Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-09
Meeting Of the Contractors ASsOeia-
linn


At the regular meeting of the Contractors
Association, last night, Mr.. T.. r. Barnes m the
chair. and Henry Himber secretary, Mr.. Maui
nee Murphy was elected member OF the assO-
MIR. Finley, from the committee on finance,
stated that the auditing commission were al
ready at work on contractors accounts, and
would probably have them all settled in few
days, when the contractors will know what
amounts are due them He urged upon them
the importance of handing in to the ass1cia -iOn
their statements of amounts OF negOti able papsr
held by them, so that the association can act In
telhgently. Contractors are in some cases paw
ing "a Per cent. per month on advances, which
there is 10 necessity for doing.
Mr.. Lucas said the District Commissioners
were treating the contractors badly. The CON
tractors who are getting new work now are get
tlpg much better terms than the old contractors
While the old contractors are suffering heavy
shave, the new contractors are able to stand
heavy shaves, and yet make money. In fact,
uey are getting such prices as justify them ia
selling their paper at 30 cents on the dollar vet
they make more money than the contractors
under the Board Of Public Works. He thought
paper should he drawn up to present to the
commissioners, asking for some relief. When
the Board of Public Works were in 10 yer such
relief had been extended in several cases, TO his
knowledge, by extra compensation being grant
ed TO contractors for laying sewers.
Dir. Himber stated that Mr. Lucas had drawn
Lp letter 10 the Commissioners, which he,
Timber, bad been asked TO sign, reques ing an
advance on the prices stipulated in their con-
tracts. lie could not sign such paper "a IL
was evident that the Commissioners have no
power to do what is asked. II is sheer nonsense
70 go before the Commissioners with any such
request; the contractors only remedy for
losses is to go TO Congress.
Mr.. Lucas went on to say that he had sacri-
reed all he had 10 pay for his material and
labor. All his contracts were made a. old
prices under the board, which were much be-
low the prices low given for the same class OF
WcIk. The Commissioners are now paying
cash for new work.
Mr.. Barnes remarked that all the contractors
expected to get cash when they commenced
doing work under the Board Of Public Works.
] heir only remedy for the losses they have sus-
tanned is 10 60 before Congress.
Mr.. Lucas said his object IN presenting their
complaints to the Commissioners was 70 havs IL
brought before Congress through them.
Mr.. Birch said be knew of three contractors
who had got an advance Of Is per cent. from
the Board OF Public Works on their original
contract price. This was given them in order
10 Gave their work finished up at time when
contractors were unable to get cent from the
board, and we're Indifferent about doing any
work.
Mr.. Lucas said thai he had sacrificed at least
clb;ttd on ms N street contract, in order to get
material and labor to do his work. He owed
some ~ 600 for taxes, and now he must sacri-
nee his securities to pay taxes. They will not
take their own paper for taxes. Something
should be done to reimburse contractors for
their Losses in heavy shaves.
Mr.. O'Hare said the only way is to 90 before
Congress. The present time and place Is not
appropriate to discuss these things.
Mr.. X. A. Shnn stated that he had refused
10 sign the letter drawn by Mr.. Lucas for the
same rea sons as stated by Mr.. Himber; he would
sign nothing of the sort, which would be dis
carded by the Commissioners.
The directors were instructed TO secure suita-
bic permanent winter quarters for the assOeia-
ton.