New-York tribune., 1895-10-20
ness. We shall see n the American Government
viii let the matter rest with simple statement
Of Its views, especially since that statement has
been so cavalIerly pigeon-hoed.
THE BUILDfyG DEPARTMENT.

It is customary for heads Of municipal depart
mepts knowing that they will be Dlamed II the
public business ntrusted to them Is inemciently
done. 10 ask for more money than they really
suppose they need rather than less. They know
also that their estimates are likely to be re-
duced in any case, and this governs them TO
some extent In making their computations 1t
is not exactly an ideal way Of calculating the
cost OF government, but perhaps II IL the only
way that will ever be taken At all events such
Is the present practice. and 1t Is the not easy
task Of the Board Of Estimate and Apportoh-
mont 10 decide what can and what cannot De
accomplished by administrative skill ana pru-
dcnce Economy Is most desirable, while parsl-
mony ia mischievous and discreditable; ana yet
1, is difficult in promoting the one TO avoid 'he
other. The officials on whom this burden Is iaid
are pretty sure to make some mistakes vi J"us'
ment but they are warranted in assuming as
the basis OF their calculations that taxpay are
NOT only willing but anxious TO provide wna'-
ever money Is necessary for honest ana ellc'eh'
service, and TO approve from year TO year snch
additional expenditure as the growth OF the city
requires.
One of the mos. interesting and important IN
ouiries in connection with the annuai sur'e!
- wovs and means Is tpat which concerns the
nenor,ment NJ Buildings It Is made prominent
inst now nv Superintendent COnstables vlgor-
ons md even indignant condemnation Oh tue
conditions which he encountered when he look
office and which he has been unable to reform
"You ore now dealing" he said on Friday 10 the
Roard Of Estimate, with a crlminalE lnelh-
cient department" That Characterization CORE
sponds accurately with the general belief, Dased
In mart ,,pon common observation ana fortned
nv several dreadful disasters. The only DOUBT
has been whether the department could he salts
tac,or;,v administered at the same cost by
SUPERINTENDENT qualified morally and profession
ally for his task Mr.. Constable exphcltly de-
clares that II is impossible for him or anybody
else TO do what ought to be done without spend
ing more money than has been allowed hereto
fore. ut Is imperative" he says that we
"have more and better inspectors. and we can,
mot get good men unless we pay them gooo
wages" Mr.. Constable Is generally regarded
as a competent witness and his emphatic asser-
tions are entitled TO careful consideration.
The Building Department differs In one essen
tial respect from most other branches OF NIL
nicipal business. 1t Is better. for example, 10
have the streets half cleaned than not cleaned
NJ all. and the same might be said about the
lighting and policing Of the city. But we are
not sure that It would not be better to get along
without any pretcnce of building inspection thah
,o maintain system which in measure re-
lieves private citizens of responsibility ana Gre
ates a false sense of security II the puDhc Is
deluded by incompetent or corrupt officials INTO
believing that the buildings which 1t sees risihe
continually are safe whether they are or not
II is worse off than II it were on guard against
danger and learning all the while to give confi-
dence only where 1t was due. 1t Is certain that
the Building Department hitherto mas not i"i'
filed the purpose Of its existence, but has lam
entably and dlsgracefuly failed TO do So Mr.
Constable. an honest man OF long experience
and established reputation, declares that us
future must be like its past until ii is differently
equipped at much greater cost lie declines
moreover TO bear the burden Of responsibility
longer under the conditions to which lie Is now
subjected His Judgment Of the situation beng
what It is. we do not blame him. and we think
II would be dangerous to reject his conclusions