The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-16
BUILDING PERMITS TALK.
PRESIDENT MADDEN GIVES A HIS
TORY OF THE DEPARTURE
Adopted to Bring System and Impart In
formation of the City's Growth-The
Speers Case the First Out of &c, 900 to
Create Howl and Fight.

The council meeting Thursday after
noon raised another breeze and brought
out point that the enemies of the Tax
ing District would light on to with both
feet and howl "Corruption!"
1t came about during the discussion OF
the Speers building, on st. Martin street,
and the prevailing method OF issuing
building permits.
There appears to DO no law governing
building permits, further than that they
shall be issued by the board of police and
fire commissioners. AS is generally
known, blank applications have been
made out and printed for distribution to
those who desire them. When filled out
by the applicant they are handed in either
at the Taxing District office or presented
TO the chief Of the fire department. Upon
the face of the permit must appear the
location, character and cost OF the work to
be done. Should it he of kind up TO
requirements IL goes through without
any difficulty from either authority. II
doubtful, and within the fire limits, il
undergoes all the red-tape mancuves in
Guiding the council, and stands good
chance OF being thrown out.
1t came out in meeting yesterday that
the whole business had degonerated into n
sort OF looseness, laying the commissioners
liable without giving them chance TO
protect themselves. An ArPEAL reporter
interviewed President MADDEN after the
meeting adjourned, and learned why the
departure was made from rock-ribbed reg
ulations:
About one year after came into office,
was iorcibly impressed with the absence
OF anything like system in this branch OF
business. There was absolutely no record
kept, nothing TO show what had been or
what was being done; then, too, ! was APP
preached daily by people who wished TO
learn how the city was growing, and sug-
gcSted that some system be introduced
whereby this information could be kept in
convenient and easily accessible form. |
saw the wisdom of these suggestions, aud
those printed applications werc adopted.
In addition opened book showing date,
party 10 whom issued, and amount inVoy.
ell whenever one was issued. As the city
began TO rise and forge ahead, the demand
was very heavy, and entirely too much
30 TO burden tho engineer II was then
brought over 10 my office, and the chief OF
the fire department called in 10 cnlightcn
me whenever necessary. Being an OK
pert in that line, he was gradually given
authority TO issue permits OF himself.
True, il is proper for the engineer TO pass
upon them, and whenever anything large
comes mp tho party presenting it is in
structed to lay his plans and specifications
before that official. Perhaps Il would be
better for the board 10 pass upon every
one, and in future you may wager that Il
will DO done"
Have you performed the duty imposed
upon you as committeeman 10 INSPECT
the Spoer building" the president was
asked yesterday.
Yes, thoy can always RELY upon me 10
do that, II am only given time enough"
was the reply. 81 went down this morn
ing. and suppose the other members did
likewise"
Have you ever encountered such diff
cultios rs seem 10 have arisen In this case
with other permits?'
"Ncver. Out Of fully 10000 issued this
Is the first one 10 he mentioned, though
not less than 500 have been arrested for
falling 20 live mp 10 the terms upon which
the instrument was issued. II Il no new
thing for halt 20 DO called, and in many
cases the work had TO bo done over"