Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-08-06
MORE TROUBLE,
BECAUSE THERE'S NO SYSTEM OF BUILDING
INSPECTION IN THIS CITY.
An Instance Brought to The Attention Of the Committee
on Fire Department Last Night-Ths Builders
League Moving in the Matter

At a recent session Of the Builders
League of this city, the need of some sys-
tematic inspection of buildings in this city
was brought up and discussed at consid-
cradle length, the members of the Organi-
cation, all practical buildere, almost with
out exception recognized the great ad-
vantage which would accrue to owners,
builders, workmep, etc, if there was some
sort of city Building Inspector, such as
exists in most other American cities,
where plans can be approved and filed, and
building operations subjected to intelligent
and competent supervision. The League
came to the conclusion that there ought to
be some such system here in Wheeling,
and appointed a special committee to pre-
pare an ordinance, to be presented to Coun-
Gil, providing for such city Office.
At last evenings session of the Commit
tee on Fire Department, this matter was
brought prominently forward, through the
action of Chief banning in stopping the
construction, or rather the increase in
height, of stable belonging to Mr.. Rob-
ert Crawford, in East Wheeling.
According to the statement Of the Chief,
made to the committee, MIR. Crawford
found his stable too low to accommodate
his purpose, and he began the work of re-
moving the roof, intending to raise it
about two and one-half feet. This work
was observed by some of the people living
in the vicinity, and they called the stten-
ton of Chief Dunning to it. He went out
and told Mr. Crawford the work could not
proceed, and stated 10 the committee that
he did not insist upon the building being
torn down to the height prescribed by or
dinance, but he, on the part of the city,
and Mr.. Crawford. for himself, agreed to
slow the building to remain in the condi-
ton in which the Chief found ii, until
Council could be put in possession of the
facts. The Chief added that as originally
constructed the building was higher than
1t should have been, but it had been erect
ed before he had BEEN constituted fire.
warden of the city, in company with the
Mayor.
Mr.. Crawford was present, and made a
statement to the Committee coinciding
with that of Chief banning. go far as it
related to the building He added, how
ever. that there had been other build
ipgs constructed Of frame, in the same
square, in violation Of the sans ordinance
uuder which the Chief acted, and gave
eighs cases in which the Ian had been VIC
lated.
To this Chief Dunning responded tbst
the buildings referred to by Mr.. Crawford
hsd been erected before he was fire mar
shal. or he certainly would have objected.
Preceding the Chitf called attention to
the unsatisfactory condition of the
law as ct present of the city
ordnance book. He sold there
was no supervision exercised by the city
over building operations, and real estate
owners did Just as they pleased. The oolJ
way re had of knowing when the law was
being violated Was through cOmplaiot by
some one living in the ViciBity @: the OBJ
iactionable building, or by some cusnce
observation Of his own. There ought TO
be a building inspector, to whom al plans
should be submitted, aud whose indorse-
meot acd approval shoald be secured be-
fore anything could be done.
This view Of the matter was generally
endorsed by those present, and the whole
matter was referred to Council, Mr. Craw-
ford being instructed TO make out petit
ton, Incorporating the facts of the case
IL il.
The committee instructed the Chief to