Alteration

In 1891, Benson and Reif worked on an addition to the Salt Lake County Infirmary. Their workmanship on the concrete foundation and brickwork of this hospital building was found by independent inspectors to have been poor. Benson was required to destroy the existing foundation and brickwork and rebuild it.

Experts summoned by local government condemned the work by Benson and Reif on an Infirmary Building. The Salt Lake Herald reported in 09/1891: “Gentlemen—Your building committee for the infirmary building beg leave to report on the claim of the contractor referred to us, as follows: That the foundation of said building is nearly finished, the joists of the first floor put in place and the brick wall on the east side and the ends of said building begun; that we have appointed J.C. Dowling, inspector of works and in company with him and Mr. J.H. Bowman as expert, have made a careful examination of the material used and work thus far performed in the erection of said building, and find as follows. That in the concrete work Utah, instead of Portland, cement has been used, and that evidently in small quantities as the concrete is still soft and has no appearance of solidifying. To determine this more fully we had the soil removed in several places along the walls so as to expose the concrete, and after careful examination have arrived at the conclusion that the foundation is entirely insufficient to support the weight of the building. This is further shown by the fact that the wall at both the southeast and northeast corners of the building is cracking. At the northeast corner of the building the rockwork projects over the concrete. The brickwork indicates poor workmanship, and many of the brick [sic] in the wall and upon the ground are of inferior quality. In our judgement the contract for the erection of the building has not been reasonably complied with, and that the architect has been derelict in allowing such work to go one without reporting to the committee of the court. In accordance with the views of the inspector and expert, we recommend as follows: That the contractor be required to take down the entire part so far constructed, and clear away the debris and commence anew the erection of said building, and proceed until the same shall have been earned in compliance with said contract. Respectfully submit, John Butter, G.W. Bartch, Committee.”

This 1891 newspaper report continued: “Reports were also received from J.C. Dowlin, inspector, and J.H. Bowman, expert. They both condemned the workmanship as well as material used. Mr. D.P. Benson, the contract, appeared in his own behalf and stated that while the cement used was not according to the specifications, it had been put down by the order of the architect. As a workman, he condemned the whole job in terms as strong as the committee used, and signified his willingness to take down the foundation and rebuild it to the specification. A. Reif, the architect, was summoned to appear before the court. He admitted that the work was imperfect and not according to the specifications. The reports of the committee and of J.C. Dowlin and J.H. Bowman were unanimously adopted.” (See “The Infirmary Building,” Salt Lake Herald, 09/16/1891, p. 6.)

The Salt Lake City Tribune published a notice on 09/16/1891 saying: "An order from D.P. Benson to pay all money due for construction of addition to the County Infirmary through his bondsmen, was ordered filed. The Court adjourned for one week." (See "Order Received," Salt Lake Tribune, 09/16/1891, p. 11.)

PCAD id: 25705