Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-03

licit the Commissioners to accommodate the
corporation with the loan of their instrument
for few days. The committee reported that
they had waited upon the Commissioners of the
federal city and could not effect the loan OF the
instrument upon any other terms than the fol-
lowing: at must be used by the surveyor of
the city (of Washington and for two days in
week for term of six days only. That if the
this tine. upon a future application further
loan might be effected"
Thereupon it was resolved ''that the
thanks OF this corporation be returned to the
Commissioners of the city of Washington for
the extreme politeness and attention with
which they have been pleased to accommodate
this town by the offer of loan of the instru-
ment belonging to the citizens of Washington
for so great a length of time, as well as for
their condescending kindness in pointing out to
this corporation, unasked, u proper person to
do their work.
TENDER REGARD FOR WASHINGTON.
Resolved, That during these days for which
the Commissioners have determined to loan the
instrument in question it cannot but happen
that the interests of the city must be materially
affected by beng for so long time deprived of
the use of it. and that it would be highly I'M
generous and improper to profit by the liberal
ity OF the gentlemen who superintend the af-
fairs OF the city to their evident disadvantage.
That the commissioners Of the streets of
OF the said instrument unless it should be found
that the graduation Of the whole town can be
effected in the space of half an hour. and
should this not be found practicable they are
authorized to purchase a leveling instrument
with the funds placed at their disposal and that
q copy Of these resolutions be transmitted to
the Commissioners of Washington" The
trouble Of the committee and Of the CORPORA
ton with regard to the leveling instrument did
not end here.
GRADING OF THE STREETS.
At meeting held on the 2Sth of March, 1900,
the street commissioners reported that soon
after they were empowered to procure An in
strument for leveling the streets they first OBJ
tainei from competent judge a complete de-
scrlptlon Of such an instrument, and empow-
cred John Mason. one Of their number to write
to his correspondent in Philadelphia request
ing him to purchase have made complete
street level, by said description. provided the
same could be had for from $50 to $40; that
they were informed that no such instrument
could be had in Philadelphia. but that Mr..
Rittenhouse, mathematical instrument maker
near Philadelphia, would undertake to make
one, and thereupon Mr.. Biddle was requested
to direct it to be made; that they were disap-
pointed at not getting it in time to it in the
fall. and that Mr.. Mason had received a letter
from Mr.. Bddle dated January 16, saying that
the instrument was completed and brought to
him; that 1t was very complete one, and that
the price was $500.
The committee were very much astonished
at this price, and finding that they had limited
it to $40 they thereupon wrote to Mr. BiddIe
suggesting that Mr.. Rittenhouse dispose OF it
otherwise. and that the price so far exceeded
their limits that they were under no obli-
cation to take it; but if it could be obtained
for 800 they would pay that price.
A reply was received from Mr.. Rittenhouse
stating that it had been executed at consider
able expense and with great care, and saying
that as Misunderstanding had taken place he
would deduct $50; the committee submitted
the matter to the corporation for its action.
and the corporation, upon duly considering it.
concluded that they were not bound to take
the instrument by contract and expressed their
regrets that they were precluded from pur-
chasing it by the limited state Of their funds.