The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-22
THE BUILDING INSPECTOR SCORED.
SEATTLE IuIy d. Ia.

SEAITLE- july =. ~
To the EDIroR.-It is perhaps ofinteres: for the
public 10 Know little about its appointed
officers. Now, IS have been connected with
the Office OF the building inspector since May
2oth until July 10th, l believe myself able 20 de-
tail the doiugs in tina; institution TO some eI-
tent. On May 9th when the big change took
place, certain Mr.. ]. c. Helms was the lucky
one to get the office of building inspector.
Although he claimed twelve years residence n
this city, he is comparatively little known. and
were it not for his family being prominent N
the salvation Army, he might be still less
known Another thing that pulled strong in
his favor is that he is known TO our chief exeeu-
tive as not being a drinking man.
which seems TO be the only capacity required
to completely fl oftice. I was an applicant
Tor said office myself. but neither OF the above
mentioned qualifications made me popular
hence, failure-but a few friends were deter
mined 10 have my services recognized, and
through their Recommendation / was put on as
his assistant This worthy Mr.. Helms did
against his own will, as be had "a gentleman in
view whom he wanted as his right-haa man at
al ha. ards, SO he worked nearly weak TO
make the board OF public works believe that
third man necessary. A, last the board
consented, so he put on his man, named Tom
Nevins- Mr.. Nevns took charge of the Office
work under the title OF clerk, and I was put
around town as foreman.
Now let me state right here poorer specimen
OF clerk for the Office of building inspector
can hardly he found. as he is in my estimation
not any more mechanic than fence post, and
his illiteracy can be ascertained from the books
in the building inspectors Office. All this gen
tleman has 10 do is to issue about twenty or
thirty permits weekly, make out a weekly re-
por, (Which Mr.. Helms told me himself he has
10 write over 10 enable the board of public
works 10 read it), write few requisitious and
hat ~ hN,, fxrS D, bal ~
for the full week, at the rate OF $3.50 per day.
Permits are issued without examining the
plans or investigating the grounds, the ordi-
nance requires. The remainder of his time
Mr.. Nevius puts in talking politics and prac-
ticing writing.
My first work had to do outside of Office was
TO look up three and four story buildings as TO
fire escapes and standpipes, and found con-
siderable number either not at all or only par
TALLY supplied, and gave the owners the usual
thirty days. Mr. Helms told me not to serve
notice on Mr.. John Collins. as he had personal
reasons which would not justify him in doing
So NJ. Collins is not notified as yet On or
about June 1 reported to NJ. Helms that a cer-
tain house moved 10 sixth street, near Univer-
sity street, had the fireplace underpinned with
Shoot high wooden piers. but he pronounced il
all right and the ordinance rotten. Chimneys
in different parts OF town were allowed to be
put on wooden foundation or brackets.
On or before June ~ Mr.. Helms ordered 1900
feet of SX6 lumber for boxing in the water
pipe on Battery street, between sixth and
seventh streets. We needed actually only
500 feet When I reported this was told TO
keep quiet and try to get rid OF IL the best we
could SO the board of public works would not
find 1t out. Well, We got rid of it About July
we had piece of timber 6x6x2o left from
repairing Spring street slip which We had no
use for. Mr.. Helms gave me scolding for not
destroying il so the board of public works
would no. see it.
often complained to Mr. Helms lat some OF
the men working were incapable of doing q
days work, but he always guarded /: off by say
ing, to try 70 do tho best can; Tor one he went
security for grocery bill, the other earned him
a free psss TO the Consolidated railroad the
other was friend OF his, and the other
needed II.
Mr.. Helms found his long-looked-for reason
to discharge me at last, because the Sesttle
Hardware Company sent four pair CT barn door
hangers in place OF four, as was ordered by
requisiton, and because did not pick the sur
plus up right away an bring il back - The
hardware store again l committed the mis-
demeanor {negect of dutyl and was discharged.
Saouli the GARD of public works desire % in
ouire into the truthfulness of this letter am
wiling and resdy 10 furnish proof and sub
stantiaIe every assertion herein made
Respectfully.
ii. +. HECsS