Evening star., 1899-04-11
Northeast Citizens Adopt Resolution
Concerning Public Construction.
FAULTY WORK ON SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Local Railway Matters Brought Be-
fore the Association.
MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOL

Inc NOrtnedSt w as illIlS toH >iIiLohS AS-
sociatIon held a meeting last night which
was well attended. and matters Of interest
to the citizens of all sections of the Dis
trict were discussed. The question of al
legged faulty work in school building con-
struction came before the association and
resolution favoring a change in the
method of constructing the buildings was
passed.
Secretary Sowerbutts said he had recelVeu
a letter addressed to the association from
the carpenters executive board, calling
attention to the recent alleged scandal in
connection with the construction of school
buildings He said the carpenters suggest
that the Commissioners have the public
schools and other buildings built by day
work instead of by contract.
Mr. Cohen said he was member of the
Central Labor Union, and he thought he
might be able to throw some light on the
question What Is aimed at, he said is to
have the buildings erected by union men
The union men, he said, are anxious that
members of labor unions be employed on
such buildings and that the contracts be
not left to the lowest bidders. Some of the
contractors, he declared, bid so low that
they are unable to employ competent men
and furnish the proper material.
Mr.. Colvin said he could not understand
why there should be any action taken II the
government has the proper inspectors on
these buildings he could see no reason why
there should be improper work done.
DR.. Kirby was opposed to the ASSOCIATION
taking any part in this matter, so far as
the question of labor was concerned. Tor
no matter what action is taken SOMEBODY
will be offended. Personally ne Favored
helping the workingmen.
President Tucker referred to the troubles
that the District Commissioners had ex-
perienced in the construction of school
buildings. He said he favored helping the
laboring men. Cheap labor. he said, cannot
be expected to do good work
Secretary Dows' Letter.
The letter, which was written by Secre-
tary Robert Dows of the carpenters exec
utive board. was as follows
Il have been instructed by the carpenters
executive board of Washington to call your
attention to a matter which we believe to
he of vital Importance to all citizens of the
District. VIZ: the poor construction of the
different school buildings within the Dis
trict of Columbia.
LAS you are no doubt aware. it has just
come to the notice of the public that sew
eral school buildings in the District that
have been but recently built have been so
badly constructed as to be almost unfit for
occupancy. When We take into considera-
tion the large amount of money spent upon
buildings of this character. the burden upon
the taxpayer, the unsafe condition of these
buildings 1t is indeed a very serious mat
ter for every citizen to consider.
I'VE would like to call the attention of
your honorable BODY to the means en-
poyed by the District government in their
methods of construction of these particular
buildings. The District has been in the
habit of letting the buildings out to the
lowest bidder. The bidders. being hampered
by scant appropriations upon the class of
work required, have resorted to the method
known as piece work-lfor instance. letting
nj n
such as the laying of floors. fitting SASH,
hanging doors. putting up waipscoting, &c.
These different parts are let out by the
piece. The prices paid for such work are
so low that no man can earn living wages.
and what few men are employed by the
contractors are paid the very lowest figure
that the men can be found to work for,
Consequently, it is obvious that the men
slight the work, putting in as few nails and
covering defects much possible. All
they care for is fer the work to hold long
enough for them to get their pay and get
out of the building.
We, as union men, are very glad to be
able to say that, to our knowledge, no such
bad workmanship has been done by any of
work should be done by day labor under
the personal supervision of a competent
carpenter or builder, who could give his
daily attention to the work.
THE District now pays a special inspec-
tor on school buildings 81 per day. What
has he been doing to pass such work? Now.
that money paid to a competent foreman
of such work would certainly be spent to a
better advantage ard accomplish better re-
sLtts. We do most respectfully petition
your most honorable body to use your in
fiuence with the Commissioners to have
such work done by day labor, at union
| wages. SO that all parties concerned may
get the value Of their money"
Resolution Adopted.
committee Of three, consisting of
| Messrs. Frizzell, King and Kirby, was ap-
| pointed to draft a resolution. They reported
| to the effect that the Northeast Washing
| ten Citizens Association is most heartily in
accord with the proposition of a fair days
pay for fair days work, and that the
| best method of accomplishing the good me-
chanical work so especially desirable in the
! erection of our public school buildings Is
| to have such work done under the super
vision of practical and competent mechanics
| by days work"
| ticipated in the discussion of the question
| and the resolution was subsequently adopt
| ed. The secretary was directed to send
! copy OF the resolution to the carpenters
| executive board.
| In Good Shape.
| Chairman Frizzell Of the railroad commit
| tee said he had no formal report to make
He had spoken to Commissioners Ross ant
| Wight, he said, and they had assured hin
! This, they told him, was particularly tru,
| of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Repre-
| sentatiyes of the company. he reported
! have been getting options on ground in tn
| vicinity of the present depot, and the com
pany seems to be in earnest in the matter
| Concerning the action looking toward tn
| removal of the tracks on the public reserva
ton at Delaware avenue and II street, n
said Assistant District Attorney Taggar
will be ready to go into court at any earl
| date.
President Tucker called attention to tn
accident at New York and Florida avenue
some time ago, which resulted in the kill
ing of horse and the destruction of cart
When common horse and cart or ever
common people are involved. he said, littl
attention is paid to the affair. He said tn
railroad company has been buying option
| on property in the vicinity of the passenge
and freight depots. This he said, looks a
| If the company means business and h
wanted to congratulate the association TO
this much.
Chairman Martin Of the committee o.
streets, avenues and alleys told of the ap
propriations made by Congress at the ses
| sion recently closed, and mentioned a mum
her of improvements that are to be mad
in the northeastSsection.
During the discussion Mr.. FriZzell re
ferred in most uncomplimentary terms t