Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-15
ESTIMATE OFiiExPENSES
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING SUBMITS
REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS.
Slight Increase in Matter of Salaries
One Additional Inspector
Asked For.

Mr.. Chas. B. Ball, the District inspector
of plumbing, has submitted to the Commits
sioners estimates for the conduct of his
office for the next fiscal year, comparison
being made with the current expenses as
follows:
Salaries-Inspector of plumbing, 1902,
$1,000, 1901, 5000; six assistant inspectors
of plumbing three at 1900 1.-TWO increased
from $1,000, 1902, So 800, 1901, 81, 200; three
at ST. 600 Zone additional submitted), 1902,
5000, 1901, $4,000; two sewer tappers at
81 900, 1902, s., 600, 1901. 81 600; five members
of plumbing board at $500, 1902, 81, 500, 1901
$500.
The additional assistant is requested
says Mr.. Ball, on account of the constantly
growing work of the division especially IN
connection with the design and supervision
of plumbing in the District buildings and
the additional labor involved by the appii-
cation of the revised regulations in requir-
ing final examination and test of complete
plumbing work. The increase asked for,
from 81 900 to 81 200 for two inspectors, IS
to provide compensation commensurate
with the duties and responsibilities in
volved.
Testing Apparatus.
For horse, harness, wagon and testing APP
paratus Mr. Ball asks $3.50, stating that in
order to provide for satisfactory testing of
new plumbing work in an efficient and
proper manner it is necessary that a smoke
test machine with the necessary connec-
lions, plugs, etc, and a horse and wagon
for the transportation of the same, be pur-
chased. The superiority of this method
over any system by which the plumbers
should provide the testing apparatus is OBJ
vious, he says, as such appliances furnished
by them would be only occasionally In use
and would be of different types and require
repairs and adjustments in almost every
case. The equipment referred to would,
he thinks, afford means for testing under
ground drains, which are entirely lacking
at the present time throughout the District.
The Plumbing Fund.
For the plumbing board the sum of 1926
is asked for the purchase OF tools, mate
rails and fitting up of room for the purpose
of testing applicants for licensing as master
plumbers as to their skill in the trade.
Il am instructed says Mr.. Ball, by the
plumbing board to request this appropria-
ton in order that candidates for licensing
as master plumbers may be submitted to a
practical test to their knowledge Of
proper methods of executing plumbing work
and their own skill In executing the same
1t is not intended to attach a relatively
high ratio to this portion of the examina-
ton, certainly not more than three-tenths
of the whole, but it is believed, as found
by other plumbing boards, that it affords
a very satisfactory method of determining
the actual acquaintance of the plumber
with the details OIL Workmanship.
Public Schools.
Mr.. Ball recommends that the appropria-
ton of $4,000 for necessary repairs to and
changes in plumbing in the existing school
buildings he inserted in the annual est-
mates, as heretofore. The necessity for
the continuance of this work was fully set
forth in the hearing before the appropria-
ton subcommittee last year, he explains,
and he adds that there still remain nu-
merous buildings in which it is necessary
to remove the terra Gotta sewers, a number
of urgent cases in which the exposed SAM
tary arrangements should be supplanted
with suitable toilets within the building,
and nearly forty buildings in which the
Smead closets are still in operation.
He also recommends that specific ap-
preparation for grading and filling, paving,
draining and inclosing school yards and adj
jacent parking surfaces of $1,000 be asked,
stating that the condition of many of the
school Enclosures Is exceedingly objection
able and can, he thinks. be remedied only
by requesting specific appropriations year
by year for that purpose.
Public Comfort Station.
1.-The conditions of Improvement" says
Mr. Ball. "at It'll street and Louisiana
avenue northwest, and the reservation of a
parking at this point entirely under the
control of the Commissioners, render it
practicable to select this vicinity as a site
for public comfort station. ! am advised
that a suitable building, partly under
ground, of durable and ornamental archi-
tectural features, containing accommoda-
tons for both men and women, can be
constructed for 1,sOO, and l recommend
this item for submission to Congress-"