Evening star., 1898-02-21
Cleaning the Streets.

To the Editor IF The Evening Star:
A proposition is before the Senate, in the
form of an amendment offered by Senator
Elkins. to abolish the contract system, so
far as it applies to sweeping and cleaning
the streets of Washington, after the expira-
tion of the present contracts for doing that
work. Superintendent Stutler of the street
cleaning department, not long since, made
lucid and comprehensive statement touch
ing the subject, which was approved by the
District Commissioners, giving the approx
innate cost of doing the work by municipal
authority as compared with that of doing 1t
under the contract system The figures
given show that the city would not only be
large financial gamer by doing the work.
but 1t could give employment to an in
creased number of laborers, at better wages
than are now paid, and with more satisfac-
tory results, because the workmen would
be under the immediate control of the su-
Terintendent, and therefore responsible to
him for any neglect Of duty. If his state
ment is correct, and 1 have seen or heard
of no successful attempt to contradict it,
why should there be any opposition to the
amendment in question? Certainly the es-
sence Of tthe proposition viz, cleaner
streets. ability to employ more men at bet
ter wages and at a total cost not to exceed
that now paid for unsatisfactory results
ought to find favor with all classes Of citi-
zens And yet l understand that de-
termined effort is being made to defeat it.
For one. and I believe my sentiments are
voiced by thousands of taxpayers of the
capital city, 1 say give the proposition Of
Senator Elkins fair trial. and then, il 1t
shall prove a failure 1t can easily be aban-
doned. To my mind 1t Is ridiculous absurd
ity to contend that any kind of work can
be done as well and cheaper by contract
than 1t can by day labor. outside of the
contract system. If one person can per-
form specified work for certain sum,
what Is to prevent a city or corporation
from doing the same thing, price of labor
and quality Of materials entering into the
calculations? When the contractor formu-
lates his bids, he knows that unless he is
the lowest bidder he will lose the job, and
hence, too, frequently, after the contract
has been secured, his zeal to do good work
by no means equals that used to secure It,
To bring any expectant profits, wages are
cut, poor materials are used and the work
slighted in every possible manner. And
right here is the vital point of difference
between contract work and that done by
city or government. The former is per-
formed with an eye on accruing profits
while the latter Is, or should be, prosecuted
with no pecuniary gain in view and no
object other than the accomplishment of
the best results for the money expended
1 can appreciate the objective point that
stimulated the fight against Senator Elkns
amendment, on the part of contractors be-
cause. IL 1t becomes law, all District work
may eventually be done outside Of the con-
tract system, but l cannot for the life of
me- comprehend the motive that actuates
opposition on the part of any member of
our national legislature: and will not be-
lieve until forced to, that any considerable
number Of them will refuse to record their
votes In favor Of SO fair and equitable
proposition. TAXPAYER
February 16, 1903.