The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-14

tltne OF It's present strength and cost. II
| is well-known fact that the use of rub
| ber-tired vehicles actually improves
| macdam, gravel, or clay roads by smooth
| ing them down, creating no dust because
| of no tendency to cut, while the proba bic
INJURY TO the tire is augmented by glass
nails, and the like, being encountered on
| smooth, hard. asphalt pavements.
I'VE submit that such section ought not
| TO become law in any wise affecting auto
vehicles used for private purposes. We
hold ourselves in readiness not only 10
| demonstrate the truth and correctness of
the propositions herein set forth, but chal-
| lenge the supporters of this obnoxious
| measure 20 show any good cause or suf-
| fcient reason for its enactment
The Commissioners yesterday granted a
hearing to a committee of laborers en-
ployed as day workmen who appeared to
present facts relative 10 the bill in Con-
gress to improve their condition. They
asked that the bill be approved by the
board. q
Sterling II. Hester spoke for the com
mittee, and showed that under the pres
ent system of work and pay the laborer
received only s5.Oi week. Mr.. Hester
went into statement to show the actual
cost of living, showing that n family of
three persons could not be supported on
the wages. The Commissioners stated
that consideration would be given to the
statements of the committee in the re-
port on the bill. In part, Mr.. Hester
said:
I'VE call upon you this morning. gem
tlemen, upon the question of labor. and
while / shall speak but short time, /
wish to say in the first instance that from
the beginning of this bill up until now
am glad to say that We have not held any
bitterness toward the superintendent,
the contractors or the foremen. They
have treated us laborers with all due re-
spect and kindness. There is no con-
tractor or foreman under whom we have
worked, in my experience of twenty-five
years, but who would if he needed more
laborers give me a job. Furthermore,
they all have said that they are willing
to pay us as much as the District Govern
ment will pay but kindness and due re-
spect will not pay house rent nor it will
it fill empty stomachs. Take the average
iaborer's pay. The Census allows five
persons TO every family. We make an
estimate of FIVE days in the week for
labore- on the average, throwing in all
holidays and days for occasional sickness,
and rainy days, making five days in each
week. Now, then we take a man working
for $780, he works five days. Now then.
o
cents for the woman, and and 2-3 cents
for the hearty growing little children, If
the man works the five days in the week,
Now then, we multiply that by three be-
cause there are three meals to give each
day in an average family; three times s
is "A, and three times "a is ~ cents for
the family of three persons. That is for
the board of thai family of three persons
for one day. We multiply " cents by z,
because there are seven days in the week.
Seven times - is s50s. That takes the
entire $500. and nothing remains, not
cent for clothes, not a cent for Doctors
bills occasionally.
Now, let us take 1t at the rate of s1.25
day. Five days in the week; five times
% cents Is s1.25. We multiply that by
four because there are four weeks in the
month. That is exactly s.. The average
house rent in this city is not less than IS
per month. ] called at the office OF Mr.. B.
II. Warner few days ago and asked to
see Mr. Warner. His clerk said he was not
IN, but said that he would attend to what
| wanted so l said, Will you please tell
me, II you can, the average rate OF house
rent which the common laborers in the
city pay?' He said: I don't know whether
| can answer that question. The average
laborer pays from s. 10 s25 n month. In
the cases where they pay s25 month
there are two or three small families in
the house. They all get in together and
make up the rent TO $25 among them.
said: What do you imagine the average
family paws: do you think it would be
safe to put 1t at so or $l2? Do you think
1t would be safe TO put it at S10? He
said Yes, sir Now there is the opinion
of one of the bes: business men in this
city, man well known, and a man who
has as many houses under bis control and
probably as much property as any nine
others in the city. This is the decision he
made to me. Now gentlemen. how is it
possible for man to pay S. month house