The Washington times., 1901-10-20


against them. The company state that
considerable delay was caused by the ex-
cessive hot weather in the months of
June and July. and that the extension
was requested to cover the time lost on
account of the heat They also stated that
1t was their opinion that the charge for
inspection contained in the order grant
ing the extension of time was contrary
to the usual practice of the Commission
| ers.
The matter was referred to Capt. II. c.
| Newcomer, who at the time the order
| granting the extension was made was
| Acting Engineer Commissioner, and he
has reported confirming the statement of
! the company. and explaining that the
clause referred to in the order was incor-
porated therein owing to inadvertence
on his part.
| In considering the matter. Captain
! Beach, the Engineer Commissioner, has
made the following statement relative to
| the proper stand to be taken in this and
| similar cases:
u believe there is sufficient authority
! in the Commissioners to determine wheth-
| er the delay in the completion of the
| work was due to the fault of the con-
| tractor or not. 1t is manifestly to the
| disadvantage of the District to require
! that all extensions be made at the ex-
! penSe of the contractor, for so many con-
| ditions and circumstances interfere to
| prevent the completion of engineering
| work upon calculated time that il ii is
| understood that all such extensions must
| be at the cost of the contractor, the only
result will be that the prices in the bids
| received will be increased. as contractors
| VIII naturally fix prices which will pro-
| tect them under all circumstances. But
If they understand that the Office will
take equitable view of the cir
cumstances of the case, they will feel
| justified in submitting a bid for the
amOnDt for which the work he done.
and not include all possible charges,
| which they must do if all extensions are
to be made at their expense. The Dis
trict itself. in spite of all efforts, fire.
quently fails to finish work within cal
culated time. 1t is believed the circum-
stances of @shis case justify the extension
of the contract without penalty or cost
of inspection, and so recommend
The Commissioners yesterday approved
the application of G.. w. Harbaugh, in
spector in the Street Cleaning Depart
| ment, for an allowance of $40 month
for maintenance o. horse and buggy in
connection with his official duties War
ner Stutler, Superintendent of the De-
partment in reporting the request to the
Commissioners. said:
THE statements contained in Mr.. Har
baugh's applica ton relative to the terri
tory inspected by him are correct. and 1t
is believed that the reasons assigned Tor
not be required to use one A large part
of the territory covered by Mr.. Harbsugh
cannot be reached by car, and he is,
therefore obliged to walk. thus very Of
ten causing delay in attending to COM
plants, especially when 1t Is necessary to
visit suburban districts.
y. T. Kitzmiller. inspector In the same
class of work. who also has charge of
suburban sections similar to Mr.. Har-
baughs is allowed so per month for use
of horse and buggy. | would, therefore.
tf,,It, arod hat Ito
ance be made for Inspector HarbauSh. to
be paid out of the appropriation for the
collection and disposal of city refuse, be-
lieyinE that the service Will be benefited
thereby said allowance to take effect No
vember !.
Robert w Dutton. Chief Engineer OF
the Fire Department, has forwarded to
the Commissioners a report upon the re-
cent accident to the apparatus of chemi-
cal engine No. 3. at Tenleytown. 1t ap-
pears that while the company re-
spending to an alarm of fire two of the
horses attached TO the engine fell and
broke the two poles of the apparatus
the horses escaping with only very slight
Injuries Chief Dutton in his report said
after fully investigating the accident
which occurred on the first run of the
company, l reached the conclusion that
the foreman of the company. Thomas In
scoe; the driver, George c. Warren, and
We're Jointly responsible for the accident
Upon learning of my conclusion the three
men offered Jointly to bear the expenses
of the damaged poles, which will amount
to SIS and | respectfully recommend that
the case be so disposed Of"
The recommendation has been approved
by Commissioner Macfarland. who has
immediate charge of the Fire Depart
ment, and has been forwarded to the
Board for its action.
northeast, has entered complaint against
the position of the steps and board walk
on the premises at the corner of Four
teenth and Duncan Streets northeast and
has requested the authorities to correct
the drainage of Duncan Street. Investi-
CATION shows that there is no record of a
permit for the construction Of the steps
and the inspector was informed that the
structure was built to afford access to
the houses of J. T. Monkey. on Duncan
Street
The Computing Engineer, in forwarding
the Information to the Commissioners,
recommends that Mr.. Moxley be inform
ed that the board walk and steps referred
to encroach upon the parking. and that |
he is required to remove them. so that |
no part of the same shall encrOach upon |
the building line. 1t was also reported to |
the Commissioners that the defective |
drainage on Duncan Street would be cor |
rected when the grading that has been or
dered shall have been done.
The Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart |
ment today forwarded to the Commits |
sioners a report upon the case of Assist |
ant Foreman J. T. Brown, of Engine Com |
pany, No. II. who was summoned before |
the Trial officer charged with neglect of |
duty and found guilty. 1t appears that |
while running to a fire, there was Il fail |
ure to secure properly on the hose car |
riage what is known as the 'deluge set
and ii was so injured as to be unfit for |
service
Chief Dutton states that inasmuch as
Assistant Foreman Brown was
in charge Of the company. and was, there
fore. directly responsible for the safety
of the appliance. he recommends that |
Brown be deprived Of his days off for one
month
This recommendation has been approved |
by Commissioner Macfarland and has
been forwarded to the Board for its ac-
tion.
Joseph Hurdle recently wrote to the
District Commissioners complaining that |
the water had been cut of from premises
1853 Thirty-secOnd Street northwest. The |
complaint was referred to the Water De-
partment. and the Registrar has report
ed that premises 1889 and 15il Thirty-sec- |
ond Street are supplied through u single |
service pipe passing through l54l.
He says, further that upon the failure |
OF the latter place to pay the water rent |
the supply was cut Off, thus depriving
both houses of water. The rent was paid |
a day or so later, and the Registrar states /
that the supply has been restored He |
hnf ha ,I..sv