The times., 1899-08-04
MIR. sTUTLER SUSTAINED.
But There Will Be No Suspension OF
the Cleaning Confrnct.

1t is improbable that the District NUM-
cipal authorities will suspend the contract
under which Daggett & Dugan do the
sweeping OF local streets by hand labor.
They are Of the opinion that the contrac-
tors in question have violated their agree
ment at various times since the beginning
of the present fiscal year which started
July l. They agree furthermore that they
would have the right to suspend the agree
ment we're they SO disposed but, they do
not seem to have the disposition to take
such radical action at the present time
Daggett & Dugan will undoubtedly be
permitted to continue the work of hand
sweeping. Final action on this matter will
be taken today.
District Commissioner John W. Ross,
who is in immediate control, of the local
street and alley cleaning department, spent
the greater part of yesterday preparing a
statement of the recent controversy as he
understands it. This resume will deal quite
fully with the features of the differences
between the District Superintendent of
Street Sweeping. Warner Stutler, and Dag
gett Dugan. 1t will conclude with the
recommendations on the subject. Commits
sioner Ross informed Times reporter last
evening that his statement would be COM
pleted this morning
In brief" he asserted 'it will sustain
the charges of violation of contract which
the superintendent made against the con-
tractors. and will state that the Commits
sioners. in my opinion. have the right 10
and would be warranted in suspending the
contract if they were so inclined. How
ever, in view of the fact that the contract
ors have only been in charge of hand
cleaning under the present agreement since
July l. and that they. moreover, have sig
nihed a willingness 10 sweep the streets as
we desire they should do. viii recommend
that they be permitted to continue doing
the work, thus affording them ample op-
portunity to live up TO the specifications
prepared by the Commissioners and en-
bodied in their agreement with u.s.
The difficulty with the contractors grew
out of the charges which Superintendent
Stutler recently filed with Commissioner
Ross, alleging that they failed to clean GER
tain streets properly, that they did not pay
their men promptly, that their workmen
were compelled TO do more than a mans
work in day, and that they were required
to purchase groceries and other articles
at a store conducted by the contractors
Shortly after these allegations were made
the contractors presented a statement te
Commissioner Ross denying every charge
Superintendent Stutier thereupon prepared
a second report, in which he submitted ad-
ditional data tending to bear out his first
charges, and the Commissioners finally de-
termined upon a conference at which they
would listen attentively to both sides OF
the question.
At this conference Judge Jere NJ. Wilson
represented the contractors and the testi-
mony OF the foremen and inspectors of the
District as well as those employed by tht
contractors. was heard. The action which
the Commissioners will take today ant
which is forecast in the interview with
Commissioner Ross. will be based on tn,
statements made during this hearing.