The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-24
OPPOSE CONTRACT WORK
~xc.rxrroNs FOR SEWERS SMALL
RE MADE BY DAY LABOR.
So. Committee on Streets Award the Con-
tract for Brickwork on Sewers, but
support Day Labor for Excavations.

rh. Committee on Streets held a called
ling IN the city Engineers office last
o,coine for the purpose OF considering
.,. question as 70 the construction OF
..oors on First and Nicholson streets.
,-t.-e were present Captain William u.
curtis and Mcssrs. Allen. Bahen. Brauer.
% r. Davis. Gray. stratton. Thomas.
g,rrin and Royal White.
pss FOR the construction Of six sewers
,. a0ercnt sections OF the city were
or.rcl as follows:
le1 Powers. sewers. $3.50 per thousand
bricks. stocks SlG99; pipe. cents; ex-
walton. 20 cents per cubic yard. A. c.
MAYNARD Sewers $40 per thousand
bricks. stocks SlG45; pipe. 4 cents: ex-
ovation. 40 cents per cubic yard.
Nr Davis moved TO award the contract
on hc hrickwork 70 a. G. Maynard.
which was adopted.
vr Thomas moved that the contract
f.r the excavation be awarded 10 Mr..
MAYNARD. Heretofore this work has
boon done by white day labor, and the
Dfv Engineer explained that the Gull
,.rts could not be- built for these amounts
lt the day labor.
Mr. Aucn offered the following resolu-
ton as "a substitute 10 Mr.. Thomas res
o'ution.
Whereas. II IS shown by official figures
obtained from the City Engineers Of
fire that the cost Of digging sewer
trenches by the present system costs at
lrast ~ per cent. more than by contract.
ana believing that public funds should be
economically expended. and the greatest
benefit Joe given TO the greatest number:
now. therefore. be it
Resolved. That the work OF digging new
trenches be done by that system which
VIII give the most benefit for the amount
expended to-wit-by contract.
t,r Sfratt0n opposed this substitute
anl asserted that its adoption meant
chat negroes would take the places OF
tho present sewer force. or that the white
sewer hands would have to work for
500 day, while they are now making
600
Mr Aliens resolution was also antag-
artza1 by Mcssrs. Davis and Turpin
These gentlemen took the ground that
ftev were not only confronted by the
question involving the expenditure Of
tao city's funds but also with that
which dealt with tho wages Of the honest
employees Of the city.
Nlr. Thomas spoke in favor Of Mr..
Auons resolution and explained that he
f1t I'm duty bound TO look out for the
interests Of the city. For this reason he
Was compelled 10 support the proposed
measure.
After some further discussion. Mr.
Aliens resolution was lost by tie vote
ls follows.
Aycs-Mcssrs. Allen. ! Bahen, Gray,
Thomas and WI 3.
Noes- Mossrs. Brauer. Davis. Stratton
Turpin and Curtis.
The brickwork on the First street
system OF sewers and on the Nicholson
hv Mr. Maynard and the digging OF the
necessary trenches On First street will
De done by the sewer force OF the city
Some time ago the Committee on Streets
decided that the eXcavating for the Mich
olson street sewers be done by contra It.
hut no contract for the same had as yet
been given out. In view OF the fate OF
Mr. Aliens resolution Colonel Cutshaw
desired 10 know what action he would
have 10 take I'm the matter.
II was stated that the vote would have
% be rCcorsidcred by which IL had been
decided 20 have the eXcavating on Nichol-
son street done by contract, in order
that the sewer force might be used. Mr..
Sfratton made a motion 10 that effect,
bat withdrew 10 Immediately when he
Considered tat a majority OF the COM
mittee would not support his motion.
Mr. Turpin next moved 20 lay the whole
matter on the table and this motion was
lost ty the same tie vote.
The committee then adjourned, and the
question as To the Nicholson street sewers
Will come mp again at full meeting Of
the committee. Mcssrs. BOykin and JOS.
w. Carter were the absentees at yester-
days meeting.