The evening times., 1900-01-06
PORT WORKS AT MoNTEvIDEo.
a Financial Commission Has Charge
of the PuhIIe ImnroNement

of the Public Improvement.
United States Minister Finch sends to
the State Department from Monteyideo a
copy of the bill for constructing port works
in that city. as passed by Congress and
approved by the President. The principal
changes are as follows:
The President is authorized to expend
up to s1e,5O0, 600 gold, taken from the
sources voted to that effect. in the execu-
tiOn Of the works. The financial com
mission in charge of the work shall pas
the certificates issued by the technical ad-
ministrative office in gold, unless the con-
tractor accepts payment in port obliga-
tiOns. The commission is authorized TO
negotiate the placing of the port obliga-
tions within or without the country. uu-
der the conditions Indicated. also TO pledge
up To $1,000. 900 of the obligations. II il is
found necessary 10 provide funds for the
payment Of work certificates. or while
awaiting favorable opportunity for the
placing OF he bonds or TO guarantee the
contract; all with the permission OF the
Executive.
TIE technical administrative Office may
A00ut PRIV SlNudl ttEAluGdLtS, Two tnlrG6
the value OF which shall be paid by the f.
nancial commission. The provisional Ger
tticates shall represent the specified value
solely Of the materials OF certain import
ance accumulated in the country for the
port works. N this case the Contracto-s
shall declare, on applying for the certificate.
that the materials may be- acquired by the
state on the latter completing the payment.
The contractor who undertakes to carry
out the port works shall in no case have
right TO be indemnified for losses or dam
ages TO his installations and material, Of
whatever kind, or whatever the nature OF
these losses or damages. or the causes OF
the same, even in the case Of their being
produced by force majeure, or when they
do not arise from any want of foresight.
or from deficient means, or from misuse CT
those means.
Force majeure may be invoked only in
case OF losses. damages. OF pTcjUdiCcs
caused to works already executed or %
material in stu. for extraordinary acci-
dents the consequences of which IL had not
been possible to forcsee and avoid. The
contractor must report these eases OF force
majcUre 10 the technical administrative Of
fee within ten days.
The assignment OF revenue 10 the work
are made with the reserve that the cham
bers may authorize other financial opera
tOns pIefeTentiany guaranteed by these
revenues and with exclusive application 20
the port works already contracted. In both
cases. the product OF the s. 0JG. 600 OF port
obligations or OF the loans that may be
authorized shall be entierly assigned T. lte
construction contract"
An additional export duty OF 1 per cent
is also imposed. to take effect November
Q, 1899. Minister Finch adds.
The law has defects that viii be noted.
but intending bidders should not overlook
the authority given the President to modify
its provisions. The construction Of a port
here Is large undertaking. Probably Si5.-
uC0.COe viii be expended in the accomplish
meut Of the work. But the Government of
Uruguay is in earnest. and I believe the
port viii be built; I also believe the con-
tractors viii be regularly and promptly
paid in accordance with the terms OF their
contract
III NY Information is correct. there will
be not less than s.. .00O.0C0 to the credit Of
the port-construction fund by the time the
contract is let. even should IL be concluded
al tha earliest probable date after submit
ting proposals. say, four months"
The department has also received a
translation OF the new port law from Con
sui Swain. of Monteyideo. under date OF
NOVem Der IA 1899