New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-15

TO Keep pace with the demand made upon 1t, dcms"a
which, as the city grows IL daily ihcrea'eu u Ia poted
In reference to unsafe buildings, as wiz Nv nov'
much has been accomplished IN renoeriDS ,ne ,,,.
and although much sill remains TO be done great pr"
| gress has been made therein. III.
Attention Is called also TO the large number OF VIOLA
tions of which eognzance has taken during the
year. but rs the limits OF the city enlarge the duties ana
responsibilities Of the Department cores, In
so"s hv @ d r,%s s's aD to Ss s1f i.
enforcing the provisions OF the law and regulating '"s
| matters under IT, control. H..
ng the iast twelve months % stated ~ IRIS Mahng :"
an - 2Ol since the department was formed Inc attcn
ent or these safeguards against danger regard as OF
special Importance and affecting the public welfare
lhere0re In this particular every effort Is cODstahHy
made to impress upon both inspectors and owners OF
property the absolute necessity OF this measure PROVO
ing for safety in case of fire.
during tho year several instances have occurred QUIZ
reported through the public press) IN which NE ~O
undoubtedly have been sacrificed but for the means OF
In regard to hotels, proceedings have been Instituted
70 render them more secure In this respect and am
happy to state that, with exception, all tine owners
aud propretors OF these public buildings have Expresses
soon ~ the proper plan be determined upon which
VIII Insure safety On some OF the hotels may 10
| ACcIDEsTs.
During the year two accidents Of note have occurred
The first Of these, which took place June H. 1870 WASH
la OF building In process OF removal ON the south east
corner OF Second avenue aud Twentieth street Fortu-
natey no yes were lost and the cause OF the accident
was. that in tho demolition Of the building upon the al
Joining premises aud immediately adjacent thereto. ss-
hcieDt care had nos been proper protect the
walls OF The building In process OF removal, which oceA
building no. 335 Second avenue, Crushing ia north
side WALL floors, portion OF the roof wall Of Tho
an aS aS n Unsafe eondS ig Spo
notification of the accident proceeded to and I'D
all the dangerous portions Of the that had been left
standing and secured the building from further accident
The only other serious accident occurring during the
past year that which happened on the 18th day of
December lasthe fall OF Haes panoiorte factory In
Thrty-hth street, near Tenth avenue. Inc building
sacrificed. Tue circumstances attending tnis saA
affair OF too recent date to need an extended refer
remembered
investigation which followed. during the progress OF
which every effort made by the public press TO cea
snro this department it fully proved that blame
could be attached thereto and th ON the evidence OF
Of the most skilled and experienced mechanics IN
the CITY, In my opinion greater care should nave Deea
exercised the part OF the contractors IN baelng s
building. Under the law existing, however, without
power expt to suggest was ana am poweress To act
am of the opinion, however that II the building hsa
would not have taken place. as the material u-ed ia inc
work being prosecuted ia conformity with me pro-
visions OF the law. copy of the verdict Of me ccrc-
ner Jury rendered in the Is hereuhto appended
Verdict
l. The death OF Annie Hamilton was caused by tho
falling OF the building owned by Mr. Hale and punt ~
q We exOnerate the owner and builder from. ali
blame said building was put up according 10 law ana
built OF the best materials.
mend the Legislature tn so amend or revise as W MAKO
special provisions for all isolated buildings.
4. We find that the Building Departments have per-
formed their duties In this matter according 10 law
several additional accidents OF minor GOrtsnoc have
also occurred within period covered by TINS report.
which but for the precautions exercised by this depart
ment might have been attended with serious results.
One Of Them however is worthy OF special mention re-
fer to threatened casualty in connection with the prem
ses known Nos 3i6 aud 34o East twenty hird street
The circumstances are these At midnight yJ9ne TO- 100
was notified by Captain Cameron OF ~ Eghteentn
Police Precinct that the puuIlhss ia Pesliol htic III an
unsafe condition, being liable To fall ana requiring at
tentiOn. proceeded immediately to the ground, ana.
upon examination found that tue foundation wall IN the
cellar, supporting the party wal 1Hhs tne TWO h9u IS.
had given way and that the building was rs reported
very unsafe aud dangerous state Before my arrival all
the occupants OF the premises, embracing some tty
two families, had been removed, and We're then IN tina
without ming any notice the Office OF the departneut.
had begun 10 remove portions OF the MAN foundation
wall the purpose of making alterations therein Ina
proper supports had not been placed III position anu as
natural consequence, the entire structure was tOter
ing and likely to fall at any moment Win tue force
that could summon the walls were h red up ana oter
precautionary measures taken so ha, after te IA oFs
of a night the structure made secure anu the dan
ger avCrcd. | mention this circumstance IN order 70
snow the importance, when any change IL designed ia
The construction or alteration OF building that this
department should be notified OF the fact la the pre-
posed law referred to hereafter specIa clause
inserted providing for these cOItnsonclcs. which, al
though the measure may De termed npaly. Ia, Zen
safeguard against danger aud for the proper protection
OF human life. -
In 1862, soon after the formation OF the depart.
bmItngs in tie city, with ethe intention
OF so continuing Il That a complete record cord
ence Owing however to the limited force at my com.
mand aud finding that the work could not be proecuted
without negocng more essential duties, discontinued
n until time should come WHEN could be assured mat
the Sr labor Of "o ths DC description SP cannot be-
mated. for in addition to information obtmned
IA 10 tho number, character ami class or
bulldngs on the island, during an investigation
carried by competent inspectors all dee.s IA con
tho proper remedies can be applied under the pro-
Relieving Therefore that the period had arrived when
thorough survey Of the city should be made, and that
y informed in regard to the construction OF al build
ngs prior the passage OF the act creating H. IN Ooto
last recommended the work previously discontinued
Since this time it has been carried with diligence and
Dispatch until now at the date of my report 6Si build
Inc have been inspected. The survey Is being made
from the Battery nOrtherly and pursued Systematically.
the blocks being taken separately, and eacn DJiIdng
being subjected to critical and thorough examination,
when record IL made of its exact condition, with all
necessary facts pertaining thereto Upon each specific
obtained for record ON the part OF the officers engaged IN
inc woik: 6 Lof b OF OF and w' number o [
material used in construction ana or 'front.' material OF
roofing and OF c0rnice iron shutters, whether PROVIDED
or not; roofs and their description; questions re-
escapes trapdOOrs, scuteS and bulhnedds walls COPIED
or NOT ndependent or party thickness and depth OF up
Dsr NV VII STRENGTH of floors with The sizs OF
timbers and girders; also, whether hoors are
and number of families occupying tho buildings, method
OF heating buildings and the apparatus general safety,
statement TO the general condition OF the building.
All these particulars are required to he carefully hoed
and therefore, when finished the survey Will furnish
fund OF information which, for reference not only for
builders but for the public cannot fail To be OF The great
est value. When completed IL viii d. comparatively an
easy matter to continue the record Tor rs new bngi
are projected or old ones altered they can readily DO
assigned their place on the list TIE Work Is beng prose-
cuted rapid rate, about one thOisand p4dHSs per
month being inspected, and It VIII &c pushed Forward
with all possible dispatch fast as the capabilities
OF nly office Will allow without interfering ~.th other
more important duties connected herewith.
IRON BUILDINGS.
Tn presentiug nv annual report from year 10 year,
have at times made such suggestions IN regard 10 the
consruction of buildings in tbe city have seemed TO
ms right and proper. Iron being now extensively
used m bidng do not deem Il out of place TO express
NV views at this time in relation To this subject for
ainly no branch industry which has engaged In tho
erection OF buildings in the city OF NewYork during the
last live years made such rapid progress impelled
hy actual requirements that OF the construction OF
homework used in modern edihces. The ready
adaptation every style OF architecture aud it,
superiority in point OF strength and fire proof qualities