The Washington times., 1901-10-26
AFFAIRS OF The DISTRICT.
The Settlement of Pavement Over
Sewer Trench.
The Responsibility for Damages
Rests on the COntTnctOr--A Permit
for Preaching: on the Streets Re-
yoI<ed - Houses Are Unsauitar..

2. u. Vinscn. contractor for the con-
struction of sewer on Street, be-
tween Sixteenth and Twentieth Streets
northwest, recently entered complaint
against the extra charge made by the Dis
trict for the settlement Of the pavement
over the line of the sewer. Mr.. Ninson
states that his trench was carefully
hraccd. and that the settlement of the
pavement could not have been due TO the
caus,s ascribed, hut must have been
caused by the presence Of the old brick
sewer which runs nearly parallel there
with.
A report upon the matter from o. J..
TagaHs. Of the Sewer Department. states
that the ttlinG Of the curb and pave
mont vas along he line Of the sewer
trench cut by Mr.. Vinson. These settle
ruents. he said. took place along the side
of MIR Wilson's work. and almost invari-
ably oyer the old brick sewer. While
the presence Of this sewer may have con-
tri5uted to the damage, Mr.. ingalls, is of
the opinion that under the terms of the
contract the contractor is responsible.
Paragraph Il Of the specifications, as
quoted by Mr. ingalls,. reads: IF any
pavcrnents be injured by the contractor
outside the limits prescribed by the
trenches the cost of restoring such excess
shall be charged against hlln and de-
Quoted from any amount due him
Mr.. ingalls, says that sufficient funds
are stiH in reserve on the contract TO COW
er the cost Of repairing the pavemcnts
referred to, and he recommends that the
necessary cost of such work be deducted
from the amount due the contracts.
David L. McComb Superintendent of
Sewers, in commenting upon the question
raised says:
The old brick sewer referred to by Mr..
ingalls, was constructed about thirty
years ago and the pavement and other
surface work over il has been in good
condition for many years with no evi-
dencc Of settlement until after the work
Of constructing the sewer under Mr.. Vim
sons contract. The injury to the surface
work was the result OF the contractors
operations, and according 10 the contract
as quoted is chargeable against his ac-
count"
These reports have been approved by
the Engineer Commissioner and the pa
pers have been forwarded to his associ-
ates for their action.
Some weeks ago. G. J. s. Hunnicut, of
I'll G Street northwest called the atten-
tion of the Commissioners to the alleged
fact that an Old man was preaching athe-
istic doctrines nightly at the corner or
Tenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
The letter Of Mr.. Hunnicut was referred
10 the Police Department. The preach
ing Of the old man was made the subject
of a number of letters written to Licuten-
ant AYniss. of the First precinct in which
several citizens defended the preacher.
and testified that his talks were orderly.
and that good order prevailed among the
little gather ngs which assembled to hear
him.
Major Sylvester. after having all the
facts before him, together with several
reports from me cmbers of the police force.
submitted the following statement to the
Commissioners. which was included in an
order transmitted to Lieutenant Amiss:
Il do not propose TO enter into the
merits of this controversy beyond the
question Of peace and good order. and il
would appear that MIR. Guy Is disposed to
make trouble by violating the proprIetles
ana the quasi-permisSiou to occupy the
public space You viii therefore inform
him that the privilege he has heretofore
enjoyed has been revoked"
This action has been approved by Com
missioner Macfarland and has been for
warded to the Board for action.
Burrel Edmonds. OF 142 Quander Piac'
southeast. some time age filed complIi:i
with the Commissioners against the pres
snee of stagnant water in cellars
OF unoccupied property adjoining his