Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-11
TO INSPECT HOUSES.
MEN OF EXPERIENCE WHO SAY THIS
SHOULD Be DONE.
The Ordinance II Adopted VIII ihey
Claim, Insure Good Work and
Prevent Future Accidents.

The DISPATCH OF Tuesday last IN Its
report Of the Common Council meeting
the night before published an abstract
of the ordinance providing for the ap-
pointment OF an inspector of buildings,
which was recommended by the Board
OF Public Interests.
The ordinance was laid on the table
and ordered TO be printed.
Being DESTROYS OF obtaining an ex-
preston of opinion from those expert
enced in such matters a DISPATCH re-
porter yesterday procured the follow
ing:
MR.. G. I. Hunt.
This gentleman is IN ex-councllman
and one OF the most extensive builders
in the city. He said
al think IL is q measure to drive poor
men outside Of the city to build homes
for themselves. Ii, in my opinion, will
place an additional tax on builders and
will open the way to fraud. We are
already taxed heavily for water to build
with. New towns and cities encourage
building. We are taxed for that priyl-
lege. think the whole thing is in.
tended to provide q sinecure for some
one. II the working people under
stood the matter they would rise en-
H3asse against it"
40 CONFIDENCE n INSPECTION.
Mr.. r. H. Whitlock suggested the fol-
lowing:
make tho law right, SO as to plainly
require persons about to build to con-
form to certain requirements for the
protection of the public. Then give the
informant one half the penalty for a
violation OF the ordinance and the city
the other half. / have no confidence IN
inspections, because of the frequency OF
faYoriteism."
ORIGINATOR OF THE ORDINANCE.
Mr.. John +. Bell, of the late firm of
Bell & Bowles, said:
81 have been advocating such an or
dinance for two years. | think | was
the originator of it. ! suggested it to
Mr.. Campbell and ne introduced it in
the Board of Public Interests. While
there has never been any actual accident
from a building being put up improper
II II is well to guard against unreliable
parties if any such should attempt bad
work.
A SMALL ITEM.
Mr.. Creed T. Davis, who has had con-
siderable experience as contractor,
said II think the ordinance is needed.
The tax is so small in comparison to the
cost Of a building that it viii hardly be
felt. and it Is certainly worth something
TO a man to know that his house is put up
properly"
Ex-ALDERMAN ". II. PLEAsANTs.
"In the last Council. approaching the
necessity which existed for some super
vision in the building Of houses so as to
protect life and property, said Mr.. VII
liam H. Peasants, 81 offered an ordi-
nance providing for the appointment or
election Of an inspector of buildings,
to whom should be referred all plans of
buildings to be erected in the city for his
approval. In the ordinance as originally
presented no provision was made for in
speeding the plumbing arrangements. In
the ordinance as recently reported that
clause was inserted, and | think it ought
nov to be speedily passed and enacted
into law. The morning after | had
offered the ordinance received postal
from n gentleman living on west Broad
street stating that if | wanted to see tho
necessity Of the law | had but to como
10 his neighborhood and examine some
buildings then in course of construction.
This was but one of many who approved
the adoption Of the ordinance. ANY one
who goes much over the city can but see
that such an officer is required not only
as regards the lives, but the health as
well of our citizens. l am strongly in
favor Of the ordinance rs it now stands.
If in the future more rigid inspection IS
needed the Council can easily amend 1t
to suit the demand.
A PROPER MEASURE.
T. ~ IL. Ulo,,oo n EopIlar