New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-21
BUSH WILL NOT WEAR 4 UNIFORW.
THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER SEES NJ
REASON FOR FOLLOWING SUPER1NTEN-
DENT CONSTABI.E'S EXAMPLE.

rr,o ,do, of uniting uniforms on the men compos-
ing the stat OF building inspectors originated with
Euullnr Commissioner Wesley c. Bush ana natur-
,,,,. no was much gratlGod when the idea was re-
comfy adopted IN NewYork by Mr.. Constable the
sunerintendent of Buildings. Mr.. Constable. how
oyar has gone considerably farther than Commits
sioner Bush and, not content with having MS
force OF inspectors wear uniforms he mas assumed
uniform himself ard has caused the clerks In MS
office to adopt the same style OF dress In view Oh
this action on the New York side OF the river. some
of Commissioner Bush's friends have been wonder
ing when he would appear in a uniform Those who
have snoken TO him On the subject have not been
long IN learning that he has no Intention of following
the example set by Superintendent Constable.
II am not an extremist" said Commissioner Bush
Yesterday when asked as 20 his intentions In this
matter "and have not the slightest expectation Of
providing a uniform for my own use. Soon after
coming into the Department saw the desirability
of uniforms for the inspectors-the men who do the
outside work-for their own protection and for the
protection CT the builders with whom they con-
stantly brought into contact. The system of uni
forms has worked excellently. They have had the
effect of improving the morale of the force for
man in uniform feels that he cannot do anything 10
disgrace 1t without subjecting himself to exposure.
and II any OF them were so inclined the Uniform
would prevent them from spending their time in
saloons. ..-., . ,,,
for IL makes 1t impossible for man TO palm him
self off AS an Inspector and demand money for al
lowing certain things to be done that forbidden
by law. In the old times occurrences Of this kind
were not infrequent, but OF course nothing of the
sort can take place now. am satisfied in every
way with the result of the experiment which |
started soon after taking charge OF this office two
years ago and OF course | pleased to the
same plan adopted elsewhere. The time will come,
| am sure when It will be generally that a
uniform is necessary for a building inspector as
for policeman.
superintendent Constable. believe. conceived the
notion OF uniforms Tor his men by seeing one OF my
force whom sent over, to ,New-York on some err
rand | took pains that he should wear his uniform.
and was pleased to find that 1t had made an i'm
preston ON Mr.. Constable's mind. He asked my in
spcctor large number OF questions about the uni
form, about the cost. the method of providing It,
etc. and the result has been the adoption of uni
forms for all the inspectors in the other city, And
only for the inspectors. but for the clerks In the
office and even for the Superintendent himself.
Now can For uniforms for the men
engaged In Office duty. who do not come into con-
tact with the public at all except in the office of
the Department. And as for the superintendent
wearing uniform. | see no more reason why he
should do than that the Police Commissioners
should uniforms because the members Of the
police force do. There is time and place for all
things-for the uniform we'll as for everything
else.
You may put 1t as strongly as you please that
have no intention whatever Of following In the foot
steps of superintendent Constable in this respect