The Granite War: Why Seattle’s Federal Building Might Not Use Washington Stone
A federal contract for San Francisco's new courthouse has sparked outrage in Seattle. The lowest bidder proposed using granite from the Puget Sound region, but California lobbyists are pushing to force the use of local stone, raising questions about patriotism versus free enterprise.
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The award of the government's contract for the construction of a postoffice and courthouse in San Francisco is awaited with much interest in Seattle, for the lowest bid is based on the use of Washington granite. California interests are bringing to bear every force to force the use of California stone.
It seems that some months ago bids were called for and submitted for the construction of the best government building in San Francisco. No particular kind of granite was specified. The bids were opened April 17, and it was found that W. H. Killea, of Cincinnati, was the lowest bidder, and that he proposed to use Washington granite.
Through the influence of California and Pacific lobbies, the bids were rejected and new bids called for. Thus the second bids were opened May 17, and it was found that Mr. Killea was again the lowest, his bid being for $168,000 and allowing the use of peerless granite from the Indesit quarry at Index, Wash. The next bid was $175,000 on Delano granite.
The lowest bid based on the use of California granite was $176,000. There is no claim made that the best stone is an inferior stone, but it is held by Californians that California stone should be used. The Seattle Chamber of Commerce has taken up the matter, being unable to see why the federal government should accept a lower bid in order that California stone may be used in federal buildings paid for by the United States.
This 1903 dispute over a federal construction contract mirrors modern debates about 'Buy American' laws and local hiring mandates. Just as Seattle merchants argued that patriotic duty shouldn't override economic efficiency, today's cities still grapple with whether to prioritize local labor and materials in public works projects, even when out-of-state competitors offer lower prices.
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