Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-25
Lien Law in the District.

ACT PROPOSED By BUILDERS AND -CoSfEAC.
TORS
A meeting of builders. contracto and deal
ers in building material was held Saturday
night at Beck's Hall, TO hear the report of the
committee appointed at primary meeting to
draft an amendment TO the lien law for this
District, Which it is proposed to have intpo
duced in Congress. A large representation
was present and included most of the prOmi-
nent builders and the members of the Work
ingmen's Assembly. Mr.. George NJ. Barker
was called to the chair, and Mr.. w. III. Tucker
was elected secretary.
THE PROPOSED LAW
Mr.. Thomas H. Smith, as chairman of the
committee, submitted the report, in the form
of bill. which he proceeded to read. and it
was subsequently re read-Section by section
discussed and adopted.
Ii provides that every building hereafter
erected or repaired in the District of Column
ola, the lot or lots upon which the same is
being erected, and if outside of the city limits,
where the land is not divided into small lots,
so much ground shall be included as may be
necessary for the useful purposes OF said
building belonging to the owner thereof, shall
be subject 10 a lien for the payment of all
debts contracted for work done. or materials
furnished for or about the erection, construc-
ton or repairing of such building, and
also for any engine. machinery Or other
nected Herewith SO as 10 be a fixture.
The second section provides that any person
wishing TO avail himself of the provisions of
this act shall file in office of the clerk of the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
during the construction or within three
months after the completion of such building
or repairs, notice of his intention to hold a
lien upon the property, t0r the amount due
him. Sec. 8. The lien shall be preferred to all
judgments, mortgages, deeds of trust. liens,
and encumbranceS which attach upon the
said building or the ground Sec. 1. When a
building shall be erected or repairs made by
a lessee OF tenant for life, or term of years,
lease. Sec. 5. II the contract for the labor or
material be made with any person other than
the owner OF the ground on which the build
ing is erected, the person doing the work or
furnishing materials, shall not be entitled to
lien unless he files notice within three
months and giving notice in writing to such
owner, OF his Intention TO claim such lien. If
the owner cannot be found, he must place
such notice upon the door OF said building.
Sec. 6. Provides the form of proceedings to
enforce the lien, and if upon sale the proceeds
the court shall order them to be paid in pro-
portion to the amounts respectfully due to
each. The balance found due each party to
stand as judgment against the party who in
the work OF materials is placed on two or
more buildings and grounds for the same
The amount on each, but the aggregate and
the decree shall pass against all the build
lngs. See. s. Suits may be commenced at
any time after the maturity OF the
may join in one suit, but ' each
claim must be set forth. Sec 10. If there is
any contest as to dimension of the ground the
surveyor shall he called in. Sec. II. When a
person having lien has been satisfied and he
fails TO have said lien entered satisfied within
two days thereafter he shall forfeit $50 to the
aggriGyed party and be liable TO all damages.
Sec. II. The defendant may file an under
taking to pay the Judgment. See. Is. Pro-
yideS for a lien on wharyeS, water lots etc.
ANOTHER PROPOSITION.
MI Meany, of the WOrkingmen's Assembly,
read a bill prepared by the assembly, and
which is now in The hands of the District COM
mittee. 1t differs from the one adopted by
having section in relation to personal prop
erty as follows: Any mechanic or artisan
who shall make, alter or repair any article of
personal property at the request o. the owner
shall have lien thereon for reasonable
charges for his work done and materials fur
nished, and he may retain the same in posses
sion until such charges shall be paid, and if not
paid at the end of six months after the work
IS done. he may proceed to sell the property at
public auction by giving three weeks public
notice OF such sale in some newspaper pub
liShed in the District OF Columbia: and the
proceeds of said sale shall be applied first to
the discharge of such lien and the expense OF
selling such property ana the remainder. if
any, shall be paid over to the owner thereof
The chairman was authorized to appoint a
committee of twenty-five to represent the
interests of the meeting before Congress.
MeSSrS. Smith, Fay and Tucker were ap-
pointed a committee to wait upon the WORK
ingmenS Assembly and ask their Endorsement
of the bill.