New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24

engineering plans This brings the business
up to point where tht master nuldei - eaneS
=. and mere begins the work OF patience an.
nill involving details requiring the most Nar'eu
knowledge and experience. The structure ~ ~ :.
cost about 100000 and every part ,o OF ~
must be made to count The builder ha'ii.s
arranged his ediGce 10 its very finish, peGin IS -
excavate A structure covering ooHiUo Zee.
the foundations of which begin ~ leet peios
the surface, demands the rernovai "a "ou III,
1000 loads of dirt; the proper force ana ohiy
the necessary number Of men, horses anu
wagons are engaged, and the hoe grows no", ~
The foundation calls for the artisans VINO lay
concrete stone walls and bricks; the iron beams
and columns of exact dimensions nave Deeh
made and are moved in at their tiIne. me
general has then his cornice-work roonng. nre-
proof partitioning, electric wiring, gas-plpihs'
rough plumbing, plastering trimming. rough
carpenter work, marble work, and line carpen.
tering. All Of this labor has been planned, ana
is brought to the ground ready 10 De pisreu.
There must be no mistakes; no ntting OF ater
ing 1t must be ready and correct. Inc paint
ing and vanishing complete the Job; Inc
quality and the make of all this material nave
been specified.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
In connection with this 1t must be explained
that application for the erection OF any buiiding
in the city Is required by law to be MADE 10
tho Building Department. This application
must state how the building is to be occupied.
IL for dwelling. state the number or families
size Of lot size of building. number OF stories
in height number of feet in height from curD
level to highest point OF roof beams, cost OF
building exclusive of lot, depth or 1ounoatioii
walls from curb level or surface OF ground
and will the foundation be laid on earth, sano'
rock timber or piles; what will be the base.
stone or concrete? If base stones give size anu
thickness and how laid; If concrete. give timex,
ness; what will be the size or piers; what VIII
be the thickness of foundation walls. anc OF
what material will they be constructed; what
will be the thickness of walls or each story
and of what material they VIII be? Inc ma.
terial of the front; ii stone. what kind? VIII
the roof be fat peaked mansard? Materials
Of roofing, size and material OF Hoor beams Oh
each tier. If floors are to be supported ny col.
umns or girders, give size and materials OF
girtlers under each Of the floors, and the same
information if columns are used: what each
superficial foot Of each floor will safely sus-
tain: by whom the construction OF the building
Is to be superintended.
THESE are only few OF the questions to be
answered. and the application must be accom-
panied by drawings OF the plans OF each and
every story. front side and rear elevations, and
longitudinal and transverse sections.
The principal functions Of the Building De-
partment are to provide for public safety and
record The officials are expected to prevent
the construction of works which, on account OF
poor material or work, would prove menace to
life and property. Every encouragement pos
siblc Is given for the highest type of the build
er's art and science 1t has been a great as
sistancc in the past in preventing disastrous
fires and collapses. which might have involved
immense loss of life. The Superintendent OF
Buildings has under him large number of in
spectors, upon whom rests the responsibility OF
keeping the city free from all deleteriou5 con-
struction. Besides. there is a large force Of
clerks, who are kept busily occupied In keeping
an accurate and reliable record of the building
progress of the city.
LOOKING FOR BETTER TIMES.
For The last few years. while to all appear
ances there have been extensive operations in
building il is said tina. the trade as a whole
has not been what was expected Of it. Many
architects were Idle and builders sat in their
offices, waiting FOR something 10 turn up. Dur
ing the present year there has been a marked
Improvement in the general tone OF business.
Not only have there been many monster Of
fee structures going up in the lower part OF
the city, bat all through the northern portion
Of the town there has been an activity which
has stimulated the entire building trade all
through its many departments. Handsome mod
ern apartment houses, stores and attractive
dwellings, have been factors in the return OF
prosperity, and hundreds of them have been
constructed in the Greater NewYOrk during
the year which Is now fast drawing to a close.
Whether taken up with contracts Of big or
little significance. the New-York builder has
shown himself to be keeping pace with the mod
crn ideas that are ali the time supplanting
old notions. Representing as they do in
dustry Of great Importance. they command re-
spect in every commercial circle. The vast sums
intrusted to their care for expenditure insure
integrity and financial stability. and the va
riety OF interest, involved demand scientific
and mercantile accomplishments Of uncommon
order Patience and knowledge are equally nee
essary to overcome the many obstacles that
confront the builder in his manifold duties.
CONCRETE.
The largely increased use Of concrete masses
II foundations In place Of masonry masses, such