Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-06

oil of these current wants and to yet have
a sufficient surplus TO pay the annual
charge by reason of the bond bill. Con-
gress will, we think, conform to its con-
tract to furnish dollar for our dollar in pay
ing these current expenses and charges.
But it will never recognize any surplus that
may remain after providing for these an
nual charges. 1t has never recognized 1t,
save by taking possession Of it. The Dis
trict committee has explicitly told us that
THE cost Of the work provided for in this
bill, together with the condition of the pub
lie treasury, preclude the possibility of pro-
vding for it by direct appropriation, so
that, whether the work be authorized now
or hereafter, an issue Of bonds must be the
means provided for raising the money"
When we consider in this connection what
has been before quoted from the message
of the mayor of Philadelphia, and refer to
the course pursued by other municipalities
to crafty like needs, we must agree with
the committee: whether the work be au-
thorized now or hereafter, an issue Of bonds
must be the means provided for raising the
money"
Effect on Labor Market.
G. Your further objection that this work
should not be done as whole, because the
expenditure of so much money in a short
time will attract here many Of the unem-
ployed elsewhere, seems unusual and with
out merit. Perhaps it is difficult to fully
realize the attitude of workngmen, willing
to work and yet without work, who see in
prospect abundant work for some few
years. We can appreciate their natural de-
sire to husband that work jealousy. While
we cannot admit this as an argument
against the doing of the work when and as
the needs of the whole community require,
yet we are sure that the claims OF our local
unemployed workmen should be preferred
to an extent not injurious to larger inter-
ests. We believe the experience at the Chi
cago worlds fair to be exceptional. More
than S25, 100000 were there expended in two
years under great stress of haste, requiring
labor both by day and by night. These con-
ditions will not be repeated here. We be-
lieve your apprehensions on this score to
be without sufficient foundation.
Z. We cannot agree with your character
ization of the contract system as in
famous" 1t Is the legal system OF letting
public works. With both individuals and
public bodies 1t has for many years been
almost the only system. While the sharp
ness Of competition in these days pares
down the profits of the contractor. 1t does
not materially diminish the day-wage of
the laborer. But even did manifold private
distresses result from competition, these
must be considered as lesser evils than the
jobbery which would infallibly follow, as
it always has followed, the exercise Of the
arbitrary power, whether vested in an In
dividual or in board. Of awarding. with
out open competition, work worth millions
of dollars to favorttes or to intrguers.
Under the contract system. the District
has had especially of late years, vast
amount of good work done, at a public
saving OF nunQreQS OF thousands OF dollars,
and without a breath OF scandal. The
aqueduct tunnel was the single exception
to such successful operations 1t was built
under physical conditions which made in
spection practically impossible, and was
not in charge Of District officials.
The proposed improvements will all re
work exposed during construction. and will
admit Of easy and efficient supervision and
examination.
s. Your proposal that the fate of the
measure shall be submitted to the trial Of
&C. hfr,fy
Where the question has been whether or
not municipality should issue bonds to
aid in the building Of a private railroad,
there generally, but not necessarily uni
formly. this question has been submitted
to vote Of the citizens. But this is not
the case with distinctly local improve
Such questions deal not with the luxuries,
nor even the mere conveniences but with
the necessaries Of life. Possibly a majority
Of voters might be persuaded to forego en-
streets. The burden Of the proposed meas
ure will fall primarily and directly on real
question to its owners. You would not
propose to submit to universal suffrage the
question as to whether or not dwelling
houses should be connected with sewers.
We see no reason why the question
whether or not this municipality should do
what science has declared must be done to
destroy typhoid fever. should be answered
We have thus reviewed the entire subject
Of your communication, and we have been
the more specific and detailed, because we
desire the workingmen of the District to
have. in convenient shape and compass, all
considerations which appear to us weighty
and pertinent in connection with the i'm
portant questions concerned. We cannot
believe that they are opposed to principles
of public economy which have been uni
versally conceded and acted upon. The
distress and lack of work so prevalent
today are due to general financial and in
dustrial causes common to the whole coun-
try, and which have, for the time, serious
iy shaken public confidence and credit.
But let credit be restored. and in an in
credibly short period of time we shall see
houses stores, warehouses. manufactures
going up all over the land. All the myriad
forms Of human energy which depend upon
credit for life, and which increase tenfold
what she gives them-these will furnish
employment for thousands Of workmen.
This renewed business activity can only
spring from private and public works sup