New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-15
EXTENSION OF FIRE LIMITS.
ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS ACCOM-
p1JsHED BY COMMISSIONER BUSH.
HIS SUCCESSFUL. APPEAL TO THE LEGlsl-Nrofh-
SUGGESTION THAT THE POWERS OF iHE
HEAD OF TIE BUILDING DEPART
MENT BE ENLARGED.

MENT BE ENLARGED.
One NJ the good things done by Wesley e busn'
who has been the Commissioner OF Buildings IN
,,,,I, for me last two years. has been to secure
= ,ar9o extension OF the fire limits. These limits
embrace the part Of the city within which al ne"
buildings erected must be of stone or orcK OF o'ler
freproof material The Board OF Aldermen mas Juii'
dic,,on over the fire limits, and from time 10 TIME
adon, resolutions extending them. Often the pro-
nose3 extensions are resisted by builders or prop
erty-owners who do not wish to surrender the PRIV
uoga NJ uniting I'D frame buildings. In consequence
NJ the non-extens.cn OF the fire limits there can DO
seen in some OF the newer parts or the city ions
rovs of frame houses solidy built up, which wouid
nrove an easy prey fire If fire should once se'
started among them 81,
IN a ,obIe in Commissioner Bush's office there lies
snread out a map OF the city with the district III
i,,lod Z, the fire limits marked off in deep req.
res,pnated by a shade OF pink are certain sections
which were brought within the IRE limits by an ho'
OF the last Legislature Being convinced OF 'he I'M
norance OF further restricting the districts IN whch
:, &c permissible 10 erect wooden buildings, Mr. Bush
had several resolutions introduced in the Board OF
Aldermen but was unable 10 get them acted on
lie therefore appealed to the Legislature. ana the
reeult was that the largest extension OF the hre
limits ever made secured. This lnciudes CON
siderable mart of the Twenty-ifth Ward and slice
Of the Twenty fourth region on both sizes OF the
Canal
yards the entire Twelfth Ward and all OF the
t,i,n,b Ward not previously taken in Commissioner
Rush thought II desirable also to include part or
the Twenty-elghth Ward and the Fourteenth ana
Fifteenth wards but the opposition was 100 s''ons'
a glance at the fire limit map will show that none
NJ the Greenpoint region is subject to restrictions III
tho matter OF building materials. and. Of course. all
tho new wards are exempt. There Is no intention OF
imposing any rigid rule upon these wards since they
ara suhurban in character and detached frame
houses will always abound In them But
there is difference between SUCH houses ana long
solid rows OF socalled fats Ike those when can De
seen in the Tweny-eighth Ward, near Bushwick-
on one point Mr.. Bush s Of the opinion that larger
discretion should be allowed 10 the Building Com
missioner II happens in numerous that there
are hooks which were built UP. with the exception
tec,ed 10 wooden buildings, and now the owners Of
these vacant lots find themselves required II they
hardship for they will be pat to additiona. expense
while they will not be able TO get any more rent
such block IS not improved by the erection 81 one
brick structure In Consequence such lots are nkey
receive II the land were improved. and IN some cases
after many years staDle OF Uur' 81, 1h ragn
Commis sioner Bush H. convinced that IL would De
vise 70 have a law passed authorizing the head OF
the Pudding Department, In his discretion. 10 make
an exception to the general rule In sueh cases mat
this might be 70 me aavahuge o, ,e .,y np
proper man to that office the door might be opened
for an abuse. but the same is true OF the entire
admins ira ton OF the Department. The Commits
sioner is charged with the sole and exclusive con-
regulation and supervision of the erection. atera-
ton repair demolition and removal OF all build
ings In the city and he IL required 10 be "a prac
teal mason. carpenter or architect OF at least ten
years standing
The extension Of the fire limits is only one OF the
reforms which Commissioner Bush has instituted
In his insstence on the enforcement of the law In
the strictest manner he has made enemies among
some builders OF the city and II II not strange that
there is considerable opposition to his reappoint-
ment. Reputable builders. architects and insurance
men, however. keenly appreciate what he has ac-
complished for the city both In enforcing the law
impartally and in roofing out the abuses that
abounded under the administration OF his predeces
sor, and they are strongly in favor OF having him
retained by the next Mayor.
Mr.: Bush himself is making no effort to secure re-
appointment But his friends working In his
behalf. and their representations cannot fall to
make favorable impression on the mind Of Mayor
elect Wurster, who. OF course knows the Building
Commissioner wei and has been intimately asso-
c!ated with him officially during the last two years