New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-22
WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS

. WHERE THE HEofONoIDADiNA :,
When the Madison-st. tenement was Durneu
and when the Grand-st. tenement-house Ien
of its own weight, there was universal CRY
of Indignation against the Buildings bureau
The same outcry follows the slaughter Oh the
fifteen innocent children in the Fourtn-s''
school-house. Certainly there is responsibility
somewhere. Tragedies like this are no longer
passed over as the visitatiOns of God. But IL
ia only fair to hear both Sides and Inspector
Rsterbrook appears to show that his depart
ment is actually unable to prevent such
accidents. With an appropriation last year
of $4,000 and staff of thirty-one
PERSONS it is, as he says, out OF the
question for the department to inspect all the
100000 houses in this city. Last year, ne
states. his inspectors reported 1,578 buildings
as unsafe, and examined 2,577 building plans
and 1891 plans for alterations. This appears
to furnish work enough for the staff under
his control Mr.. Esterbrook says: Let the
"Legisature give me proper sum OF money
"to do the work with, and l will engage to
"inspect every building in the city within
"vear. and make it as safe as the law will
"alowr
We should like to sec Mr.. Esterbroo ok taken
at his word. He has given two strong reasons
WHY the Bureau cannot prevent such disasters as
that of Tuesday-lack of money and OF power.
Our worthy legislators have narrowed the
proyince of the Bureau, made it simply an
appendage of the Fire Department. and cat
down its appropriations until it is reduced to
the pitiful necessity of pleading the baby act
in every time of trial. The responsibility for
Il. rnetc lopt
men who passed this local legislation at
Albany. 1t is unfair to make the under
INSPECTOR. John Riley, the scapegoat, although
he is not free from responsibility. His dlStric''
we are told, extends from Houston-st, 10
Fonrteenth-st, east of Second-aye. What
sensible man pretends that one person coulu
make thorough examination OF all the houses
in this vast district This should pe TAKEN
into account in considering Riley's reported
statement that he examined the scho0l-honse
after the fall term begon and saw nothing to
call for a special report. The Buildings
Bureau should be made thoroughly capable OF
nerforminr the service which the people
expect, and this calls for legislative action.
There is another aspect of the calamity IN
which the responsibility can be brought
more directly home. Tins Duhulns
has been used for school over
thirty years. Many teachers and the clergy
men attached to the Church of the Holy Re
deemer and the Society of the RedemptOrists
have almost daily seen these dark halls and
narrow, steep stairs, with their sharp turns,
contracted landings and hmsy ratings. Yet
no voice of warning has been raised. There
were the priests in charge of the school and
the welfare of the pupils, but they never
thought of the peril to which they exposed
their helpless wards. A mans first duty ID &c
| helm himself not to depend on others.
death-traps are permitted to remain, those
who build them and allow them to be used
should be held directly responsible, as well as
the officials who may be accused of contrlbu-
| tory negligence.