Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-08-23
CITY AND DISTRICT.
TIE MECHANICS, LIEN LAW.
What Building Inspector Entwisle
Thinks of lt.

dalnkS
ITS EFFECT UPON BUILDING-HE REGARDS THE
LAW AS UNwIsE AND NJURI0Us-HOw He
THINKS II CAME TO BE PAssED-THE INTERESTS
OF THE MATERIAL MEN. &c.
so far as your observation has extended
what has been the practical effects of the new
mechanics lien law on the building business
since its passage:" inquired STAR man Of
Building Inspector Entwisleto-day.
II have not had time" said the building
Inspector. ito give much attention to it, and
do not think sufficient time has elapsed since
the law went into effect to show much results.
1t will not be long before the law will be heard
from if is oppressive to any class of citizens"
What do YOU think OF it as a law, and how
will it probably affect the building business"
continued The STAR.
10 my mind" answered Mr.. Entwise, 1.-The
passage of the act was very unwise legislation,
and will naturally retard the building of houses
and other improvements in this District. There
seems to be Discrimination on the part of men
who are in the habit of loanino money on build
ings in process of erection to make such adj
yanccs on account of the insecurity under the
new law. This is what predicted when i first
saw the law, just before the passage of the act.
j expressed my views 10 the District Commits
sionprs at the time and pointed out what I
thought was wrong and would work to the dis
advantage of parties interested. by mind was
that Il was no Improvement over the old lien
law ON the contrary. it would do much injury
t. the very parties it seemed to be intended to
benefit"
who does il really benefit the most:" asked
The reporter.
why. you can see yourself by reading both
the old and new versions of the law. The old
law was much better, as the benefits were more
mutual To all parties Interested. A lien made
according 10 the forms prescribed has prece-
Gence over any ether claim and the parties who
furnish bricks. lumber or other material or labor
can come in with their recorded liens and sWal-
low up the whole property involved. leaving
the money lender. who furnished the sinews
to shift for himself. The law is of no practical
benefit 70 the jOurneyman, who, as the practice
now stands. gets his pay every week and runs
no risk at all. 1t has always been the case in
this District that any responsible citizen could
get accommodations Of loans for the purpose of
improving his property. at a reasonable rate of
interest on long time. by giving deed of trust
on the whole estate improved. including ground
and improvements. These deeds always had the
precedence in OUT courts over other claims in
cases of suit In this way the money lender
felt secure: all Others Interested received their
pay promptly and but very little Earring ever
occurred. the benefits all CUnd being mutual"
What. then. caused the change Of the law
That i an interesting point. and all kinds
Of explanations are made according to the way
III which persons are affected Some say that
politics lad much To do with the passage of the
bill. 1T being popular one. fayoring as it APP
parently does the jcuTneyman mechanic and
laDGrinG man. 1t Is not improbable that this
had much 70 do with the passage of the law
The fact Is. as any one can see. that the effect
Of the law is to more fully protect the lumber
dealer. brick maker and Others, who furnish
materials for building purposes to the prejudice
OF tie mOney-lender. building association or
any other organization which furnishes the
means fer improvements or repairs
Look at the second section of the act: That
ANY person wishing 10 avail himself of the pro-
Visions Of this act. whether his claim be due or
not. shall file in the Office Of the clerk of the
Supreme Court Of the District OF Columbia
during tie construction or within three months
after the completion of such building or repairs
or the placing therein or adjacent thereto of any
engine. na:hIntry or other thing. . notice of
bis intention To hold a lien upon the property
declared by this act liable TO such lien for the
amount cue OF to become due to him. specific
ally setting forth the amount claimed The
thir, SECTION provides That these liens hereby
given shall he preferred to all judgments. mort
cages. dCeis Of trust. liens and membranes
which attach upon the said building or the
ground aforesaid subsequent to the commence
Iltnt OF work on said building, &C.
These continued Mr. Entwisle. "are sam
TieS OF the tenor of the law throughout the
entire act. and. in my opinion will work great
injury 10 progress III this city,
VIII it hot have an injurious effect on the
TateTial men themselyes:' yentured the re-
porter.
Yes. it WILL" replied the Inspector "The
st"pp2ga of, or retaTding of. building In this
city viii play the mischief with all who furnish
materials, and probably will bring them to their
senses. hhd tifShorcSt contractors will see an
md 10 their operations The real estate dealers
vii! suffer. too. by the operations of this law, as
II must naturally retard the sales OF property in
tins District. / see. too. that the board of di-
IrctoTs Of the Equitable Building association
held a meeting wednesday night last at which
they refused to loan money upon houses under
Construction owing 10 the terms of the present
mechanics lien law. Another effect is that
poor jCurneyman mechanic will have no chance
u rise The preference will always be given to
wealthy contractor, who is supposed to have
more responsibility | have no doubt that the
law VIII 5e repealed or modified the next ses-
sion OF Congress"
4 u AE,.sA.S . N,z,s,