Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-18
GEN. MElGS. REPLY
He AnsWers the Complaint Made by
the CarpenterN,

The Secretary OF the Interior to-day received the
following letter from Gen. VI. C. Negs, the SUPER
vi Ing architect and engineer Of the new Pension
building:
Il have the honor to return the complaint or r
|. Fowler corresponding secret airy " CarpenrerS'
Union No. against the conJrdcI work in nit NJ ND
the lower rooms OF the southern half Of ice s-w
PENSION building. 10 BE- occupied by the Pension
once al an early date. De states that the person
having the contract Is neither a carpeuter or a
builder. but simply lumber dealer by The name n
smith. and he complains OF the manner In which
lnlS contractor conducts his business
The contract 70 wooden flooring and for glazed
doors ana windows or these six rooms was. after
que aiNerti>t meat, publicly let according 10 law
10 the lowest b.Jders WAC proved 10 be NeSSrI
james NJ. York ana Edward : YORK. Mt Thomas
w. smith Is the bond,mtn on this contract. He is
the owner and manager OF 4 steam mill I'm tli.s
cfIy and has heretofore faithfully and punCtusiiy
some much wood work for the Pension building.
inere Was no reason 10 question ats sun riency
as a security for the ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS con-
trsct the whole amount OF which is estimated at
G,T3la
second complaint is made against the work
men actually employed bv the contractors in .Xe-
cutting the work. An ofiiler or the government
would scarcely be Justified in interfering with a
contractor Ia such details as long the work act
ually done and offered for acceptance was saLsfac-
tory. Thus far l have found nothing TO con-
u ,sa hovy rains unfortunately penetrated
.ns prlck arches which cover the rooms
Ia which floors had been partially laid
ana somewhat mashed and defaced the flooring
laid Ii was OF excellent quality and neither the
con ractors nor Their worknen were reSponsthIe
LOT The ruin or for the condition In which the build
ing was AT the time when, at the earnest desire Of
the commissioner OF pensions. whose clerks were
suffering Ia health from the crowded condition Of
the osidlnSs they occupy. and when the Depart
ment OF the Interior found itself 10 prucare
appropriations 10 rent more buildings, rail her -
lucIaniiy consented TO attempt 10 prepare speedily
some rooms for occupation before the roofs OF the
building were in place
III Is scarcely worth while to answer the third
complaint, which Is that the contractors are get
ting their work done by piece work II is by piece
Work Only that the ar>enalS or the United States
Manufacture AT reasonable cost the very perfect
arms Win which the Us. army is supplied
ana by piece work such great manufactures are
carried on.
The further and fourth complaint Is made that
the system inaugurated in the rev Pension build
ing Is simply TO break down or Ignore the ei.- 4
hcur law. The Pension building With yuur an
provai, was, / think. the first In the city this
season 10 adopt the eight hour law
winch, regret 10 Say. proves 10 be the cause OF
Very considerable Increase I'm the cost OF the work
mat law mas never been held. | think, TO iust ~
any government officers IN interfering with cen
petition when they engage or make oontr acts with
their employees. Were this attempted the contrac-
tor Certainly could and wos.d claim damages
Tor any such interference with his and
his warkmala's tights They make Tier
own contracts for materials and for labor This Is
Their undouDted right, anu never heard OF It's
being questioned before read the leiter referred
10 NE lor remark. The carpenters and other
mechanics employed by the day upon the new Pen
and work eight hours per day. | DO not md IL In
practice an economical system. but think IL il tie
lew. ana that Is sufficient for the Interior DEPART
ment and for It's officers"