Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-15
DISCUSSING. SEWER PLANS
Various Ideas Advanced at the Labor
Mass Meeting
Opposition to- n. BOniE Issue-A Single
Tax Provision Inserted in the
Resolution.

The labor mass meeting called at Build
|: erS' Exchange Hall last night to consider
the question OF the improvement anu ex-
| tension of the sewer and water systems of
the District was fairly attended. Master
Workman w. H. G. Simmons of the Dis
trict Assembly, knights of Labor, who has
taken a stand in opposition to the pro-
pesed issue of bonds to pay for needed i'm
prLvements, and many of his associates
were present, and a result resolutions
were adopted favoring the construction of
necessary. sewers, but opposing the issue
Of bonds, except such as may be absolutely
necessary for economic construction. The
officers of the meeting were: President,
Richard Emmons; vice president, Mr.. Geo.
o: Cook, and secretary, DIR. Vim. Gaddes.
President Emmons on taking the chair
said that they had assembled to study the
system of drainage of the city and to en-
desavor to aid by hearty appreciation and
encouragement the Inauguration of such
plans as will successfully meet the present
needs and give to now imperfectly
drained city a system of sewerage that
shall be complete and satisfactory in all
respects.
/ Much benefit and no increased rate of
taxation, he said, would be the only result
OF the adoption of the proposed plan. The
city by it's rapid growth had increased
enormously the price of city and suburban
land, and this had induced the building of
a great number of small houses narrow
streets which are without sewers OF water
and must remain until Congress acts.
The workinglnen, he said, should, and by
the new system could, have their homes
| supplied with these health-promoting
agents, namely, sewers and water. The eX-
perience of the last few days, he said, had
demonstrated to all in forcible and con-
elusive manner the unsatisfactory method
now in operation to supply the city with
water and sewers. The proposed improve
ments, he said, would furnish employment
/ for hundreds of the now unemployed, who
are eager for work, thus placing them
selves outside the circle of charity
Il Mr.. EmmOnS introduced DIR. Samuel G..
Blsey. president of the Medical Society,
| who made impressive address, urging
| the need of sewer and water Improvements.
He was given a vote of thanks at the con-
Iiclusion Of his remarks.
Ii Mr.. Sfmmons' Resolutions.
Il Mr.. Simmons introduced resolutions as
follows:
L LIST. That this meeting favors immediate
provision for the construction of such
sewers and for such increase of the water
supply as may be necessary for the health
and comfort of the people of the District
|. I'd. That the expense thereof shall be
paid out of the current revenues SO far as
possible, and that no bonds shall be sold
for the purpose, excepting such as shall be
abSoluteiy necessary Tor the economic con-
.Struction of the work
|! Sd. That these improvements shall be
paid for by tax on the only property to
he benefited-the land misunderstanding
personal property and buildings from the
basis of assessment.
| 4th. That the necessary bill providing for
sewers ard water shall not be joined with
a measure providing for the extension of
streets TO remote parts of the District OF
columbia.
|; 5th That for the protection of the public
and the workingmen of the District. the
work shall be done under the supervision
of competent and DISTINGUISHED engineers
employed by the District, and without re-
course to the contract system.
. 9Th. That no sale of bonds should be per-
mitted unless the proposition is submitted
to vote of the people of the District and
approved by them.
l. The Discussion.
Mr.. NJ. I. Weller spoke, indorsing some
and opposing those which he said coquet-
ted with the single tax. Mr.. E. H. Brown
delivered brief speech, criticsing the pro-
posed bond issue. Mr.. August Donath eX-
ipressed himself as favorable to the issue
of bonds.
. An amendment. offered by Mr.. Siddons,
providing that no men should be employed
on the works except residents of the Dis
trict was adopted
After a somewhat lively discussion, in
which disposition was shown by one or
TWO speakers 10 cfiticlSe tue plan IoF sewer
ing the District adopted by Congress, and
evidence was given that many of those
present were single TAKERS" Mr.. Sim
mons resolutions were adopted.
|; A resolution of thanks to the board Of
trade, for allowing the use of the hall for
| a discussion of the question. was adopted.
and the meeting was adjourned.
/, A Reply to the Beard of Trade.
{ Mr.. Simmons, master workman Of the
District Assembly, K. L., has prepared
+ rejoinder to the reply recently published by
the board of trade to the objections raised
by the knights of Labor against the Dis
/ trict bond bill In this rejoinder Mr.. Sim
mons reiterates the arguments advanced by
Of the Knights of Labor
against the bond hill but holds that labor
ORGANIZATIONS are not opposed to proper
measures for protecting the public health,
/ OF the construction of necessary sewers.