Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-27
Second Charge Answered.


Commissioner Macfarland called the
morning session of the Stutler inquiry to
order at 1915 o'clock Mr.. Robinson. hav-
ing finished last night with the presenta-
ton of evidence in support of the second
count under his charges, MIR. Stutler was
asked to present his side of the case with
reference to the second charge.
Mr.. Stutler said provision is made for
hiring extra laborers and carts in order to
meet extraordinary conditions. With ref
erence to the District being worked for
extras by Mr.. Rusk. Mr.. Stutler said that
when conditions of the weather We're Such
that the contractor could not work and the
District obliged to meet extraordinary
conditions by employing extra labor on the
streets. men and carts We're secured of the
contractor at a fair reasonable price for
the force and tools.
In teStifying to the trouble Inspector
Boock seemed to have with the men under
his direction Mr.. Stutler said on one oc-
casion he learned al the time from Book
that when the men appeared for work one
morning he told them that ne did not in
tend to have any loafing. The inspector.
Stutier said. told him that he called the
street sweepers Jail birds. Witness said he
cautioned Book about antaSoniZnS the
men under him.
Mt Stutler declared that a number of
complaints made by Book about mean"
laborers were investigated and in most
ca seS the men We're discharged.
The ma jority of Inspector Socks COM
plants" said Mr.. Stutler, were about
little, trivial things, such as the merchants
at the market throwing cabbage leaf into
! the street All these little things were
| complained Of by Book and the merchants
protested against such proceedings l told
| Mr.. Boock to make allowances for unusual
conditions at the market and to use some
| tact In his dealings with the merchants
and also with the men.
Boock Became Angry.
"Boock became angry at my saying this
| and said he could run his work without in
| reference from me-
As to the hiring of extra men and carts.
! Mr. Stutler produced daily records show
ing the number of extra men and wagons
| employed and the reasons for their employ
| ment. For the fiscal year 1900 there was
a large expenditure for extra force abou,
| the market and for extra sprinklers. ac-
| cording to the witness.
| MI Stutler said work done by the con
tractor on unimproved streets in the years
| 1901 1902 and 1893 satisfactory. Out
side of Inspector Eoocks complaints the
complaints of the inspectors as to the
| character of the work, witness said were
| very few. Book complained frequently.
In reply to questions from Commissioner
| Mcfarland Mr.. Stutler said the merchants
at the market reported that Book annoyed
| them. He said he wanted Mr.. Book tC
| keep the streets clean and to use gooC
judgment in meeting conditions, instead o
merely complaining of every little thing Il
the superintendent. He said Mr.. Boo:l
| seemed to have unnecessary trouble will
| the laborers because of lack of tact. Book
he said. also had difficulty in understanding
| his orders and duties on account OF not be
| ing familiar with the English language.
| Relative to the inspectors getting the
money from the contractor and paying tn
latter's employees. Mr.. Stutler said as soor
as this practice was called to his attention
some time ago he ordered it stopped. !
ia a
mediation to the men and not for com
pensation.
Mr.. Stutler said that the contract 70
street cleaning provides that laborers shal
be paid S1.25 a day and that drivers o
dump carts shall be able bodied men. Onl
| within the past year or two, witness said
have there been any complaints abou
| drivers. He said conditions when com
planned of have been promptly remedies
and inspectors have Instructions to dis
charge incompetent employees. He had un
derstood that Rush paid his laborers 81 2
day. He said he had never heard befor
| yesterday that the drivers on carts wer
getting only 81 a day.
Commissioner West quoted provisions i
contracts Of 1900 and 1903 requiring driver
of carts to be adults.
DO you know, as a fact" asked Nj
West, that all the drivers on carts wer
adults?"
/ Were Drivers Adultsp
81 never had any reports to the cor
trary. Nearly all the drivers / have see
: appeared to be over twenty one years
age. Whenever l have seen a boy on TIL
carts. / have ordered him off and require
! that he be replaced by man."
Mr.. West asked II drivers were consider
ed as laborers. Mr.. Stutler said that
! did not know as to that, but that IL ther
had ever been any complaint about driver
receiving 81 or 10 cents day, he woul
{ have taken up the matter and have had III
| question determined as to whether or NJ
\ there should be any discrimin4 ton betwee
drivers and laborers.
Then you did not consider Ii your dut
| to see whether or not the drivers wei
8 | paid 81. q a day.. asked MIR. West.
d mo, SIR" answered the witness.
In reply to questions Mr.. Stutler sal
the inspectors were not given copies of I'll
contract between the District and the sire,
! sweeper. unless when same Is requests
The Inspectors, however. he said. are IL
formed as to the provisions OF the contrac