Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-03
district Goyernment Affairs,

Ine DlStrlct commissioners nave ISSUED an
| order that the major OF police will cause the
| arrest Of any person or persons found violating
the law in distiguring the paved streets Of the
city by writing, drawing figures, or representa-
| tons of any kind thereon"
| IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN FAVOR OF THE DIS
TRICT IN THE STRONG CASE.
Mr.. Francis Miller, assistant attorney for the
District has made to the Commissioners re-
port of the management of the case of Samuel
Strong against the District of Columbia, which
was intruSted by Mr.. Riddle to his care, with
the result OF the trial which commenced on the
| 30th December and terminated February 90
the jury under the instructions of the court
rendering verdict in favor OF the District. He
states that questions Of law Of very great i'm
portance to the District, In this and other cases.
were decided In favor OF the District. l. 1t was
decided that all contracts made by the board OF
public works without previous appropriation
by law are void, and contractor cannot re-
cover for work done in consequence of such
contract. 2. That when contractors have re-
ceived the auditors certificates OF the board OF
| and parted with them to third parties, and
! these certificates have been paid or re-
deemed by the District, the District is
entitled to credit for the full face amount Of the
! certificates. 3. That where a contractor has
| submitted his claims to the late board Of audit,
and that board has made an award and the con-
tractor has received the benefit OF that award.
it is fund adjudication and precludes further
recovery. These questions, with some others OF
more general character, disposed OF the case,
at least so far as the trial Just closed is con-
that these important points of law could be de-
cided In case in which no injustice could be
done the contractor. In every one Of the con-
tracts sued on In this cause the amount due to
Mr. Strong had been definitely ascertained tn
the manner prescribed by the contract ITSELF
that Is by measurement OF the engineers OF the
District, ana the sums so found to be due have
been paid by the District in cash or by the
bonds OF the District In one caSe that OF the
Georgetown contract by mistake Of the Dis
trict officers, Mr.. Strong was overpaid S21 21I.9O
This overpayment was found by the board of
audit, and was by them charged against Mr..
Strong on work done by him on the Boundary
suit" Mr.. Miller gives statement la detail of
the amounts found due to Mr.. Strong by
the engineers of the District and the
amounts audited by the auditor OF the board OF
public works. for which auditors certificates
were issued, since paid in money or redeemed in
interest-bearin obligations OF the District,
making the amount paid Mr. Strong altogether
s191 1896; amount of work done by Strong.
S1GS ,669.5S; amount overpaid, $22, ,1S3.4S. Mr..
Miller says, in conclusion:-'' From this state
ment it clearly appears that the true rules of
having been done TO Mr.. Strong.n
DELEGATION OF CITIZENS
from South Washington, composed of Messrs.
Samuel Norment, - Mckenzie and others.
called upon the District Commissioners to-day
to see what they had to say about the Improve
ment OF G street from the river front to Della
ware avenue and 1st street, where there is a
passable outlet to Capitol Hill. They pointed
out the great convenience such an improve
ment would be to that section OF the city and
TO the citizens generally. The Commissioners
stated that they were anxious and willing to do
all in their power. They thought it possible
that G street from the river to AZ street could
be repaired, and from ~ street to Delaware
avenue they thought could be fitted up to make
a good passable road the coming season. They
also stated that II street. from the river through,
was already in the estimates for Improvement.
IMPROVEMENTS ASKED FOR IN EAST WASHING
TON.
ion, composed OF Messrs. John E. Herrel, Jas.
Il. Mead, VIM. E. Hutchinson, A. P. Clark Dr.
Adams, X. Leitch, and others, called upon the
District Commissioners to-day to see IL 9th
street, from Pennsylvania avenue to the Navy
Yard, cannot be put In passable order; also Z
street from 11th to the Congressional cemetery;
street be put in good order so that they may be
travelled at all seasons Of the year with safety
and comfort. Mr.. John E. Herren and Mr.
rest hsS bean Ine eGt % streets
left In that condition for the last eight years
with no further work done to It. Prop
erty had been injured by what had been done.
gressional cemetery In rainy weather except
by the direct course through Pennsylvania ave-
sth street, especially in rainy weather. What
is wanted Is this avenue improved through to
the Eastern branch and a bridge run across
the improvement of E street from sth to l1th
street, and so on to the cemetery, which would
AFFORD relief now most needed. Major TWiHinp
to whom the delegation addressed itself, stated
that the commissioners would do all that thew
have the means for, to afford the relief asked
It was probable that they may be able 10 do
something from the repair fund to FIX up 9Th
street, and repair street between the points
named. As to the outlay necessary for the ex-
tension OF Pennsylvania avenue and bridge
across the Eastern branch, they would have to
20 10 Congress for an appropriation, as the
Commissioners have no power to use any reve-
nues for that purpose. He pointed out the
proper way for them to pursue, and the delega-
Ion promised to cooperate with the Commits
doners In effecting this object the coming sea-
'on, II possible. The subject OF lighting up the
trtetS In the eastern section OF the city In q
etter manner Was also discussed.