Evening star., 1902-02-01
PLUMBING BOARDS PAY
THOSE IN SERVICE FROM 1903 to 1898
PRESENT CLAIM.
Col. BiddIe, Engineer CommissiOner
Makes an Adverse Report Upon
the Matter.

Irwin B. Linton, an attorney for the mem
bers of the plumbing board that served un-
der the District government from July,
1895, to July, 1898, without compensation,
has written to the District Commissioners
asking that they request Of Congress the
sum of s10650 to pay for the services rem
dered. The claimants, according to the
statement furnished by the attorney, are
as follows: Estate of Samuel A Robinson,
$500; Christian Eckloff, s1575; Charles D.
Ball, late inspector Of plumbing, s1575;
Charles B. Cole. 81 .475; estate of James
Reagan, sl25; Thomas Humphrey, 1878: ].
C. Darnall, s1,575; William Koch, $1,000,
and T. V. Noonan, $3.50.
Mr.. Linton calls attention to the act of
Congress of April %, 1892, empowering the
Commissioners to make regulations con-
cerning plumbing. Such regulations were
formulated by a board, appointed under an
order of the Commissioners of March 23
1898, consisting of the members named,
with the exception of three. whose services
expired when the new and present board
was appointed by order of July 26, 1898.
Pursuant to that order, he states, the
following were designated as such board:
Samuel A Robinson, who served until the
date of his DEATH Christian F. Eckloff,
Charles B. Ball and Charles d. Cole all of
whom served until June 80, 1898; James
Reagan, who resigned in 1893; Thomas
served until 1898. Upon the decease of
Samuel Robinson and the resignation of
James Reagan the following were substi-
tuted: William Koch and T. V. Noonan,
both of whom served until 1898.
Meetings Were Regular.
Mr. Linton states that he believes the
| Commissioners will readily admit the JUS
| tice of the calm presented, and will recon-
| mend to Congress an appropriation of the
| 70 tha iya
| claimants He says the plumbing board
held its sessions, which extended on the
| average over three hours, at night after
| the prescribed hour for its members who
| held office under the District government
| had closed, in order to accommodate the
| evenings during the first year. He says
| the labor involved in the discharge OF their
/ duties was great.
| For these services no compensation what
| ever was received by the members of the
| board. but by act of June Is, 1893, tardy
justice was accorded to the surviving mem
bers, and the modest compensation OF $3Ol
! a year was provided for each member
commencing July 1, 1898. The claim pre-
sented is for the services Of the board prior
| to that time.
Col. BiddIe's Opinion.
Col John Biddle. the Engineer Commits
| sioner has submitted an adverse report or
the claim, saying:
Between March %, 1893. and June Is
1885, members of the plumbing board
served gratuitously. AS far as known
they entered upon the duties with full
knowledge that there would be no compen
sation and made no demur at the time
nor did they decline to serve, which the,
had a perfect right to do. The Office ha
accepted their attitude In the matter al
outlined by one of their number Mr.. c. B
Ball. who in his report for 1895 states tina
| The members of the board have thus IA
| received no salaries. but have devoted thei
time and energy to this service as a con
tribution to the cause Of sound govern
ment and progressive sanitation"
Their public spirit In the matter wa
| highly appreciated by the office. and 1t Il
believed chat 1t should remain In the statu
| in which II II stated that 1t was rendered
| and In which It was received. II It wer
not rendered in the spirit stated It woul,
seem strange that the parties interests
] ehould have waited % long to put in
claim. Three yearS and q half, howeves