The Washington times., 1894-10-18
CONCERNS OF THE DISTRICT.
Building Inspector EntwisIc Replies to an
Attack on His Office-DaiIy Orders
commercial Alliance License

Building Inspector Entwisle Replies TO an
Attack on His Office-DaiIy Orders
Commercial Alliance License.
The Office Of the building inspector was the
target for several shots fred yesterday by C.
F. Hamilton He called public attention to
the TACT that the Stumph calamity may be
repeated any day either from faulty building
or the omission OF practical Are-escapes, and
charged that the inspectors 90 not inspect,
with various other grave allegations.
"It IS easy to criticise, said Inspector Ent-
wisIe, very easy; and this Office is naturally
getting its share Of attention. So much has
been said in the papers by way of correcting
the erroneous ideas prevalent Of the building
inspectors powers, duties, and neglect that
hardly think It is necessary to say mo re; it
would simply be repetition.
1T is a fact, however that the law makes
it as much the duty of the fire marshal as it
IS of the building inspector to enforce the fire
escape regulations. Il is jointly our duty TO
attend to it, and Chief Paris and I soon after
the enactment of the law went all over this
city. inspected every building needing fire es-
capes located them and together we signed
a notice to each party. and each notice was
properly served. As heretofore published in
TIE TIaIEs. some OF the parties complied but
after 1t became known that the law could not
lie enforced, many of the owners laughed at
Us when we insisted upon compliance
''As TO the plans mentioned IN the letter
pablished over Mr.. HamiltOps signature
/ and l really DO not know who he Isl can
state to The TIarEs that Saks & Co. are put
ting in fire escapes now. and they are also to
be placed ON the Corcoran building Chief
Paris and I go to the Saks' establishment
tomorrow by request to locate the escapes.
'Stumph Brothers are temporarily occcu-
pying the building referred to, and it cannot
be called q permanent factory. If the law
cannot be enforced against those permanently
/ located. how can it be against men who ex-
pect to vacate soon?
Il am not on the defensive in this matter.
since the Office needs no defense. nor do
want to engage in newspaper controversy.
But all have to say to the people of Wash
ington is that when Congress gives us laws
that are without fault they will be enforced. "
When asked ii he anticipated the enactment
OF an amended provision of law in relation to
! trc-escapes, Mr. Entwisle said he thought
there was no doubt of securing the needed
legislation.
The Commissioners have addressed letter
to the officers Of tho Commercial Alliance Life
Insurance Company, requiring them to show
cause on or before noon of Friday the 18th
instant, why the license OF their company to
transact business in the District of Columbia
snail not be revoked. This action was taken
because Of the report made TO the attorney
general Of New York that the company
should be proceeded against as an insolYent
company.
Orders issued yesterday: That the pro-
posal OF Washington Asphalt Block and Tile
Company for graveling d street southeast.
from Ninth street TO Kentucky avenue be
accepted.
That eatch-basins be constructed as follows:
AZ northeast corner OF Twentieth and O
streets; ~ northeast corner Of Twentieth and
i streets; northeast corner OF Twentieth street
and Massachusetts avenue
That four public gas lamps. located at the
Tour corners 90 Fourth and / streets north
east, lr discontinued permanently.
lhll permit te issued 20 abe Eckington and
Z SOLDIERS Hone Eaiiroad Company % string a
I NiEc 90 existing eiectriet light poles from ths