The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-06
MAY COSTA MILLION MORE
CONTRACTORS AT SEA as A RE-
suit OF THE 9-HoUR LAW.


the Present Appropriation VIII Be
Inadequate to Finish the 26-Foot
Project-Blds May Be Increased so
Per Cent. as a Result.
The influence Of the S-hour law, approved
by the President Aug. 1, has already made
itself felt in this city. Though only few
days old, 1t Is creating considerable COM
ment among the business men who have
labored so earnestly for the passage
of the deep water bill. as well as
among those who aave done, or
expect to do, government work. Even
those contractors who have had large
experience are all at sea Ia properly esti-
mating the true value Of this unknown
factor. which has so SUDDENLY appeared. 1t
has been learned that all contracts for
work to be done for tho United States, or
under the control of officers Of thu United
States, after Aug. l, will contain all Of the
stringent features Of the S-hour law.
Ia an interview with a reporter Of the
MORNING News few days ago Capt. Car
ter stated that if such a measure as this
were TO become q law 1t would undoubtedly
largely increase the cost Of WORK at this
point or the original estimate OF So, $780,
900, ahous $4,000 has already been ex-
pended and an increase of but 33H per
cent of the cost of the remainder would
bring the total cost OF the work up to
81, 500, 000-an increase OF Sl,O0OOOO. AS
the 8-hour measure is now a law there
seems to be no doubt that the cost
of securing 26-foot channel to
the sea will sxceed the original
estimate OF the engineer by from one to two
millions of dollars. 1t will, therefore. be
seen that this act cannot but have a very
serious effect upon the Savannah herbor
improvement, and may defeat the comple-
ton Of the work In which Savannah is 80
much interested.
EFFECTS OF THE LAW.
The harbor work Ia of such a character
that those carrying it on will be placed at
great disadvantage, being prevented from
using their mechanics and laborers at such
time and for such hours as they may find
convenient and practicable. For instance,
there are many DAYS in succession near the
mouth of tho river when nothing can be
done on account of the violence and uncer-
tainty OF the weather and other difficulties
attending the execution Of the work at that
place. Day after day dredRes, tugboats,
barges, ect., have been lying idle down there,
fully manned, with their crews under
pay, waiting for favorable break In the
weather. To require that in no one day
shall the hours OF a laborer or mechanic ex-
coed eight, might mean an utter loss Of
thousands Of dollars worth of material to
contractor by stopping work at the very
time when it could be carried on most ad-
vantageously, for it would be found i'm
practicable aud too expensive for him TO
keep two or three relays of laborers on
hand at all times
Pursuing this subject, a well-known and
successful contractor OF this city said day
or two ago that this bill has upset all Of his
calculations and has set him to revising his
bid and further, that when made it would
be increased by at least so per cent, as the
item OF labor was one OF the most important
and uncertain entering his figures. The
price Of material moreover, such as stone,
piles, lumber, ETC., would also advance,
as no contractor could, without making
himself liable to the penalties prescribed
In the act, enter into an agreement with
subcontractor, or purchase from any en-
ployer of labor, unless the latter should put
his men on the S-hour basis. Shorter hours
of work mean higher prices for material,
and higher prices mean larger bids than
heretofore. Under such state of affairs il
might mean that the lowest bid received
would be 90 high as to make 1t impossible to
complete the improvement under che present
law.
AS the bill is Of more than ordinary pub
lie interest, the first two sections are given
in FULL
1. The service and employment Of all laborers
and mechanics who are now or may hereafter
be employed by the government OF the United
States, by the District of Columbia, or by any
contractor or subcontractor upon any of the
public works of the United States or of the aid
District of Columbia, is hereby limited and re-
striced to eight hours IN any one calendar day,
and it shall be- unlawful for any officer of the
United States government or Of the District of
Columbia or any such contractor or subcon-
tractor whose duty 1t shall be to employ direct or
control the services OF such laporers or mechan-
les to require or permit any such laborer or me-
chanic to work more than eight hours in any
calendar day except IN case OF extraordinary
emergency.
g. Any Officer or agent of the government of
the United states or of the District of Column
ba, or any contractor or subcaptractor whose
duty it snail be to employ, dire& or control any
laborer or mechanic employed upon any of the
public works OF the United States or of the
District of Columbia who shall Intentionally
violate any provision Of this act shall be deemed
guilty of q msaemeanor, and for each and every
such offense shall, upon conviction, be- punished
by a fine not to exceed 81, 900 or by imprison-
ment for not more than six months, or by both
such fine and Imprisonment, in the discretion Of
the court having jurisdiction thereof.
The third section provides that no con-
tracts entered into previous to Aug. l, 1892.
will come within its provisions.
ABSOLUTE GUARANTEES REQUIRED.
construction, on account of the uncertain
ties of labor, are being felt to greater or
less extent everywhere; and in order to Sc
cure community and mako certain that
desired and necessary Improvements will be
completed on time, contracts for important
works are awarded now only to those whose
experience and responsibility are such as to
guarantee that they will be carried OUT
promptly and properly, irrespective of
difficulties. Illustrative Of the fears of a
municipality that an important work might
not be carried on vigorously the following
is of interest:
A short time ago bids for the CONSTRUCT
| tion OF a storage dam near Croton lake we're
opened by the New York squeduct COM
missioners. This work is the greatest thing
! of the kind ever attempted, Az tbs Cornell
dam was to be q work of great public mo-
ment the greatest care was exercised to let
the contract for its building to men Of un-
doubted skill and undisputed responsibility.
| The cost of this work was estimated by the
engineer in charge at "a, 574, $50. The low
| est bid was 1858, S24 less than the nextaow-
est and Sl.047,lS0 undor the engineers
estimate. Upon this showing the aque-
duct committee admitted that. under
ordinary circumstance the con-
tract would have been awarded TO the low
est bidder, but the danger Of delay through
labor troubles and other complications were
40 great that thaV rafuaad 10 award the coD-