The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-18
AS TO THE ELEVATORS.
Inspector Hopkins Gives Some I'm
portant Information.
BETTER LAWS ARE NEEDED
He Has no Authority at Present to Com
pei Owners of Buildings to Repair
Elevators or to Order Them Closed
Good Suggestions.

Inspector of Buildings Spencer Hopkins
sent the following communication to the
Board of Aldermen this afternoon:
Aldermen
GENTLEMEN-A communication received
by your honorable body Feb. IL, 1892. from
w. H. Palmer, NJ. d., was referred TO the
inspector of buildings. The reference of
said document TO this department is not
accompanied by a request TO examine and
report that your honorable body may have
IA more complete understanding of the sit
uation of affairs. / beg leave to return
the communication with the following re-
quest:
/ find that the writer's complaint re-
garding elevators is confined principally
under two heads, defective construction
and incompetent attendants. Owing To
the mechanical arrangements, appurte-
nances ana workmanship employed to
fully complete a passenger elevator a va
riety of things might be brought forward
to show that il was defective in construc-
ton In the referred communication the
principal cause of complaint under this
head was not that elevators were not pro-
vided with doors or gates, but that
said doors or gates were not
provided with proper fastenings and
could be opened 10y persons outside Of the
elevator shaft Where such exist, il is
struction as it is to negligence on the part
of those whose duty IL is To look after and
keep in repair the buildings where such
elevators are located.
In the running of elevators the attend
ant is, with but few exceptions, boy or
an old man who has passed the active
years of life. Such persons are no doubt
employed for two reasons; first, on the
score of economy, and secondly, because
there are but few men who are well,
strong and able bodied and thoroughly
competent in every particular who would
be willing 10 confine themselves to the
dull routine and monotony connected
with such an occupation.
The remedy for these and other dangers
connected with elevators lies in the enact
ment of laws which will, as fara possible,
cover any case that may arise. The es-
sentials of such law should be placing
the liability upon the owner and giving 10
the official who has this matter in charge
power To close from use until repaired any
elevator which is in any way dangerous to
human life.
In the new building law which is now
pending In the General Assembly several
sections are devoted To elevators, which
under the light of recent events might be
so amended rs would materially strengthen
them i'm their action. AS further answer
TO this communication would refer To n
communication of mine to the city coun-
Gil, Feb IL, 1850, and 60 facts presented in
my annual reports, m IRE especially that
OF the past year.
SPENCER HOPKINS.
Inspector Of buildings.
The communication of 1886 referred TO
the accident at the Gorham Manufactur-
ing Companys works, i'm which Mr.. Hop
kftfs permitted ottt tfrtt he md no urtuHt au
thority. That Section - of Chapter 6sS
of the public laws has not been repealed.
and takes precedence OF Chapter $40
Mr.. Hopkins says that elevators should
be provided with doors which would not
allow the elevator 90 move until they are
closed. This would have prevented am
accident like the one at Gladding's store,
where woman jumped out Of the ele-
vator while it was in motion.