, 1873-02-06


proven enta In tie american Btylo Of building In
large cities las not subsidized with the immediate
interest which waa revived by the Boston fire.
New York ia developing Bpocfal concern In the
strict enforcement OF the building laws which It
now has. Heretofore, these laws could DO ,nodi-
tlcd by the Superintendent Of Buildings With
the approval Of the Supreme Court. As for
many yenra the Supreme Court Of Now York
City waa far from incorrnptibio 1t is not strange
that notifications have been frequent and to the
eorlouH detrimont OF New YorR's best intorests.
Governor Dix has recently suggested to the
Legislature that 1t shall provide greater safo-
guards against tho infringement Of tho building
laws. His proposition il, llnt tho responsibility
Of changing the law In every case
shall roat upon tho Board OF Fire
Underwriters, the Fire Commissioners and
Committee Of tho Anaoricau Institute of Archi-
tocts. This rule iR regarded with great fayor,
aud especially that part Of 1t which includes
Committee of Aro1liteots aa an advisory Board,
without whose consent thore shall be no dgpar-
ture from the protective laws which considera-
tions of the public good have suggested. 1t is
believed that the superior knowledge ind tho
professional pride which the archtocts have will
combine oprevent unwarrautablo infringements
of tho law.
II such course bo adopted, the City Of New
York will DO much better protected against the
erection Of aro-trapa than Chicago. We hayo a
building Inv, 1t is true, 30 far as tho dro-ordi-
nance passed since the conaagratiou Of 1871
places certain limitations upon the construction
of wooden houses within certain DISTRICT The
law iteelf Ia sadly lacking IN details, how
ever, and the protection Which 1t waR intended
to provide il seriously impaired by the practical
eyas!ons that are possible because Of this lack Of
"details. But our building law, such aH 1t is, pro-
yidos no other meanB Of enforcement than the
usual penalties which u,ay DO imposed for viola
tious. Therei ia no one whose especial husinoas it
is to seo that its provisions are uniformly OBJ
Aervod. It il probable that eight out OF ten Of
the houscs now III process OF erection i'll Chi
cago would, upon examination, prove to be de-
fertiye in somo requirements Of the law,-iu It's
columns, Its partitions, chimneys, or flnea. Tho
building permit once issued, no Que takes any
further otlicial notice Of the mattor,. and 1t III
only some fragrant violation, readily noticed and
feared by private citi2eua, TINT Ia liable to 10
checked. Tie safety Of city should not do
pend upon 10 blight aud insufficient an assurance.
No city III America needs a Superintendent Of
Buildings, or Building Inspector, 30 much Us
Chicago. Tho work OF rebuilding, now pro-
groeslng 10 rapidly, affords an opportunity to
make Nuw Chicago reasonably secure from
another visitation by fire, II the proper laws can
he properly supervised and enforced. Thcro III
no tax which would be productive Of 30 much
good aud none other that would DO 30 cheer
fully paid By sensible people, aa that which 1t
might bg necessary to add to sustain compo-
tent building inspection. ......
In connection with this matter, il is Interest,"
Ing to know that Air. Arthur Gilman, Of New
York, tg making somo practical experiments Of
tho French sty'o Of iiro-proof building, substi-
tuting sort of network OF wrought iron for
flooring, IN place Of the solid and costly boams
that are now generally used for flre-proof
structures iu this country. II l,o shall provo suc-
oogalul. Ae willpro7ide light and loxiblo frau.c
work Of Iron, capable oIf bearing an Immense
strain, aud at much lower cost. Tlis frame
work will he adapted to tho gypsum flooring.
1tr, Gilsmnn furthor recommends tho building Of
hollow walls, SO that plaateflng can be placed
directly on tho wallis Without tho intervention OF
lathtng. He estimates that buildings may DO
constructed after thIa design At a coat not more
thap is POI cont greater than that Of tho oral-