on one side and the channel fastened to the other. Where attempts have been made to secure these screws firmly the gypsum panels themselves are actually depressed and indented. Not only that, the attachment of the metal member to the gypsum is not tight. Light can be seen from one side of the partition to the other through this jmeture. Our final comments would be that the quality of workmanship is far short of what we feel should normally be expected from this type of installation. Certainly faz short of what could have been provided had we been successful as sub-contractor. With all of these tolermees allowed by the inspector for this job, the work still lags far behind the period which was established as a completion date. We were cognizant of the time element involved. We had made full provisions to meet the target date at the time our quotations were made to the general contractors. I am sure that an investigation on your part would reveal that the work is far short of completion, even at this writing. We sincerely hope that you will find the time to make a thorough investigation of these facts as we have stated them, and again offer our services for whatever value they may be, in supplementing the information contained in these two letters, Sincerely yours, HINGES COMPANY, INC. OF KANSAS CITY R. J. Henges Exhibit 4--Memorandum from E. W. Kunze, Design and Construction Division, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, to Chief, Design and Construction Division, June 22, 1959 SUBJECT: Summary of telephone conversation with Mr. Ron Henges Mr. Henges seemed of opinion that the specifications were not being investigated. He brought up four prime points. 1. Possibility of electrolytic action where alumimm studs meets 2. The steel is not galvanized. 3. The door frames are not the same width as the partitions. 4. Mr. Benges has been informed that it is not good practice to Mr. Kunze's reply to the points are: 1. The aluminum has been alodized, which would greatly reduce any Since the partitions are in airconditioned quarters, there should not 2. Although steel is not galvanized, it has a rust resisting prime coat containing zinc chromate which would also prevent electrolytic action. 3. I told Mr. Henges I considered the wider frames furnished by 4. Regarding aluminum not being acceptable next to sheet rock. (Note--#2 - It may be necessary to obtain a deduction from the contractor Exhibit 5--Letter from Robert E. Bevan, Chief, Construction Branch, Public Buildings Service, General Services Administration, to Hercules Construction Co., June 25, 1959 We have been advised that the steel work on the subject project was not galvanized. It is requested that you furnish us with the credit proposal Exhibit 6--Letter from J. H. Benoist Jr., vice president, Hercules HERCULES CONSTRUCTION CO. Reference is made to your letter dated June 25, 1959 requesting a credit for the omission of the Galvanizing Process on the steel for the movable partitions on the subject job. We are enclosing copies of letters from our subcontractor, The Hamilton Co., for these partitions and from the supplier of these steel members. We believe these letters are selfexplanatory and will serve to answer your inquiry. With regard to your letter of August 7, 1959 concerning discrepancies in the various phases of the work in process, we are proceeding with the correction of these items as rapidly as possible. Exhibit 7--Letter from Vernon L. Murphy, Hamilton Company, Inc., St. NOISE CONTROL PRODUCTS 67 MOVABLE PARTITIONS ESTABLISHED 1921 FLOOR AND WALL COVERINGS HAMILTON COMPANY, INC. 4239 LINDELL BLVD., ST. LOUIS 8. MO. August 12, 1959 Hercules Construction Company 9810 Page Boulevard Overland 32, Missouri Attn: Mr. Hmt Benoist Re: Second Floor Mart Building Dear Mr. Benoist: In compliance with the letter you received from Mr. Robert L. Bevan of the General Services Administration with regard to the galvanizing of the steel that we used for the O'Brien Movable Partitions on the second floor of the Mart Building, I have taken this matter up with the Glen O'Brien Movable Partition Company. They in turn went to some length to obtain a complete detailed report from the Mid-West Metal Products, Inc., who prepare the metal for them as to the application of this protective coating. I am enclosing the letter sent to the Glen O'Brien Movable Partition Company by them, giving them a complete detailed report as to this metal preparation. I am also enclosing a copy for your files. Needless to say, juding from the information in this letter, the preparation of the metal used in these movable partitions is far superior than that requested or than could be obtained from competitive partitions. I believe that this will answer all of the questions regarding this metal preparation. No credit can be allowed for not using the galvanized steel as we went beyond their requirements in the preparation of the steel we used for this installation. Yours very truly, HAMILTON COMPANY, INC. VIM/fa encl. Vernon L. Murphey |