The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-30
BUILDING INSPECTOR.
Municipal Omcer Much Needed, Says
Architect.

Architect.
To THE 1NDEpENDENT-Readin the pro-
ceedings of the city council, in Tuesdays
issue of your paper, l saw an official had
been appointed, whose services our city has
sadly needed the past year. and will need
more and more as time develops our re-
sources and increases the number. size and
character of our public and private build
ings. l allude to the Office of building in
spector. No branch of the municipal ser
vice demands better qualifications and
ability of higher order in its officials
than.does that of the building inspector.
He should be man thorough acquainted
with the construction Of buildings. do
not mean by this that he should be good
carpenter, bricklayer, plumber, plas-
terer, or a specialist in any trade,
but do say that he should
have thorough and general knowledge Of
building from its foundation to its finish,
or in other words he should be one who
combined the knowledge of a master builder
with the qualities of sanitary engineer.
Not alone should he know when building
has been built according to the laws which
health and safety demand, but he should
have such knowledge of the details of
building construction as to be able to detect
any evasion or noncompliance with the
laws at the time it is done. that legal pro-
cess may be served on the offender thereof,
saving time and expense to the owner or
contractor, and unnecessary costs and
trouble to the city.
Residents who have lived here any length
of time. more especially those following
the house building trades. know how
treacherous is the nature of the ground in
those parts of the city which formerly were
placer diggings, but have since been filled
in with debris, sluice washings and other
Materials forming made ground, In some
places, to depth of thirty or more feet.
Below this ramify numerous tunnels dug by
the miner in his pursuit of gold. thus max
ing the building sites absolutely unsafe for
any building of ordinary size and weight
built thereon. The truth of this statement
is proven by some of the structures built
of Main street. The only reason that some
of them do not fall down or sink out of
sight is that buildings with stronger foun-
dations have been built alongside and as-
sist in propping them up Take these
away and they would not sustain their own
weight. Therefore, think in view of these
facts, a building inspector should possess
thorough knowledge of the former char
acter of the ground as one Of the require
ments for efficient public service. He
should a general knowledge of masonry as
used in piers, footings and foundations.
and the strength of mortars and the mason
ny usually employed therein, familiarity
with the sustaining strength Of timber and
iron us used in buildings, besides thor
ough acquaintance with the laws governing
building permits and structures built with
| in the fire limits.
To possess these qualifications, he must
be intelligent and have had large expert
ence in house building and be we'll recon-
mended by the local architects. In fact. l
do not think man should be eligible for
the Office without these recommends as to
his efficiency, for who are better able to
judge than men who make construction
their life study!
The Office of building inspector should
be non-partisan in character. An appli-
cant's politics should cut no figure in the
appointments nothing but his mental fit
ness and experience should be considered.
This becomes necessary if the city de-
sires faithful and efficient service in this
Office.
am surprised at the somnolence of the
architects and master builders over this
question. 1t vitality concerns them. They
must know that the greater the intelligence
of this official the easier their duties be-
come. A poorly posted official would Gre
ate no end of trouble and delay to their
labors and success.
Have not the dozen or more Helena
architects other names to suggest to the
j honorable mayor and council? Let us hear
from them in this matter. 1t will do nc
harm, and may be the means of great good.
Now your readers must not understand
me as saying anything against the fitness of
the gentleman whose name was suggested
by the mayor to the council Friday evening
last. He may possess all the qualifications
desirable in such an officer. Still, do
think the citizens should have proof of this
fact before the council ratifes by its action
any appointment to this Office.
| ARCHITECT.