National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-22
LOOKING FOR WORK.

THE CONTRACTORS VISIT THE COM
MISSION TRANsACTION OF GENERAL
BUSINESS ON FOUR-AND-A-HALF
STREET.
Four-and-a-half street, in the vicinity of Co
lumbia building, was alive yesterday. 1t was
more than alive. Heretofore the crowd, which
has loitered about the charmed precinct, was
composed of the most part Of unpaid and dis
charged employees, who were anxious for
money or work. but yesterday IL was composed
of different and more potent and persistent
class.
On Monday each of the contractors received
written notice 20 suspend work until further
orders, and as consequence yesterday they
gathered about the rooms of the Commission
in numbers and persistency, hardly equaled by
the grasshoppers in Minnesota. OF course
each one had a Job which could not be sus-
pended without the most dire results to the
community; then the horses which had to be
fed while idle; the Plows, shovels and picks,
which would rust; and, more than all this, the
poor workingmen who, in this their special
season of work, would be thrown out, made up
picture, the coloring of which was calculated
to throw a shadow over harder hearts than are
possessed by the new rulers. But what could
they dot Limited in their expenditure by the
memorable law. which had failed to compre-
bend such results, and looked only to "econ-
omy," which was the ruling cry Of the last ses-
sion, they found it imperatively necessary to
husband their resources, and for the brief term
of their official existence incur no further debts
To pay in cash was out of the question, as
there was no cash to pay for the extensive i'm
proyements, and they quietly decided to see
Just where they stood, pick out the most
needed improvements, proceed with them and
cancel the others. To that end three expert
l., h. al
calculating all they know how, and as soon as
the task is completed a report of their labors
Will be duly submitted. Of course, it is i'm
possible to say what the Commission will con-
slider the most necessary work to be completed,
but It is certain that some of the contractors
will be without work. Who they will be is
conundrum that the Commission will, after
careful guessing, answer themselves.
In addition to the contractors, there were the
usual number of visitors, each of whom had
some special ak to grind. All had interviews
with the Commission or Lieut.. Hoxie, as they
desired. Among those who called was Or.
Puryis, with committee of colored citizens,
who simply paid their respects to and con-
graduated the Commission.
Dr.. Tindall was bufily engaged during the
day in filling out the blank commissions for the
new employees. Each one is signed by the
Commission. 1t was decided positively that for
the present no further clerical force would be
employed. Mr.. W. E. Mott, clerk in the con-
tract branch, rendered his resignation, which
was accepted.
The Commissioners thus far have drawn from
the Treasury out of the 81, 800, 600 sppropri-
ated S473, 13S A. The amount thus far drawn
has been on account of interest and in the fol-
lowing sums S2l9, 374.70, 17,757.22, $685.
913 90, S9l.76.
Mr.. John F. Cook, the newly-appointed col
lector, fled bis bond yesterday. His sureties are
Nicholas Acker, W. J. Murt agh, Jos. B. Bryan
and W. B. Todd. It is not probable that any
material changes will be made in the clerical
force of the Office.
Inthe Comptroller's office the rolls of the fire.
men and police have been completed, and the
payment of the former will be commenced
forthwith. The question as to a reduction of
twenty per cent. in the pay Of the police has
been settled by Comptroller Tayler, who decides
that it is not to be deducted. This opinion is
concurred in by the Commissioners, Comptroller
Baker and by Mr.. Stanton, attorney for the
District The pay rolls of the school teachers
have been completed, and the only thing in the
way OF commencing payment on them is the
want of the blank checks, which are not yet
completed. the work is being executed by
the bureau of engraving and printing, Treasury
Department.
There is still considerable pressure being
brought to bear against the retention Of some
of the old employees, but it is hardly probable
that any further changes will be made.
In the room of the board of audit the gentle
men were Kept busy receiving claims, but no
thing of any special interest transpired.