New-York tribune., 1901-07-24
Mr. BERNSTEIN'.S REPLY.
DENIES THE CHARGE THAT HE HAS
EYADED THE TENEMENT HOUSE LAW.

DENIES THE CHARGE THAT HE HAS
EvADED THE TENEMENT HOUSE LAW
Michael Bernstein. the architect. at No. Ill
Broadway, charged by Robert w. De Forest. chair
man OF the Charity Organization Societys tenement
house committee, with violating the new tenement
house law, made general denial 10 a Tribune re-
porter yesterday. According Mr. De Forest.
who has made complaint James G. Wallace.
the Commissioner Of Buildings. many lot owners,
throsgh Mr.. Bernstein, fled plans under the old
law. The plans being fled before April TO- MI
Bernstein said. were, of course, exempt from all
rulings OF the new law.
Amendments TO plans filed are permissible. but
Mr.. De Forest contends that the plans filed were
not in good faith. but merely TO enable builders to
build under the old law
You may interpose a general denial for me. "
said Mr. Bernstein TO Tribune reporter yesterday
and sa:' that I have acted throughout in good
faith II is and always has been customary for
lot owners desiring 10 build TO file plans not always
exactly conforming with the buildings they intend
10 erect When construction has begun they some
times hnd that improvements of various kinds are
necessary, or that another of building would
D better suited to the size of the lot perhaps
these plans have been filed without consulting an
architect who later shows them how TO make
better use OF the ground. Then alterations are
suggested and agreed 20. and amended plans filed.
This action constitutes evasion of the law, and
mas been usual since the earliest days OF the
buildings Department, and cannot be stopped NO
coiuslon, Ar. De Forest fntlmatess is necessary
ine Buildings Department has no right TO prevent
me or any other architect from improving the
plans first filed. For instance. / file plan for a
double decker tenement house, and afterward wish
TO- and DO. change the plans, that there will be
but three families a floor and that more height
ano air space may be obtained. This has been done
OFTEN. and each time for the better.
MI. De Forests contention that plans cannot be
changeo when once fled. but must be drawn de
h"o Is an extreme Interpretation of the law, and,
70 my mind, not sustinable one. None of my plans
we're He'd 10 evade the law Why the commission
should have selected out of the thousands Of
.iAtects who have done the same thing don I
oersanc II these charges are pursued an action
of Aoei may be filed In fact. the commission has
eaoy committed itself. AS to the charges made
aeaanst me- am ready at all times TO answer for
aiming have done and TO defend myself and my
r"siona4 reputation against anything Mr.. De
est or any one else shall advance against me-"
- the Building Commissioner sustains Mr.. De
'sts 3 complaint the owners Of houses plans for
tai. tn Mr. Bernstein has fled VIII be unable TO OBJ
enti,,s certificate from the Buildings Department
ths Them offer the houses rental This is
snss a.s q Section H2 Of the law. In accord
IL vSs "a the next section II any house be occupied
by = aon OF Section LIZ, holders Of notes secured
which aa,ortgage on the building the lot upon
option i"s may iorscloee thefn at tnsir own
the rsn more the act provides that lawsuit for
the Deyvse.y OF rent shall be maintained and that
such spaf trnent Of Water Supply shall permit
'se 10 be furnished With water. thus rem