Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-17
the UNsUzTAs sIE DssTN,Cr
HssIf5-SS:S.
Report ei she Building Inspector.

It was mentioned in last Thursdays STAR
that Inspector Of Buildings Entwisle had made
q report on the Columbia building, occupied
for offices by the District government also on
the buildings in which the health office and
police heaitiIarte are located, declaring them
all totally unfit for the purposes for which they
are used. In his
REPORT On THE COLUMBIA BUILDING
he says: There are twenty-four rooms in it.
four Of which are of fire-proof construction aud
used for storage of records. Seven of the rooms
are located in the center OF the building having
no light except from the small light wells, and
are therefore of no Use for offices, leaving but
fourteen rooms to be occupied The number of
persons employed In these fourteen rooms is
ninety-four. All OF the rooms except two on
the first floor. originally intended for stores are
of ordinary siZe-ayeraging 10 by 20 feet. In
these fourteen ROOMS are stored all the books,
maps drawings. measurements. receipts and
acquisitions. special and general assessment
books, in fact nearly ali the records since the
board OF public works was established and they
must be kept there on account of the vaults being
crowded This building was originally intended
Tor two dwellings, and is built throughout
with wooden stairways joists and partitions
The two stairways are too narrow to let two
persons pass each other conveniently. Several
OF the more important Offices are located on the
third and fourth floors. and the abselce of ele-
vators Is constantly complained of BY the great
number OF persons having business to transact
there There Is little or no ventilation proyi-
ded, and the air at times becomes so foul that it
IL necessary to open the windows. The only
heating apparatus consists of two smali-slZed
portable furnaces in the cellar. heating only the
halls and the two large rooms on the first ioor
all the other rooms being heated bS stoves or
CRATES. which makes the heating expensive.
compared with a general heating apparatus run
rgTf t~ae, .-sAl.
two small well-holes one in each section. ex-
tending from the second floor up. aud of yery
compustibe construction. would in case of fire
In an instant be envelopei i'm flames and in
such event the loss to the District would DC ire
parable and. with ali records being LOST. would
lead to- endless litigation.
THE ENCLOSED STATEMENTS
Of the chiefs of the principal bureaus show
the contents of their rooms AID possible losses
in case of fire. The water register states that
his ONCE contains the records and furniture.
that the rooms are dark and unsuited for the
purposes for which they are used having almost
constantly to be lighted with Gas. The records
contained could not be replaced if lost Their
value IN dollars and cents is incalculable as
there Is no data to which reference could be
made i'm case OF loss by fire or otherwise
Auditor Vinson states that the destruction by
IRE OF the contents OF his Office would be- at
tended With very serious loss OF papers and
records, the value of which he is unable to
state.
Assessor Dodge states that if his books and
records were lost by fire it would cause great
delay and annoyance in stating the amount Of
taxes due. and retsrd the collection for the COM
Ing year; that owing to the crowded state of
the nre-prOOf room in the back building all the
books mentioned are LETT exposed continually
He does not know how the loss could be calcu-
lated in case of fire.
The superintendent of property states that he
keeps IN bis Office the Journals aad ledgers of the
late board of public works. containing the origi-
nal Charges for material furnished the cOntrac-
tors; also the original acquisitions and receipts
for material furnished the contractors from 1871
70 1872. which are OF great value in the settle
ment OF claims The officers of the Court of
Claims are constantly examining the books of
that Office.
The collector Of taxes makes a similar state
ment or the troubles and delay which would
ensue rom the loss of his books and papers. and
nre or otherwise.