Evening star., 1901-09-23
FILE ANNUAL REPORTS
STATEMENTS OF PLUMBING BOARD
AND DISTRICT INSPECTOR.
Amount of Work Done on Plumbing g
in the Public School Build
fngs-Other Matters.

The District Commissioners have received
the annual reports of the plumbing board
and the inspector Of plumbing. The board
is presided over by Joseph X. Quinter, and
Chas. b. Ball. the inspector of plumbing,
is it's secretary. During the past year
twenty-five sessions were held most OF
which were devoted to the examination OF
candidates for master plumbers licenses.
There was no change in the personnel of
the board in it's officers.
The total number of examination con-
Quoted was eighteen. The number Of origi-
nal candidates examined was eight of
whom three passed. The number OF those
who had previously been examined was
ten, of whom three passed.
The examinations throughout the year,
with a single exception, were by the use
of written questions and answers, ana
there is division in the opinion or the
board that such method is far preferable
TO the oral one. No practical examination
has yet been introduced, but 1t is hoped
that provision may be made for the eX-
animation of candidates in this regard.
The board requests that an appropriation
of s226 be asked to provide tools and ma
terials and fit up room Tor the purpose
of testing applicants for licensing as mas
ter plumbers as to their skill in the work
OF the trade.
Inspector Balls Report.
Chas. B. Ball. the inspector of plumbing,
in his report details the work of the office.
showing that 1852 inspections were made
during the past fiscal year, an increase or
$50 over the previous twelve months.
Mr. Ball. continuing. says:
The revised plumbing regulations, con-
stituting the fourth edition, took effect
January /, 1901, and the volume of fnspec-
tions was materially increased by the ne"
provisions. On account of the promuiga-
tion of the changes number OF months
before the date of taking effect, the plumb
ers obtained advance information respect
ing the application of the various rules. so
that little friction has been experienced in
working under them, and but few changes
have been required in work in progress.
The increase of peppermint tests from
1e1 in the previous year to the 80 record
ed indicates the increased work In six
months. due to the requirement OF nnal
inspection upon each new house 1t Is De
lieVcd to be necessary to substitute for the
peppermint tests now in vogue a system
of smoke tests as a final method of proving
plumbing work
Plumbing in Public schools.
plans and specifications were prepared
for the renovation of the plumbing in the
Force Grant Gales and Garnet school
buildings. The work in the Force school
consisted in removing a defective vitriiisd
pipe sewer from the basement and substi-
tuting a cast iron line. There was also con-
a d
toilet building fully equipped with fixtures
of advanced types. and provided with lnde-
pendent steam heating apparatus. In the
other three buildings general toilet facili-
ties were introduced in the basement. and
small fixtures provided on the upper floors.
Porcelain drinking fountains. having the
slab and back In one piece. and three faucet
and waste outlets, were constructed for the
first time and introduced into these build
ings. New toilet room fixtures mark a con-
siderable advance over those heretofore de-
signed.
arrangements have been made for the
prosecution of work upon the toilet rooms
for the Lincoln. Mott and Randall build
ings. and the erection OF single structure,
containing a boiler room and toilet facii-
ties for the Addison and Curtis schools.
Nineteen cases involving violation of
the plumbing and gasftting laws were
brought to the attention of the Police
Courf' sixteen of which were for the vio-
lation of the plumbing laws. two for gas
fitting by unregistered persons, and one for
excavation in public street without per-
init. 1t is still my opinion that the penal
ties imposed not sufficiently heavy to
prevent repetitions of these offenses
Public Comfort Stations.
THE need for the construction Of a suit
able number of public comfort stations still
exists. and is more fully recognized by the
District officials and the public generally
than heretofore. The experience of the
subcommittee In charge of these matters
during the late Inauguration ceremonies
emphasizes the great necessity which oc-
ours for such conveniences during occa-
sions that bring together large numbers of
people. The five stations erected by them
were used by hundreds Of persons.
Although I believe that a considerable
number of such buildings should be at once
provided, the question of sites is such
. difficult one that / recommend that be-
ginning be made by the construction of a
suitable building at the intersection Of 7th