The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-06

and. without offending modesty. we may
say that II is and it will be more in
the future. large contribution to the
intellectual and moral welfare of the
National Capital. The sisters and teach
ers and all connected with the college
devote their lives to the work of educa-
ton, and for this reason. as we'll as the
other, which you viii pardon me for men-
uonlng. that We are a young and strug-
cling institution. relying entirely upon
the generosity of the friends of higher
female education in America for the car
ryinS out of our splendid plan | there
fore respectfully beg that YOU honored
siI, VIII give us rebate on a bill which,
uhconsciously 10 me, accumulated in
taxes to It's present enormous proper
tohs' ana that you will see fit also, in
your sense of justice. to exempt fifteen
or twenty acres of our present tract of
ground from taxes in the future
John II. Brinkman. Secretary of the
Central Labor Union, recently wrote to the
Commissioners In behalf of the organiZa-
ton, protesting against the employment
of convict labor in the work of improving
the city streets. Mr.. Brinkman cited sew
eral instances in which the convicts Of
the Washington Asylum Workhouse have
been employed in the manner indicated,
and he informed the Commissioners that
the Central Labor Union, in the interests
of organized labor in the District. pro-
tests against such competition in the labor
field. He states that such labor should
be given to those citizens of the United
States. who abide by the laws of the Uni
ted States.
The Commissioners yesterday, in reply
ing to the letter informed Mr.. Brinkmau
that the work referred to in his letter is
being done by convict labor in pursuance
of the following clause in the District APP
preparation act approved by Congress
March !, 1901:
For purchase and repair of cars carts,
tools, or the hire of the same and horses
to be used by the inmates of the Washing
ton Asylum in the work of grading and
pay of dump men needed to carry out the
work, SS,05o."
From the above" the Commissioners
say. lit can he readily seen that the ap-
preparation is not available for the hire
Of labor, except that of dump men, and
the office Is careful to secure other than
convict labor for these positions. Not one
penny of any appropriation expended
under the supervision of the Commission
ers with the exception named above, Is
paid out on account of convict labor.
The work done by the chain gang IL
entirely over and above the work accomp-
lished under the appropriations provided
by Congress. If their labor were not uti-
liked. the work would simply go undone.
Their employment does not diminish by
penny the funds available TO pay for labor.
What they do is in addition to what would
be accomplished otherwise. IL the service
of the chain gang were not untitled the
appropriation for the purchase of carts,
tools. etc. for their use would simply
lapse, the dumpmen would be deprived OF
their positions. and the makers of the
needed implements would lose a sale which
they would otherwise make.
The Commissioners are without author
lty 10 use the appropriation in question In
any manner other than the present one,
and If ii is not so used it Will simply
result in the expenditure of that much
less money. the citizens being deprived of
the improvements whic' its use would Sc
cure"