Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-02
Desees. 4. sne u.se. Ia

Editor Star: Will you cali the attention Of
Congress to the defects OF the mechanics lien
law Of the District OF Columbia that they may
amend or repeal the same, 60 that the legislature
may pass an eficient one. First, according to
sections p and = the t lien does not operate
OF the Circuit Court for District OF Columbia,
notice BY the beneficiary of his intention to hold
lien upon the property. The defects of this
provision IL that person can encumber or sell
the property, and the very labor and material
that others have put on a lot aud M AXE IL vaiu-
able, and thereby deprive others of their just
claims, which Is manifestly unjust. This has
been done in number of instances. This pro-
vision ought to be amended, and the lien made
TO operate from the time the building Is COM
menced and continue until ninety days after il
is completed, and sll persons performing labor
or furnishing material should have the benefit
OF the law as well as the principal contractor.
Such Is the law in most of tho states. The
second defect lie in the eleventh section. After
the lien has been fled the defendant may file
an undertaking with surety to be approx ed by
is q bad provision of the law, Is experience
proves that personal security IL less than half
when substituted for real estate, and this
amendment added to section ten to compel
parties to settle their claims before the court in
basc on three days notice from either party.
A BUILDER.
WASHINGTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE. In
this conference, In session at Winchester, Va,
on Friday. Rev. b. Brown, sr., of Asbury
Church, Washington. sent in his report, having
been sick for long time. There is much sym.
patty exhibited by the conference for him. Rev.
T.. Lawson offered a resolution that no minis
ter using tobacco should be admitted into the
conference; laid on the table.
At Saturdays session the seat of the next con-
ference, 1875, was fixed at Alexandria, Va. A
communication from the Delaware conference,
to start new paper in the church, was read;
the conference refused to cooperate.
The ARLINGTON FIRE INSURANCE COMP AMY.
At meeting Of the board of direc ors of this
company, held on Saturday last, the old off GERS
were unanimously reelected to serve the ensu-
ing year, as follows: Walter s. Cox, president;
Dr.Wm. p. Johnston, vice president; s. j. Todd,
secretary and treasurer; Frank L. Rawlings
assistant secretary. See its advertisement in
another column.
REV. DIR. HENRY SLIOER.-This venerable
minister, who has been an invalid for some
time past, is still confined to his room as his res
idence, No. 322 East Baltimore street. DIR.
Slicer. although not suffering fromthe rheuma-
tism, with which his illness originated, is physi
cally Frustrated. His mind, no wever Is as Wig
orous as ever, and except at long intervals,
when his memory seems a little at fault, is re-
markedly clear. The doctor has thought and
talked much OF being present at the sessions of
the present conferences; but, whilst in will and
spirit he IL as earnest as ever, his physical in
hrmlt1es will prevent the accomplishment of
this his most ardent wish. DIR. Slicer keeps
watchtul eye upon the events of the day as they
transpire, and is a constant reader of the news
papers. He is attended by Captain Sheer, u.
>. N, who is on an extended leave of absence
for the purpose. DIR. Slicer is about seventy
four or seventy-fve years of age-BaEt. ARlsri-