Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-26
MILLIONS WANTED.
The Commissioners Prepare Their
Bill for a System of Sewers.
THEY WANT DISTRICT BONDS.
The Bill! Provides for $5,I25,OOo
Bonds Guaranteed by Congress.
THE BILL AS DRAW N.

THE BILL AS DRAWN.
VIII Congress permit the District to bond
itself to the extent of s., 600 for the pur-
pose of completing a system Of trunk sew
ers and to provide means for sewage dis
posal?
That is the great question that agitates
the Commissioners these days. AS pub
lie necessity they place it at the head of the
list and will urge 1t before anything else.
1t will be recalled that The Star called at
tention to this matter some time ago. The
first proposition was to ask Congress for
permission to bond the District to the ex-
tent of 81, 100000. but after some elaboration
it was decided that 5.l25.0O0 would be suf
ficient.
Since the first publication of their desire
to provide some means for completing the
sewerage system the engineer department
has been wrestling with bill for introdlc-
ton in Congress.
The attorney for the District was called
in and offered several suggestions.
Today the bill was completed and at the
afternoon session Of the board Capt. Pow
ell presented it for the consideration of the
Commissioners.
The bill in full Is as follows:
Inc Dill provides that the Commissioners
OF the District of Columbia be authorized
m..i'h Sky Gays after the passage of this
act, having prepared the necessary plans
tnerefor, to proceed with the work of COM
pleting the system of trunk sewers in the
District OF Columbia. and also to proceed
with the work of completing a system of
sewage disposal for protection against
Hoods, in accordance with the plans recon-
mended by the board of sanitary engineers
m their report to Congress upon the sew
of
PROVIDED. That the extension of the sys-
TEN OF trunk sewers shall not exceed
N,Wo,OO0, and that the cost Of continuing
and completing the system Of sewage dis
posal for protection against floods herein
provided for, shall not exceed the sum of
A,125,O00
Bonds Proposed.
That in order to provide the money neces-
sary to defray the cost and expense Of exc
cutting the works authorized by this act,
the treasurer of the United States, as ex-
officio sinking fund commissioner Of the
District Of Columbia, be. and he is hereby,
authorized. and it shall be his duty, to
cause bonds Of the District Of Columbia to
be prepared to the amount of S125,0OO
bearing date July /. 1894. payable fifty years
after date bearing interest at the rate Of
per centum per annum, payable semi-an-
nually, to be signed by him and be counter
signed by the auditor of said District and
sealed as the board Of Commissioners may
direct, which bonds shall be exempted
from taxation by federal, state or munich
pal authority. and shall be engraved and
printed at the expense of the District of
Columbia, and in form not inconsistent
states Is hereby pledged that the United
states will by proper proportional appro-
priations, as contemplated in the act of
June IL. 1873, to provide a government for
the District Of Columbia, pay the interest
on said bonds as the same may become
due and payable. and create sinking
fund for the payment thereof, one-half
the amount expended under the authority
or this section to be charged against the
revenues of the District of Columbia. The
principal and interest upon said bonds
shall be made payable at the treasury Of
the United States. Said bonds will be num-
bered cousecutively and registered in the
office of the register of the United States
treasury, for which registration the Sec
retary OF the Treasury shall make such
provision as may be necessary.
That whenever any money shall be re-
quired to defray the cost and expenses in
CURED under this act the Commissioners
requisition upon the treasurer Of the United
States for the amount due and payable
and the treasurer of the United States Is
hereby authorized to sell and dispose of
from time to time any Of the bonds pre-
pared Under this act. at not less than their
par value, to the most favorable bidder or
bidders, after having advertised the same
for ten consecutive days in two daily news
papers in Washington city and two in the
city of New York. the bids to be opened
under such regulations as may be prescribed
by the Secretary OF Treasury. and the award
to be subject to his approval; and the pro-
ceeds of any such sale or sales shall be ap-
piled to the payment of the expenses incur
red under the provisions of this act and to
no other purposes whatever.
Proposals for Work.
That the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia shall invite proposals for the
ynrx cd IN %t,;.
total cost of any item of said work shall
exceed the sum of $1,000. notice shall be
given in one newspaper in Washington
city. in said District. and If the total cost
OF any item shall exceed the sum of 5000,
then in one newspaper in the city of Wash
1ngton and one In each of the cities of New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore for one
week, such advertisement to refer bidders
to plans and specifications for the work
proposed to be done. And the lowest re-
sponsibie bidder for the kind and character
of the work which the Commissioners shall
determine upon, shall in all cases be ac-
cepted: Provided, however, that the Com
missioners shall have the right in their
discretion to reject any and all such pro-
posals: Provided further That work capabl,
OF being executed under a single contract
shall not be subdivided as to reduce the
sum OF money to be paid therefor to less
than $1,000. And provided further That
If, in the judgment of said Commissioners.
the public interest will be promoted there
by, they may purchase at the lowest market
price, and furniSnNo contractors certain
of ting materials neceesary in the execution
of the works here$a>fequired to be done and
pay for said materials out of the proceeds
of the sale of the bonds herein authorized
Contract Requirements.
That all contracts for the constructit of
the work herein provided for shall be made
and entered into only by and with the Off
cial and unanimous consent Of the Commits
sioners of the District of Columbia and all
contracts shall be copied in a book kept for
that purpose and be signed by the Com
missioners, and no contract involving an
expenditure of 800 and upwards shall be
valid until signed and recorded as afore-
said. And good and sufficient bonds to the
United States in a penal sum of not less
than the amount of the contract with sure
10 sLsuOIssluIIuoO sql 40 p9AoIddB 90 o. ssp
the District of Columbia shall be :e,II.ire
from all contractors, guaranteeing that the
terms of their contract shall be strictly and
faithfully performed to the satisfaction of
and acceptance by said Commissioner; and
that contractors shall keep the work Ier-
formed by them in repair for term of five
years from the date of the completion CT
their contract, and 10 per cent of the cost
of all new work shall be retained IS i-dd-
tional security and guarantee to make good
defects in the original construction and to
keep the same in repair for said term,
which said per centum shall be invested in
registered bonds OF the United States or the