New-York tribune., 1899-10-15
THE BUILDING CODE HEARING.
MAYOR VAN wYCKs CRITICISMS OF THOSE
WHO APPEARED TO OPPOSE IT.


Mayor Van wyck gave hearing on the new
building code yesterday. The only persons who at
tended were julius II. Cohen and Miles N. Daw-
son representing the Social Reform Club Mr..
Cohen apologized at the outset for the absence OF
Lawrence veiller and others who have made an
active study OF the code.
They ought to be here" said the Mayor. IL
they have anything TO say. notice that they talk
pretty freely the outside"
Mr.. Cohen complained that the coce was loosely
drawn There is an evasiveness Of definition" he
said which will furnish TO builders means OF
ev1ding the law.
SHOW me some OF them" said the Mayor.
Mr. Cohen took exception TO the distinction ~
tween an apartment house nd q tenement house
But the charter describes a tenement house"
eaid the Mayor 1T seems TO me that the courts
can be relied to define tenements and apart
ments correctly"
But who is going to bring It before the courtsr
Not the builder who is favored said Mr.. Cohen.
"and not the Building Department
And why not? Tave you a right 70 assume
that the Department Is not as honest as you are!'
Mr. Cohen went on TO point out that tho dehni-
tions OF all kinds OF dwellings were forced. They
are not the dictionary meanings. he said.
Il think the courts be relied on 10 give thelr
proper definitions repeated the Mayor
Mr Cohen took exception TO the definition Of .
hotel which according TO the code must have
fifteen rooms above the frst floor TO come under
the designation OF hotel
Would II not be defined as q boarding house
II II contained less than fifteen roomsT said the
Mayor
''Bu, there IL no definition OF a boarding house.
and they should have fire escapes" said Mr. Cohen.
II think all private buildings myself. should nave
Are escapes" the Mayor said; but We would bring
about revolution II We attempted TO force nrs
escapes on private buildings
The welfare OF tenements was better asss
guarded under the old law, continued MI 'one..
you remind ne OF the time was on the oenc"'
seid the Mayor laughing. when you wou'c "ss.
arguing as you do just now. and the 'iA' o !.
.,d bv the fury bringing In a verdict against you
Tha, did not happen 50 often as tne ,tnd ~
a verdict in my favor, Mr MI, ,he code was faulty
g., manv particulars and besides the commissoars
had made an absolutely disnones. 'sp sp rsremers
a.a,ed that the recommendations OF 'ne
Society emDodied III '"e soNs "''' '
no, o"p lawson said that under the code the bowl.
ing Green Building c9ud no, o., os Talsersnb com.
oivs ny because Spencer Trask had sleeping apart.
pnn,s in the one and the servants OF cluo siept
IN ins don't think that any court would attempt 70
an,e % tho bowling Green and Postal Telegraph
h,iIdings as other than once buildings, said the
Mayor THE common sense definition woud pre-
Mr. Cohen said that TOO much discretion was
vested In the building Commissioner.
This discretion is given by the char'er' "nas
is the objection 10 IT,"
Well I don't think It very material" said Ar.
Cohen. ,,,,.
You don'tr said the Mayor In surprise. Why.
that is what the chairman OF your committee has
been talking most about