the oppasit side of the cao tew opeu us if by magic, nod the entrance to the pit lay before me. A descent of fifty feet, by meunsof a rope= ladder, landed me, wet and'wilted, on the plat form in the working chamber’ (10 degrees Fabrenneit. ‘Then we splashed throuwh 500 feet of tunuel, out under the Hudson, the passages only dimly illumined “by an electrie burner at each end, Yet [ bad penetrated into. this modern inferng, only to tind that Gen. Smith pad gone up ® trough the airlock leading nto the great si te jowever, * yt ve interview. eee ae MY HEART AND 1. Gc For lah cen Tribune. nee we Inughed and danced toget ‘My light benre and [. meethes ‘Thrown sun und sun-denying weather, While tho hours ted by. * 3 fond, and sweet, and winning; Love seemed so true in the beginnings We were so foolish—atter sluning, ~~ My fuolish heart and L ‘There are graves, and sens of sorrow, ‘Twixt my heurt and [. We bave learned to drend the morrow, And the bours that ty. 3 Bly feet ure growing tired and weary; The way ecems chill, and dusk, and dreary; Ne'er uuin can tine pags cheery 2 ‘Twixt my beurt and L We are simply of the ving, = ils Jone heart and f, lolding nothing wortn the giving, And the hours dmg by. Lite hus lost its golden setting, eaves us only vain regretting, ho power of puin-forgetti For my heart and L baie warm pursuing, 3 Believe my beartt and [: . Oftest yields to coulest wooing, While time thes swiftly by. some day In fragrunt weather, nay lie in peace togethor, , ying ica ie sented, heather, ed heartand Lt AVE Hunuicase HALE, June) isan. 3 ORAT- a coco h Ctinene Rifleman. j At Carson City, recently. Yung Kee, a Ual, Visited the military rifle practice, Siete Asked to try a shot. ‘Lo ‘the surprise of me mill- tary met he accepted. and essuyed to shot from a knee rest, und also while lying down, He wus told he must shoot off-hand. ‘This be refused to do, but tinully he was allowed to have nls own way, while, coiling himself up on his side, be thrust the burrel of the ritle between his fect and atined for the 200 yard target. ‘Three min- utes elapsed, during which “timé the soldier boys tittered and chuckled at the Chinaman. At inst, when they bexan to think he bad fallen asleep, be pulled the trigzer and made a bull's ye. He continued tiring until he had made as pul aie ‘yes in sper, when, returning e. Title, be remarked. ~ Meli y shootee putty good.” , Soe See ae _————— Bargains in Muliaery. C. A. Couraxt & Com