The evening times., 1896-12-12

by the condemnation proceedings. They
contended that Congress should purchas,
the cemetery Wand and the karboIr tract as Il
matter OF right and equity. Action was
deferred.
DAY LABOR ON DISTRICT WORK
Mr.. Babcock read the bill, $. No. 3Ous,
regarding day labor on District work. lie
said that the bill might as well read so
as to leave the whole question of the en-
ployment of labor to the Commissioners.
Mr. Truesdell said it ought TO be left TO
the Commissioners to advertise certain
classes of work for contracts, because in
that way they could get bids from large
concerns in other cities.
There was some question rs to what this
work was and what the kind OF improve
nents would be outside tue erection OF
buildings.
Mr.. Truesdell said the construction Of
buildings was very little in the hands of
the Commissioners. He had found it prof
liable in certain sewer work 10 have the
work done by day labor.
1t was suggested by Chairman Babcock
that the present bill would leave the whole
construction Of sewers and streets in the
streeteNtension scheme, involving millions
of dollars, wholly in the discretion OF the
Commissioners. He thought the power given
them was too sweeping.
question was asked as to the power Of
the Commissioners to re- ject contracts. Mr..
Trucsdell said they were obliged, under
the decisions OF the courts, finally 10 ac-
cept the lowest and best bid, though they
might re ject all OF any particular set OF bids.
lie was asked what class of work should
not be done by contract. He answered that
notably the building of the tunnel from
Georgetown to the new reservoir was a
case where contract work was inadvisafle.
Any such work underground and difficult
to inspect was liable to generate frauds.
There was every reas on for the conf ractor
to cheat, md almost no check upon him.
/ N such cases, undoubtedly. day labor
would secure better results and more honest
work.
Mr.. Babcock said in his experience, ex-
Ctpt in such matters as the tunnel, 1T was
better to do work by contract, because it
was cheaper. He believed 1t was generally
found one-third cheaper He mad had
considerable experience in such work.
SWEEPING THE STREETS.
Mr.. Truesdeil said that might be true
III some ID municipalities, it was not true here
He said, undoubtedly, such work as sweep
ing the streets should be left 10 the mu-
nioipal government.
Several members agreed with this Mr.
Curtis said that in his experience the cree
ton of buildings by day labor always
secured more solid construction, although
the contract method might be cheaper.
Mr.. Mines moved that the construction
of public buildings, the collection Of gar
bage, and the sweeping of streets be put
in the list of work that should be left TO
the discretion of the Commissioners.
1t was suggested that this would re-
quire the bill to be withdrawn from the
House and recommended to the considera-
ton of the committee. 1t was agreed
that this should be done.
Mr.. Babcock then said they would not be
rsaly n takn M hoy
desired, ON Monday. They would have to
meet again Wednesday. He would let the
bills go over till Monday week.
Mr.. Richardson asked if he could give
any assurance that the House would be in
session on that day. He reminded Mr.. Bah
cock that Christmas would come on Friday
of that week. II was agreed that Congress
would adjourn not later than December
Is, and whatever was to be done before
the holidays must be done next week.
Mr.. Babcock said he would try on Mon
day TO get another day next week assigned
to the District.
MAY USE MONDAY.
II he could not DO this they would use
Monday for all ii is W orth.
Attention was drawn to the fact that
bill No. 1888, regulating District liquor
traffic, which Mr.. Morse had up when
the House adjourned Thursday, would
have the right Of way Monday, unless it
was made District day.
Mr.. Babcock said he would have by that
time report. promised by Col. toss, as to
what extent that bill will change existing
law.
The committee adjourned to meet next
Wednesday. They will probably be to-
gether againf for a short time NJ Monday morn
ing.
Decision was also reached at the meeting
upon bills as follows: No. S010; to au-
thoriAe u survey for a bridge across TIE
Eastern Branch, on Massachusetts avenue,
extended, to be called up; No. S472, au-
thOrizing the Commissioners to accept the
Peter Van Essen bequest TO Georgetown
schools; recalled to committee. No. S726,
to provide for payment of certain claims
against the District in drawback certifi-
Gates. Senate bills Nos. 1s9 and 71G1
were set aside, not to be called up.