Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-21
PLANS FOR BUILDINGS
Authority GiNn he Commissioners to Em-
ployLsal Architects.
The Engineer Commissioner Details
Advantages q the Plan-An Aid
to B6iIAang Inspector.

The District Sap4rcpriatio bill. as report
ed to the House, while great disappoint-
nent to the District Commissioners be-
cause of the limited amount OF the money
granted, has given them at least one
ground for congratulation. in that the bill
grants them authority to have the plans
for all the buildings mentioned In the meas
ure for erection prepared not by the build
ing Inspector, but under his supervision.
This means that the Commissioners may
have the plans for the buildings prepared
outside Of the Office Of the building inspec-
tor by local architects. and in that way,
they claim, that not only will the building
inspector and his force be given more
time to attend to more pressing official
duties, but that the plans will also be much
more attractive.
Such a course has been adopted during
the present year, through an understand
ing with the Treasury Department officials,
but next year, II the bill passes in its
present shape, Of which there is, in this
particular instance, little doubt, the Com
missioners will have specific authority for
having the plans prepared by outside
parties.
Speaking of the matter today, Commits
sfoner Black said that during the year
ending June 80, 1896, the plans and specif-
cations for eighteen bussiiiings were pre-
pared In the Office Of the building inspec-
ter, with a force of three craftsmen and
one tracer. During the following year
plans for thirteen buildings were prepared
in the Office with force Of four drafts
men and one tracer.
Work Too Heavy.
In that way. explained Capt Black.
plans ard specifica lions were required TO be
turned out at the rate of one building in
three weeks, and in order to do that The
craftsmen were hurried and pushed very
hard, it being found that a larger force
could not be accommodated In the ve1y
restricted quarters of the office with its
limited utensils and materials.
He said Mr.. Ashford, the assistant build
ing inspector. who has charge Of the draft
ing room, in order to keep in advance Of
the craftsmen, was compelled to work
night, and even then could not give the
designs for the buildings more than super
fetal study. The result, remarked Capt.
Black. was tendency to adhere to stock
designs and to avoid innovations or
changes, while had sufficient time for
study been possible many improvements,
both in designs and specifications, might
have been made.
ment inaugurated during the past summer
of selecting the best architects here to
assist the inspector of buildings in the
preparation of plans and specifications
has proved to be of great assistance and
relief to the office. A type plan was fur
nished each architect, and upon this plan
he studied andl elaborated, giving to each
building the 4benefit of his individual
taste, in that way bringing to bear new
ideas and suggestions. OF course there
was no hesitancys in criticising the plans
submitted nor in suggesting improvements
in structural features or arrangements
but after they were approved the building
inspector found he had much more time
to devote to the construction of the build
ings, the businesssarrangements, contracts
and other such matters.
The Comparative Cost.
The relative cost of plans prepared in the
office of the buiiding inspector and out
side, stated Captain Black, is but trifing,
as very advantageous arrangements have
been made with the architects. The cost
Of the plans. prepared in the office of the
building inspeetorfwas about $780, the ar
chitects .beirlg .nconmissioned: to prepare
plans at $500, with theS und erstanding that
should the restimstes con the plans pre-
pared exceed the amount available for the
buildings the plans should be changed by
the architects, so as to come within the
amounts allowed for the buildings The
additional expense, small las 1t is, said Cap
tain Black, has resulted, and will result,
in well-studied and finished designs, and
many new and advantageous ideas in plans
and construction.