Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-11
District Inspector Ball Makes His
Annual Statement.
PERIODIC INSPECTIONS OF HOTELS
Suggestions That Public Comfort
Stations Be Authorized.
T H E BOARDS EXHIBIT

port of the plumbing board for the same
| period.
| Mr.. Balls report shows that during the
past fiscal year the number of inspections
| made was 1900 being an increase of fifty
| over those of the previous year These
comprised 5.341 examinations of existing
plumbing work. 5.495 inspections of remod-
| cling, extensions and repairs, 3O19 inspec-
| tons of plumbing in new buildings. 231
peppermint tests, SS3 inspections of gas
piping or gas fixtures. 1874 inspections of
lead water service pipes. IA sewer taps
into main sewers, 81 new terra Gotta house
sewers inspected and 764 inspections of re-
pairs to terra Gotta sewers. Personal SER
vices of notices upon property owners were
made to the number of %
Card Record of Inspections.
The report states that card record of in
spections, which has been in use in this
bureau for a year past now comprises
more or less complete record of the plumb
ing in some 10000 premises. nearly one
fourth of the number which have public
water supply that the accessibility and
completeness of the record has resulted IN
considerable saving of time and has dem
onstrated its great advantage any
system arranged in books, and that while
the record of the current inspections is not
entirely posted at the present time, it
may be readily brought up during the
winter
written was 1855, including miscellaneous
letters, 1913. letters to master plumbers. us:
orders to repair plumbing or gas fitting,
407: Endorsements on communications, TAI;
letters to the Engineer Commissioner origi-
mating in the office. 1O4.
The inspector says the examination of
plans for plumbing work in new buildings
has been continued as heretofore, the num-
her of structures for which designs have
been approved being LOG. Consideration
has been given as well to numerous prof.
ects involving extensions of existing
plumbing. Mr.. Ball suggests as desirable
that permit be required to be taken out
by the plumber in all cases in which fix
lures are added to an existing system and
IL at, where it is proposed to add bath
room or more than two small flXtureS to
an existing system, detailed plans of the
plumbing proposed be required to be fur
nished in advance of the performance of
any work.
Besides number of instances in which
warrants were issued and the cases nolle
pressed upon satisfactory performance of
the requirements. fourteen cases were
brought to trial in the Police Court, in ten
of which fines We're imposed for violation
of the plumbing regulations or for doing
work without being licensed In three
cases these fines were SO each. In this
connection, Mr.. Ball says it has been his
policy not to file information where the
evidence weak, as he does not believe
the results. where conviction is doubtful,
Justify the considerable labor in prepara-
ton and the amount of time taken in the
trial of such cases. It is very often diff
cult he says. to identify an unregistered
plumber as the person who has performed
plumbing work. even if the facts are other
wise reasonably clear.
Suggests Periodic Inspection.
1t is Mr.. Balls conviction, as suggested
in previous reports, that legislation should
he CONGRESS- emDOWer
the inspector of plumbing to make periodic
inspections of hotels and boarding houses,
il bein.; especially desirable. in his opinion,
that such power respecting inspections or
old and defective gas piping ana gas Tx
lures be secured.
He saws the experience of his office as to
lack of authority to require plumbing re-
pairs in premises belonging to non-resl-
dents is such to confirm the recommen-
dations made by the health officer as to
the necessity of such legislation as will
render it possible for the District to make
the required changes and assess the eA-
pense upon the property.
| Speaking of the plumbing in the District
| public schools, Mr.. Ball says the appropria-
| ton of SO 900 for repairs TO the PLUMBING
| in the public schools resulted in the adGl-
| non TO the work of his office of the study
| in detail of the necessities OF the school
| buildings in the regard, the elaboration OF
| plans and the letting of CONTRACTS Tor I'M
| nortant work. Defective terra Gotta sew
ers were replaced by cast iron in the
Henry Cook. Grant and Franklin scEcol
buildings. New exterior toilet rooms We're
| constructed for the j Jefferson and Frank
| lin schools. For the Wilson and fright
wood schools where the public sewer Sys-
TEN has not been heretofore available for
| outlet, cast iron sewers w"r4 provided ana
! a complete system of plumbing was con-
| structe(f in the latter building. lIlnOr re
| pairs and reDlaccments ha - been made in
| other buildings the most noteworthy of
| which was the placing of ventilated urinal
! fixtures in the Central itigh Scnnol
The study of types of fixtures suitable for
| use in schools has taken much time and
| consideration. Incident to this investiga-
! ton. Mr.. Ball visited. in company with Mr..
| e. +. VerrnlliOn, the newest school houses
| in the cities of Philadelphia Newark, New
| York and Brooklyn. The treatment of the
| problems arising in school plumbing was
| found 20 be very diverse. but indicating =
general tendency toward much higher
tynes of fixtures for school use. 1t may be
| said states Mr.. Ball, that the best prac-
| tice now requires individual water closets
| with automatic flushing apparatus and the
| construction of ventilated urinals.
Public Comfort Stations.
ct seems proper says Mr.. Ball. in
| concluding his report that I invite atten-
ton to the growing necessity for the con-
struction of public comfort stations for
| the use of those persons whose duties re-
| quire them to remain upon the city
| streets, as we'll as for other persons who
| would make Il casual use OF such taclli-
| ties. Great Importance has been attached
| in other cities to this matter and, in few
| cases, noteworthy examples CT such build
| ings have been erected. The matter is enc
| deserving the attention of the Commission
| ers, and | hope that my other duties will
| permit the preparation Of Il somewhat com
| prehensive report such as would be out of
| place in this connection.
| Plumbing Board.
| "As secretary of the plumbing board Mr..
| Ball submitted to the Commissioners the
! first annual report of that body. The board
was appointed by the Commissioners July Z,
| 1SJS, III accordance with the act of Con-
| g-ess approved June Is, 1895 authorizing
| the Commissioners Ito appoint a plumbing
| board. to be composed of two master
| plumbers. one journeyman plumber compe-
| tent to be licensed master plumber and
| two employees of the District of Columbia
| having a knowledge of plumbing and gas
| fitting and sanitary work.
| AS members of the board the Commits
| sioners designated Charles b. Ball. inspect
| or of plumbing; Joseph r. Quinter, and
| Timothy V. Noonan. master plumbers, and
| Christian +. Eckloff, chief inspector of the
| water department, members of the plumb
ing board. The first two were appointed for
| pc RODS of two years each, and the last
two for terms of one year. The Commits
| S;oners directed that examination be
! held for the selection of the iourneyman