Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-06
The Contractors


ADVANCES OFFERED THEM AT SIXTY HTaHe
CENTS ON THE DoLLAR-osE SALE AT szv-
RNTI-TWo OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES oFsICIALs CRIT
lCIsED.
a meeting of the Contractors Association VAS
heid last night At their new place of meeting
on Ak street; the president, Mr.. Joseph VIII
Rotary.
Mr. Finley, from the committee to provide
foobs lot the winter. reported that sarisfa.-
tory arrangements had been m sfe for the two
large rooms where they were assembled with
furniture, gas, FIRE, &c, which would always he
at Their service. The report vas adopted.
Mr. Birch, from the special meeting on con-
sttution and by-laws, reported that a suffi s!ent
number had been printed for the uss of the
members, together with blank notices, &C. ali
report was adopted.
sISTY-EIGHT CENTS ON TIE DOLLAR OPFERRD
THs CONTRACTORS.
Mr.. Finley, from the finance cOmmittaa
stated that there is a gentleman in .hIs cify
willing and anxious TO make advances 10 ali
c. ntractoTs who desire money. and would take
their bonds at ; per cent. interest He U,nl1
advance IS cents on the dollar.
A memoer here reported a sale which had
been made yesterday at - cents. This II was
Stock Exchange. e"
Mr.. Lucas commenced 10 recite his oil grew
ance about not being able TO obtain from The
District Commission, T. funds 70 raiyuh Irss -
for payments TO his labOrers. This led 70 a dis
cusson between himself and Messrs. Hlssey.
GToat, Timber, Birch, and others, during which
Mr.. Lucas made some
RATHER SEVERE CRITICISMS
on the uncivil manner in which contractors are
treated in their intercourse with District off,
ciais. fhese remarks were nipped in the tud
by the chair. Nessrs. HusSey. HimOer Finley
eason, and others, who bore testimony to the
Uniform courtesy shown them by the officials
MI. Lucas explained that the treatment com
planned Of was confined TO only few iudiyiC.
nails. Another thing he desired to call the az
tentloD OF the association to was the advertise
ments Tor proposals for sewers, sidewalks, curb-
Nr1fv Rfrar T. Il Ill
oily. The old corporation used to give out this
class of work by wards, thereby dividing it ND
among the contractors and encouras ing a whole
some competition. There are now twenty-five
legislative districts, or were before the present
form of government, and in his Judgment il
would be much better to divide up this work
into the districts named.
DICTATION UNCALLRD FOR.
The chair stated that the remarks were mot IN
order; that the association have no business 10
dictate to the Commissioners or to Lieut. Hoxie
about Official management. The association ia
not formed for that purpose, but rather for
mutual protection. 1t injustice or pecuniary
loss is sustained by any member through the
District OH cisls il was their province m send
committee TO them and represent the facts AMI
respectfully ask for relief.
MIR. Finey remarked that he thought both
eli0gy and criticism OF the District officials was
out CT place.
Mr.. Lucas moved that a committee be ap-
pointed to wait upon the Commissioners and
ask that the work be divided up b. the old iegis-
latiye or council districts.
Considerable discussion followed.
Mr.. Himber remarked that he did not think
the purpose of the Commissioners was to give
out new contracts.
Mr. Hussey was opposed to the project of
going to the Commissioners with such com
plants; they have their own duties to perform
and IL was for the contractors TO shape their
course to SUIT the action of the Commissioners.
He moved TO lay the motion on the table; which,
after further discussion, was done.
A committee of three-Messrs. w. II. Buck
Nv md II 4
to investigate charges against a member, OF
supplantng feilOw-member.