The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-17
THE INSPECTOR SAYS
Building Force Is Inadequate
to the Work.
Recommends Amendments TO the Fire
Laws Which Are Lax.

cThe ppnusl report OF the tnspector OF
buildings, subwitted TO the Board Of. AL
dermen yesterday, is an interesting doeu-
ment, pointing out some crying needs
and emphasizing some salient features Of
1895. Inspector Hopkins says, among
other things. that atteWpts to eyade the
building law from sheer wilfulness were
very rare. Contrary to the expectations
of some, the new and more stringent
building laws had served 10 increase
building operations until they were
larger than ever before. The erection of
many business aud Office buildings while
seemingly overdone at first, will have been
for nd to be required improvements and
old buildings will gradually become re-
modelled or torn down.
The city has been free from large and
destructive fires, but such freedom is
one of good fortune, for many buildings
are in such state that an incipient blaze,
well started, will do considerable dam.
age. The building laws should be amend
ed, requiring methods of construction
destined to prevent the probability OF big
fires.
Elevators need careful watching. The
ire escape law was amended TO govern
elevator operations, but few people realize
their responsibilities and the majority
makes no effort TO comply with the law
by putting in the required mechanical
arrangements. Undoubtedly the inspec-
tor would be severely censured in case of
m ea.;o,a aIayator accfdanf hut while NO
one desires TO shirk duty, the force at the
spossl OF tie dep ment is entirely in
adequate TO the demands.
The recent amendments TO the build
ing laws have worked well. but the in
speotor advocates the repeal of that part
applying to stables and making first nec-
essary the approval and direction OF the
Board of Aldermen for their erection. 1t
- desira BILE to procure through the Legis-
latIre more stringent insurance laws in
this connection and to give the Board Of
Aldermen power to enforce them as a
poard OF health.
The visits Of inspection amount
TO considerable, and the lime thus
spent by the inspector can be imagined
when II is stat ed that 1854 visits were
made last year. This includes those TO
new ard o,d buildings, additions and al
teratiops. balldings moved, fire escapes,
steam boilers, elevators and hoistings,
chimneys aud smoke stacks, dangerous
structures, buildings damaged by fire,
locations for barns, additions to barns
and vaults. The expenses of the depart
ment have been lig s2S2s. a, including
salaries.
The total permits granted We're i3iI or
so7 more than ever for a corresponding
period. Thirty-two were abandoped,
making 1909 the actual number. In 1898
there were 100 less than in 1894, but the
amounted expended was 30 PER cent. more
In 1895 the amount was % per cent.
greater than 1928. 1he average cost OF
houses built in 1896 was $500; 1894. $500;
1898. $4,000. The total number OF new
buildings last year was So; estimated
cost, 81, S93, go number of additions and
alt sratlons, 527; estimated cost, 1884, 200
or 20, Dds, ,175 expended in bailding opera
tions
The number OF tenements by wards, fol-
lows: Ward I, rs; Ward 2. no. Ward 8,
92; Ward 4. Q; Ward s. SO, Ward q, 1863;
Ward Z, 234; Ward s, "a; Ward 9, 81
Ward 10, 100 total, 956. The wards stsEd
in relation TO each other, as regards the
amount expended for buildings improve
ments of ell kinds, ia the following
order: 4, 6, ., Z. /, 10, s, 8 9, ..
Spencer b. Hopkins is the inspector
OF buildings and Charles Il. Myers is
clerk. as may be seen by the report the
force is inadequate. Boston hss force
all told OF about 40 men, it is sistec, TO 90
this work. Even Worcester beats us,
having an inspector, assistant inspector,
and one or two clerks.
~