Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-29
THE LAW AND WAGES
Commissioners May Be Unable to Grant the
Workingmen's Request
Not Permitted by Law to Incorporate
ing WnEes-LegfsIntion Needed.

Considerable interest is manifested in
local labor circles. as well as in the build
ing world generally. over the proposition
made to the Commissioners last week that
hereafter in contracting for District work
the Commissioners incorporate in the spec
i1cations clause compelling the contrac-
tors TO employ only District workmen, and
to pay the highest rate of wages that pre-
walls in the different trades here The
proposition was advanced in a board meet
ing last week by q committee representing
the knights Of Labor and the Federation
of Labor. The Commissioners promised to
take the whole matter under advisement,
and the following day they calleI upon the
attorney for the District for an opinion as
to whether there was any law which would
prevent them from making such stipula-
ton.
Mr.. Thomas has not yet rendered his
opinion, which will probably be made in the
course of few days. The impression pre-
walls around the District building, however,
that the opinion, when it comes, will be ad-
verse to the proposition, and to the effect
that some special legislation will be leces-
sary from Congress before such action
the part of the Commissioners is possible.
His decision WILL it is understood, be based
on the organic act. which provides a per-
manent form of government for the District
of Columbia.
The Law Regarding Contracts.
The law on the subject of making con-
tracts for public buildings for the District
has this clause bearing on this particular
subject: i- '-- -r--it.
That hereafter when any repairs of
streets. avenues, alleys or sewers within
the District of Columbia are to be made
or when new pavements are to be substi-
tuted in place of those worn out, new ones
laid or new streets opened, sewers built or
ha ntal nf xxhfa cI,o1l
exceed the sum of $1,000, notice shall be
given in one newspaper in Washington and
If the total cost shall exceed 5000, then in
one newspaper in each of the cities of New
York. Philadelphia and Baltimore; also for
one week, for proposals, with full specifi-
cations as to materials for the whole or
any proportion of the works proposed to
be done. -.. -. = .,
''And the lowest responsible proposal for
the kind and character of pavement or 9TH
er work. which the Commissioners shall
determine upon. shall in all cases be ac-
cepted:
Provided. however, that the Commits
sioners shall have the right in their dis
cretion to reject all of such proposals.
An Official View of 1t.
A very prominent official of the District
government, in speaking of the matter
with Star reporter this morning, said:
while would prefer not to discuss the
question in advance of the receipt of Mr..
Thomas opinion, my own view of the mat
ter is that he can only decide against the
proposition. The law seems to be very
plain, and the second clause certainly stip-
ulates that the lowest responsible bid must
be accepted. If two men figure on the same
job, one on the basis of the payment of
maximum prices and the other on the en-
ployment of cheaper labor the latter will
In all probability be able to present the
lower bid, and the law will not permit of
any discrimination in favor of the man
III 49,
matter to what extent the personal feeling
of the Commissioners might lead them in
that direction. .r rs-.-t -...,. D., a.-
ITO me it would seem that the same
thing might apply to the matter of the
bricks to be used in a public building. The
price of labor in brick yard is, presum-
ably. regulated by the price of the COM
modify, and the man who gets the best
price for his bricks could afford to pay the
highest wages to his men. Why then
should not the Commissioners demand of
the contractors that not only should ma
terial of certain quality be used, but.that
the material should be the highest priced
obtainable?
Would Favor Legislation.
Mind you don't want to be understood
as arguing against the plan, but only that
with the law as it stands the plan is not
feasible. 1 know that the Commissioners
are in favor of paying fair and just wages
always, and no one will gainsay the fact
that a community is in the most prosperous
condition when it's members receive the
highest wages for their labor. The money
goes into circulation and the entire COM
munity is benefited as well as the individual
laborers, and better and healthier spirit
prevails. Personally. believe that, If the
attorney renders an opinion against the
proposition of the unions, the Commission
ers would themselves be in favor of special
legislation from the next Congress author
izing them to enbody such clause in
OF