New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-04
PRICE THREE CENTS
MR.. ESTERBROoK RESIGNS.
THE BUILDINGS BUREAU WRONGLY USED


DISAGREEMENTS WITH TIIE COMMIssIoNERs-" IN
FLUENCE " TOO PROMINENT.
The rumors that William p. Esterbrook intended
to retire from the Office Of Inspector Of Buildings
were confirmed yesterday when he sent his badge
OF office to the Fire Commissioners with the follow.
ing brief note:
Recent actions Of the Board well as the actions Of
Individual members thereof have convinced that my
without feeling degraded. therefore resign the Office OF
of Office
A few friends of Mr.. Esterbrook have known that
1t was his intention to resign more than q month
ago. on account of differences between the Fire
Commissioners and himself concerning the methods
of transacting business in the Bureau Of BuildingA
The Inspectors delay was due to O desire not to
leave the office before the annual report of the bu-
reau had been completed, and he also wished 70
leave the work Of the bureau in proper condition.
Fhere was violent discussion in the office Of
Commissioner Van COtt on Saturday between Mr.
EsterbrOok and John II. Sherwood. More than Q
year ago Mr. Sherwood was ordered to put fro
escapes on the Sherwood Flats. owned by him, ct
Fifth-ave. and Forty y-fourth-st., but he has not
done so. Mr.. Esterbrook sent another order to him
few days ago. An appeal Mr.. Sherwood's
part led to the scene in Mr.. Van Colts Office Mr..
Sherwood called the Inspector an official tyrant"
in the presence of the Commissioners and made
other abusive remarks. Mr.. Esterbrook cOntended
that the safety of some of the occupants Of
the Sherwood Flats would be i'm
perilled IN case of fire in the Railways He
pointed out that both stairways connected with tho
same halls in the middle of the sx-stOry structure
de also raised the point as to the power of tho
Commissioners to modify the order after the matter
had been given into his hands. At the request ef
Mr.. Sherwood the Commissioners said they would
inspect his building yesterday, aud they asked Mr.
EsterbroOk to accompany them. He gave reluc.
tant assent, but on Monday he wrote to Mr. Van
COtt:
Ibeg leave to withdraw assent TO visit the sher
toward me on Saturday such that do not care to
h H VIII not fs submit ta' to- He Sai sres eHs
the need Of reescapes do not trouble although oyr
in sS he Should
S as 1 an e SSass %y be- S Ss
solely for the public good without regard to the question
whether the owner Is my friend or enemy.
Later in the day Mr.. EsterbrOok received note
from Secretary Jussen, containing the following;
am directed by the Commissioners to say that 1t d
for them to finally determine whether re-escapes are
your attendance with them at the time agreed upon
The INSPECTOR showed the letter to one Of his
friends on Monday evening and said he could NOT
the public. 1t appeared to he the design of the Com
missloiers he said, to make the Bureau of Build
lngs place where political or other friendships
were to have influence modifying the just orders
of the head. MIR. EsterbrOok wrote his resignation
then, but kept il in his pocket until yesterday. He
went to the Sherwood Flats at p. III. and In
spected the building in company with with Com
| missioners Van Cott and Croker. He tnen pre-
sented his resignation.
A TRIBUNE reporter found Mr. Esterbrook at his
home, No. $50 East Thrtieth-st., last evening. He
seemed to be in happy mood. More than o year
| ago." said he, Il contemplated resgning on ac-
count of the great amount of work devolvirg upon
me, but postponed 1t from time to time IN the
hope of being able TO procure some needed amend.
ments to the Building Law. All my attempts IN that
direction have failed. The Bureau is now in az
| fair condition as can be expected
under the present management by the Com.
| missioners. They have taken upon themselves
| the power to make certain notifications of orders
| which they cannot understand the purpose Of be-
cause they have not the special education needed
| TOR comprehension of plans. but they still keep
the Inspector of Buildings before the public the
fused. to detail certain examiners 70 districts 10
| which political magnates reside. Threats
| have come to my ears that such re.
fusal my part would be punished
by humiliation of some kind Recently eight ex-
aminers of the bureau were dismissed without
proper cause There are now more clerks in tho
bureau than are needed. III reductions in the ex-
Denses of the bureau we're necessary could have
told the Board how to reduce expenses without
cTippliUg the bureau, butll Was nor consulted in
the matter | do not question the legal right of the
commissioners TO run the bureau as they like but
their action may not he wise all the same. have
no personal feeling against the commissioners butt
could not remain In false sltlon and take resp0n-
sibiiity for what considered unwise or improper
actions"