The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-09
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Thc Proposed New LAW for the Better EN-
nbrcement or the Fire Laws.

Vhc Proposed New LAW FOR the Better En-
fbrcement or the Fire Laws.
We publish below the law before the legislature
of the State in reference to changes effected
in the organization Of the Fire Department
It Is well known that the laws relative to insecure
buildings within the fre limits Of the city have been
totally dsregaried by builders and masons who erect
structures notoriousy insecure and such fireman
would risk his life in should FIRE break out The Hlss
OF our newspaper TEEN with evidences this point
and the great waste OF life that has resulted the
cupdity and careessness OF builders Ia sufficient
son why public attention should be distinctly fixed
on this matter.
To remedy this evil, the Board Of Fire wardens
twelve in number, was established, with power to
search out and report all violations of the law Az
compensation, the sum Of $3.50 year has been given
| them which has lately been increased to $500 with.
out rejecting all the Fire wardens, many OF whom
have performed their duty faithfully, IT must
be confessed that they have totally failed
to accomplish the object for which they we're originally
designed Buildings going up every day in utter de-
ancs OF the fre laws and steps taken to prose-
| cute the builders according to law.
For this state OF things two reasons are assigned
frst, that the compensation is insufficient no man
can be expected to devote his whole time employ
ment that poorly and second that the trustees
of'the Fire Department, who the only persons
authorized by law to proceed against the builders
violation Of the fire laws have or inclination
to attend to this matter. They obliged TO devote
much Of their time to the widows and orphans the de-
partment and their trust Is delicate one they have
arrangement with their lawyers to prosecute my
claim unless they assured Of bringing auccess
full issue They do feel justified urg az any doubt
u suit as it might involve the loss Of large in ti-
CATION, which would OF on the funds Of the
! department.
With regard to the first reason we have only to say
that IL the Fire Wardens cannot attend their duties
they should, honest men, resign their Offices and not
accept pay for work they perform. The second
reason, however, cogent one and points of
the great difficulties to the proper enforcement OF the
| laws
The law we publish this morning is designed TO reform
this whole matter and centralize the power of the
department as to effect thorough reform.
! 1t proposes to appoint three officers who shall be
known the Commissioners of Buildings. They must be
practical builders of at least fifteen years standing
They to hold Office for six years and will
salary Of two thousand five hundred dollars per
num- They win have power to prosecute all violations
Of the fire laws the Comptroller of the city furnishing
them with means to do So and whatever shall
/ be paid to the New York Fire Department
The number OF the Fire Wardens shall be increased to
sixteen and their salaries fixed at hundred and
fifty dollars per They will be required to devote
their whole time TO their duties and win act under the
orders Of the Commissioners OF Buildings. The way
conducted present the Fire Wardens have
TO that they perform their duty, and
| sponsblc TO no higher power than themselves
Such in brief is the law. We understand that the
matter will be acted by the fremcn and IL is 10
be hoped that they will recommend scheme to
remedy this great evil and protect the hyea and pro-
/ ferty 70 citizens.
Ee II enacted by the Senate and Az emily OF the State
OF New York as follows That within thirty days after
the passage OF this act the people Of the city New
YORK. shall assemble in their respective election districts
and shall elect three persons, who shall be known as
\ Commissioners OF Buildings.
, The said persons shall be nominated by that body
known the representatives Of the New York EIre
Department who shall assemble within hfteen days
to the said election aud shall then nominate six
that Office and the three persons receiving
the highest vote BY the people at the said election shall
1 be elected.
The persons so chosen shall be well kno rn practical
buders OF at least fifteen years standing IN the bust
in the said city and they shall before they are
sworn in present the Mayor Of said city credentials
least twenty-five established builders OF the said
CITY, stating they every way lalcd dis
charge the duties the which they have been
elected. They shall hold the Office for the term Of six
years and shall only be removed when majority Of the
body that nominated them shall present articles Of i'm
peachment to the Mayor and Aldermen OF the said city,
asking for removal in consequences OF undtness 'or Office
said commissioners shall receive salary Of two thou
sand i've hundred dollars per annum, and tfry shall
keep Office with the Fire wardens, ia some central
| part OF the said city.
In case OF vacancy by death resignation or other.
WISE the vacancy shall be filed in the manner
provided for tie preceding section OF this act the
election to place within thirty days from the time
the said vacancy may occur and two persons shall be
nominated in all cases where one vacancy exists.
No person shall hereafter erect any building In the
said city, OF any description whatever, make any
alteration OF any nature kind, that will in any way
conflict with the Bre laws any other laws IN relation
the erection OF buildings that In existence
that may be hereafter passed by the legislature Of
this State without the plans and specifications for the
said building alterations being first submitted TO the
Commissioners OF Buildings, which shall be carefully
examined by them and IL found to be such as will not
- dl a
in relation TO fires unsafe buildings, the said plans
and specifications shall be signed BY al least two OF the
said commissioners, which shall be considered permit
/ To proceed with said work.
The clerk 10 the board OF fire warens shall act clerk
to the commissioners, for which services he snail re-
eeye in addition TO his present salary, the Of i've
hundred dollars per snnum, and whenever vacancy
in the office Of the said clerk the vacancy shall be
\ filled follows viz the clerk shall be nominated by
the fire wardens and appointed by the commissioners
and the said appointment shall be confirmed by the
| Mayor and Aldermen Of the said city.
The Commissioners Of Buildings shau, immediately
after having been In, proceed 10 examine all the
buildings already erected that have been reported dan
br the IRE wardens OF the said city that may
hereafter te reported and they shall have 20
pei all OF said buildings 10 make such alterations
repairs that may be required 70 make them perfectly
safe for the purposes for which they shall b. used
They shall also examine all buildnns which shall
tain steam engines aud boilers large safes printing
presses, furnaces, any oAst heavy machinery, ap
pair the strength Of the building In which IL j. placed
and in case shall any Of the Aforesaid articles be
placed In any building without the same shan be exam
/ in,d by tim commissioner and permit obtained from
them tor that purpose, and they shall also the
powers in relation 20 stores other build.
ing that may be overloaded by any goods merchan
i disc.
/ The said commissioners 10 have power % prose.
cute all violations u any Of the laws in exist,
encs, that may be hereafter passed by the Legsa
ture Of this State in relation 70 res the erection OF
| buildings in the city Of New York.
And the Comptroller OF said city shall provide them
with sufficient funds for the purpose of defrsyng The
expenses Of prosecution Of the said violation from the
funds appropriated by the Common Council Of the said
city for county contingencies, and all money that may
be recovered from such suits shall be- paid TO the Comp
Tolsr Of the said city who shall at the end ~ each
year, TO the treasurer Of the New YORK Fire
Department fund all surplus money that may remain in
| his hands from such penalties,
Il The col m shali nos