New-York tribune., 1873-02-28

by the Controller against the Department, whereby
large portion OF its important abors necessarily
suspended and its working force unwisey ourtailed
Speaking the Boston fire, he says that the terrible
lesson delivered at Chicago awakened public attention
TO the peris an Demonstrated city, but 1t required
the more significant disaster OF Boston to fully arouse
our large cities q realizing OF the dangerous
folly and false economy any legislation which permits
the erection in densey populated districts OF any but
absolutely flreproof buildings Our immunity hereto
fore from similarly appalling calamity may be regarded
rather as Provdental dispensation. than due to any
particular wisdom or foresight OF our own
Referring reform building law bill G72) intro
duccd in the Legislature last session he says III is
ton OF such disgraceful commentary upon common
the attempt to pass the soeaed building law
nnssibe hereafter II may be also remen-
bered that but for the prompt aud determined efforts OF
the Department defeat aided by the indignant pro
test the prominent builders, architects, property
owners and Insurance ;companies OF NowYork. that
most infamous b would have become a law, the work
of woud have been rendered nugaory' an restc-
tons against unsafe building abolished, and the neces-
sy for a Department OF Buildings rendered superhu.
ous. The attempt illustrates the persistent
landlords. and ambitious eharlatans, to whom
building Go, mSs nw are no. Esn3y Esy to ""a Smn
ish in number improve In morals. and
let who may hereafter have charge ofexeGung building
regulations this class will be found in active enmity by
the lights OF the Boston fire 1t Is more easy to perceive
the dangers OF eghtnch party walls. wooden oornces
roofs, Mansards elevators, wehOes. starways COM
hustibe floors, aud unprotected windows No one
would claim that RECONSTRUCTED and worseyeDt tilated
tenement houses with inefficient hreescapes are saie
and but ew m the face OF w3uid contest tne
wisdom OF testing iron work Athoughl ~ nas
required overwhelming disaster to eperiect our educ
ton is pleasing To know that was not altogether Dy
our own msfortunes that we attained CONVICTION;
II Is more than Justice 10 the archccts ana ouuers
OF NewYOrk 10 remark that Notwithstanding the very
large alloun. %, sutS piIS SI aoI i ,oaarJ 20 6re
knowledge through the public press ia tegaru TO e
proof buildings since the Boston hre, that calamity
furnished novel facts TO competent architects nor has
Il developed anything whereby ther kao"l9aEEe Ji
the building arts has been advanced although
their r''' theories Had Boston been constructed
upon the principles which this Department has srenu-
condagraton OF that magnitude would have been abso-
ntely impossible. Nor do the facts furnish any argn-
fire proo city Among the last acts Of the
Gordon Bennett was to sign the plan and speGicalicns
offered for approval OF the Department OF Buildings Tor
the erection IN Ann, Nassau and Fultonss of really
9%ef Se and the
Metropolitan and German Savings Banks the Stdts Zei
fung and Drexel buildings and the New P0stOce are
cod rs examples of reproof structures II is mposs-
Bile in such buildings Tor fire 10 extend Tho contents
be set on fire even by extraordinary coDilagrations
around them, and block or city 50 constructed could
In contrast with such buildings he cites as being
within the provision. Of the present law and subject TO
costly structures the buildings in progress at the
southwest corner of Broadway and Fourteentst, on
walls but filed with forest Of comhustibe timber and
woodwork, surmOuuted with wooden root, really no
safer from fire within than the BrooSyn tabernacle or
Barnums Museum In regard to the results OF the
increased safety OF life and property and the improved
architectural appearance OF the city He says: "
urge the Importance OF efficient and comprehensive
building law as clear, full, and precise In detail
architectural experience make H. with It's require
ments enforced by commission OF skilled architects
and builders, whose decisions should be final Snperin
endens, Deputies and Inspectors should be required
to pass rigid examination as to aaaIncatl1ns Ny
operation in London Paris and other cities
Europe and there nothing IN tue most minute de-
tails OF their most stringent law that IL not the result OF
wisely omitted IN regulating the erection OF modern
city. After detailing the system of London. which is
sefsustainns he says. do not suggest the self sus
taInng feature nor am ! prepared from any personal
In regard the existing building law e states: 1t
proper while referring for oorroboraon to previous
provisions In regard construction details now
stuted be regarded as the slow and gradual pro
duct OF 10 years OF experience and legislation Each
section has been carefully prepared ana approved ny
perfected IS good as any IL Is not therefore, new
building law need, but few important amendments
calamity at the Fifth Avenue Hotel and several similar
ones attended with lcsi OF life by sntocation In
swarm tenement houses. and 100000 nightly
sleep the hotels Of NewYork, he says; 1t Is self
evident proposition that IL the sleeping inmates OF burn
ing buildings not awakened In time no dire escapes
however efficient and Ingenious could ayaii them. Inc
the invention OF somo efficient fire alarm whereby tue
apPHe or SheTwe be in some measure
He the Importance OF "a amendment IN regard 10
the duties Of the department those of tho Board OF
Health The proper time, he says to provide suitable
which should DO solely under direction OF the super
intendents Of Buildings: Speaking OF the Mansard roof
to which the Boston IRE has apparently Impaired new
and pected terrors he says, from the testimony
OF experts who witnessed that fire, 1t is certain
that ito fearful and rapid extension was due more 10
thin party walls, unprotected Windows and wood cor
There has not the slightest doubt ever existed IN
the minds OF good builders where that all valuable
buildings and Others In donsely populated districts
should be 6 5 weUy d After
dangerous evils OF wooden starways, well-holes, and
elevators, and demanding stringent law requiring
them to be fire proof in a buildings four stories in
hight he adds IL Is certain that the most stringent
regulations In the hands OF the most competent officials
as ~ the construction OF badngs prevention OF yio
laons. would be imperative unless some absolute 20
lice power granted to the ocers 10 enforce ther
large proportion OF the vexatOns and difficulties OF
the Department have emanated from the inehcency OF
the In this respect ana he cites number or cases
exhibiting the nconceivsbe folly OF permitting courts
Department. "A point he presses stu more strongly s
"The manifest Injustice. not 20 say folly. OF framing
laws by which Department may arrogat9 au
thorty to dictate, manage and Determine. upon any
pretese reasonable or Otherwise the conduct of other
Departments OF the City Government or at his caprice
or pleasure hinder and retard public work The Con
has assumed this attitude apparently without law, aud
certainly. contrary 70 justice or public interest
ment Of Buildings wherein architectural aud meclan
cal knowledge are required, as mere bureau In the
cations are needed the report closes as follows:
"Under all the circumstances, t viii be perceived
with satisfaction to myself In accordance with VIII
believe TO be public interest Tho duties aud
nen require skilled mechanics and of inte
andeporgy and suoh persons command and merit ny-
vanoing Importance Of the Department demand an In
than dimnisned force, aud trust that
wise legislation will utterly ropudste aud expose all
fanaca protenso OF ooonomy. and, With building law
bureau, bureau Of buildings with power e. enioros it,"
The following tabular statements are embodied In tho
rl,,. AND srscrroArros, sos nav srttOIsas
ssontsd i',,..;''''''' ss sarsi ste, ,, .''.