The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-22
Why the Building. Department Has Be.
come Intellectual

Of. He has been builder for himself others, an
architect mason. and knows at once a house
be constructed upon well established principles. It
belonged to New York to demonstrate how million
of people could live upon the borders of filthy
streets and avenues and yet be patient or even
happy. But 3 still greater trial appears to await
them. II the opinions of astute builders are to be
believed q time is when house after house now
erect and new must becondemned by public opinion
by the laws of nature. and either be frag
,nsuts or fall of inherent weakness,
NO ENFORCEMENT OF LAW.
There are building laws in existence which were
intended to protect the city from the reckless greed
Of spectators. to prevent the possibility Of spread
ing confagrstions and to serve the health and COM
fort Of the people. There is also Building Depart
ment created and paid for the simple execution Of
these laws. How well that duty is performed was
lately instanced in the fall Of the Duffy fronts upon
Third avenue. whole series Of defects were pub
lished In the HERALD, showing how widely those
buildings deviated in their mode Of construction
from the rules OF safety laid down by the Building
act. Communications followed from citizans Of the
upper wards clamoring for the exposure of whole
system Of false construction in their part of the
Island, but there was not word Of denial
or of explanation from the owners of the Duffy
shells, from the Department Of Buildings whose
reputation for honesty and efficiency at stake.
Instead of this. as the reporter has learned from
subsequent visits, those brown stone front sepul-
chres are going forward to completion just as they
begun and presently unwilling citizens will be
asked to risk their lives within them and pay for the
privilege. From such examples not few people Of
the city have grown apprehensive. They say that
legislative action is needed to check the spread
OF an evil already grown great by what it
fed on. Building has been unusually active
In ha neYt for in1r me- diata
action. Not long ago an agitation was begun
corning the health and safety OF people in tene-
ments, which resulted in the passage OF tenement
act in respects to be faulty but taken
for I'LL in al safeguard for the city and blessing
for the poor. One change that will soon be urged
in the tenement law concerns the construction Of
window shafts running down through party walls,
room to room and floor to floor. 1t IL suggested
that the window shafts should be divided by at least
the party walls in their entirety and usefulness.
WHAT THE LAWS ARE WORTH.
The building laws were passed originally by the
Legislature OF 1856 They were slightly modified in
1867 and 1868. but in 1871 the different acts
duced to and amended in very important par
ticulsrs. There is much difference Of opinion upon
the value of the amendments, aud gentleman who
is conversant with the subject remarked to the re-
..The amendments were passed, In my opinion.
simply to add to the patronage Of the Building
Department. The consequence is number Of
Inconsistencies in the law as 1t now reads. These
stands. am satisfied the law would prove IN
building Buildings p would enforce Il. The department has as
been tempered with by politicians until 1t Is almost
irredeemable. In 1874 an amendment to the
amended act was passed. confirming the then
acting superintendent in office and increasing hts
sartGer divided the into three
bureau of inspection. one OF violations aud appli-
cations aud third of tire escapes and iron work
This added immensely to the red tape Of the depart
ment, increasing its expense and. Of its useful
political machine. Every member OF the
Assembly must be accom- oda ted with one or two or
three appointments in the Department OF Buildings
Either old employee who has learned to be useful
must go out to make place for the new conner or
both retained. and when tho appropriation runs
short the good inspector or clerk must accept re-
duction in his pay to support the needless additions
to the roll 1t happens frequently. indeed that
the political candidates Sor employ ment inspectors
incapable Of passing examination by the Board
OF Examiners. aud forthwith they 60 upon the pay
roll clerks. Then for months they may be trans
ferred back and forth from one department. to the
least tor This is the reason why many more
clerks than inspectors are found in the employ Of
the Building Department. Surely IL they need any
addition their force Ia to the sta Of inspectors
The politicians have done all this for the Depart
ment Of Buildings. II u newly elected member of
Assembly IL refused employment for one OF his
henchmen 1t only remains to Introduce bill ID
some way affecting the department. and that settles
it,
but surely the department. could not overlook
the Of buildings In direct violation of
the building lawsf"
"puBLIc SAFETY AND PUBLIC GOOD"
"Wait moment" the gentleman answered; "that
requires explanation. Among the notifications OF
the power of the department to pass upon the
Of construction. and saying:--'It shall also
have discretionary power upon Implication thore-
for to modify or vary any OF the several provisions
of this act to meet the requirements OF special
where the same do not conflict with the public
safety aud the public good SO that substantial Jus
tice may be DONE You can how the
Board of Examiners may permit q building
to 40 up IN non-accofdance with the
letter of the law. In other words this
intelligent Legislature of 1871 after passing thirty
sections to define the precise methods OF building re-
CURED by the public safety adds another section in
which they delegate their wers to board of four
examiners AS understand il the Legislature is the
only law making authority in the state and have
yet to learn that delegate its power to any one
Again the language of tho section Just quoted ex.
pressiy stipulates for these changes-'When the
same do not conflict with the public safety aud the
public good.''
..Do you consider the erection of eight-inch walls
In dwelling houses consistent with the public safety
aud the public goodY' asked the reporter.
mo, SIR and any intelligent builder will tell you
sha I 10, Novv IN har. . a.