The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-07-20

polntment OF an inspector OF buildings
and prescribing regulations for the con-
struction OF buildings has been printed
aud copies soRt to all persons interested
in the building trades and to the mem'
bera OF council. 1t was considered by
tho committee on ordinances some time
ago, aud recommended for passage.
The main reason II has not been taken
up in council Is because more pressing
matters, relating principally to the
puDlic health and tho city finances,
have occupied tho attention OF that
body pretty thoroughly, Everybody
concerned recognizes the Importance Of
such a measure, aud this, together with
tha bulk OF the printed ordinance. sug'
gasts the wisdom OF '"maktnG haste
slowly" Nothing would be gained by
adopting the law without mature con-
aideration.
True, tho proposed ordinance was
presented by tho Builders Exchange,
and its passage asked, but it vas mere
~ a copy Of tho ordinance in force in
Omaha, Mob, and the idea has occur
red to many that perhaps an ordinance
exactly meeting tho public needs there
would require considerable alteration
to adapt II to Wheeling's purposes.
Councilmen have also suggested that
tho approval OF the builders Exchange,
WhileimportRnt, ought not to be regarded
as final, since the public's interests,
rather than those OF tho builders alone,
arc to be looked to by'the city tathers.
Whom the HutchisIon and Chapman
buildings on Main street collapsed with
such disastrous and fatal results, there
was a great clamor for the adoption OF
such d law. This has died out, and
little public talk on the subject Is heard.
or course the necessity for q building
inspection law, 30 sadly and forcibly
illustrated by that disaster, is as great
"a ever, but the rOaulta Of the absence
Of ono are not 80 fresh In the public
mind,
In regard to the Omaha ordinance,
now pending in council, lNrELLldENcER
reporters have in the past tow days
talked to u large number OF those Inter
estod. They nearly all agree that this
ordinance is at least a good basis or
foundation for such d measure as
Wheeling needs. The matter o tamend"
ments as to detail is, Of course. q proper
subject for development a. tho consld.
Grafton Of the law progresses in council.
There arc several practical builders and
contractors in council, in both branches,
and their experience ought to DO Of
great value in perfecting the ordinance.
Ono builder urges tho objection
against tho ordinance that It 10 too
long; that there iS more in 1t than
ought TO be. Said he:
mo ordinance can cover every nocos.
sary Point in detail. 1t can do II gen.
orally, but in the most voluminous law
something must DO left In the discretion
OF tho inspector. II We are going to in
,cludo building specifications in It, why
have a skilled inspector? What We
want is a competent man, honest aud
fearless, and then Just enough law to
back him and enable him to enforce
his judgment"
Amembsr OF the Builders Exchange,
in speaking Of tho ordinance, said:
ave had several propositions before us
when 1t was under confederation, look.
ing to perfecting II, but We were sort OF
between two tires. In tho first place,
there is a decided public sentiment
against increasing tho number OF city
officers. Many OF US knew that there
are q great number Of people who argue
that there are already too many city
officials, and TO avoid adding a building
inspector TO the number 1t was suggest
cd that tho city engineer DO required to
be q person competent TO discharge tho
duties OF inspector and that these DO
added to his other duties aud q salary be
paid him that would enable the city to
command his services for other work
without paying fees, az ia now done.
This would save money in the long run.
But right here wo ran against another
snag: there is a decided opposition
among councilmen-l DONE know why,
but II does eXist-aRainst taking any &C.
ton that could DO construed a. recoR.
MIXING tho position Of city engineer, lot
alone giving him a salary; 30 We just
concluded 10 put tho ordinance in as i
was aud trust to the wisdom OF council
to got It into as good shape rs possible,
II probably needs Goma minor amend
ments. at least"
Another gentleman who has givon
tho matter considerable thought, said
that in addition to the volnminous char.
actor Of tho law, which he thought was
not altogether necessary, Its provisions
for tho inspection Of the plumbing and
sanitary features Of a building we're not
Mt NIL adequate; "nndthat." he added, us
ono OF tho most important things"
An architect who had heard the OBJ.
lection urged that tho ordinance vas
too long, said no did not agree with