The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-02
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT
An Expert Opinion Upon Fire
proof Building Partition.
Snowden Ashford Comments Upon
ine Use of Innnmnable Material
for Construction Work-Refund of
Realty Taxcs-A DisorderIy Alley.

Samuel T. Rabbit. of 9lS f Street
northwest, has asked the Commissioners
TO be informed of the result of the test
made Of his patent freproof partition and
whether the use of the some will be per
nitted in the District.
Snowden Ashford, assistant to the In
spector of Buildings. in reporting upon
the matter to the Commissioners, states
that he personally witnessed the test re-
ferredNto and is Of the opinion that the
partition in question presented remarka-
bic resistance to destruction by fire. Con
tinuing, Mr.. Ashford says:
The so-called fireproof buildings of to-
day have in some cases been destroyed
by the heat of the fire from the burning
of the contents. such as furniture and
merchandise, and The tendency of the
builders of modern Offices or business
buildings is to reduce to the minimum
the inflammable material however pro
tected, entering into the construction OF
the building. In some cases the owners
have introduced fireproof furniture and
flecases. l would, therefore, hesitate to
recommend a change in the regulations
that would admit Of one foot more wood
in our first-class buildings.
"A modern fiat or office, about 80 by
100 feet and eight stories high. would re
quire about 1900 feet 81 studs and 1900
laths to cons..-ucf these partitions. While
the latt4s and woodwork is protected by
the cement coating. they are not detri-
mental. but in the event that these par
titions are broken by falling materials a
considerable amount of inflammable ma
terial would be added to the flames. ]
have not yet seen the effect when a hose
is played on such a partition heated to
a high temperature.
"A very small portion OF our buildings
are required to be fireproof, while great
many are slow burning. Business build
inEs may be erected to 10 feet. If some
means might be devised to decrease the
infiammability of the floors, we would
have an ideal slow burning building.
think, however. that the tendency in
making buildings fireproof should be in
the nature of an advance in the protec-
ton of the steel beams and columns and
the elimination of every inch of wood
work possible, and, therefore, cannot
recommend change in the regulations
that would appear to be less Effective in
obtaining a really freproof building"
Charles G. Thorn, of 1927 G Street north
west, recently requested permission TO
extend terra Gotta sewer on the east side
of the residence of Mrs. A. NJ. Dean,
known as oak Lawn" on Nineteenth
Street, north of Florida Avenue. The APP
plication was referred to Charles b. Ball.
the Inspector of Plumbing. and he has
forwarded report upon the matter,
which the Commissioners have approved
In his report Mr.. Ball says:
Some days ago / inspected the system
OF drainage adjacent to the rear build
ings belonging 20 Mrs. A. NJ. Dean, at
oak Lawn" Connecticut Avenue north
west. and found that about 100 feet of
terra Gotta sewer served TO drain the
stable drainage into a 5-inch cast iron
sewer extending from the house con-
siderable distance to the main. 1t is de-
sirable to make certain extensions for
the drainage of portions of the surface
adjacent to the stable, and take in GER
tain floor drainage as well, which extern
sions may properly be made OF terra Gotta,
as they will drain through the terra Gotta
outlet now in place.
y therefore recommend that permits
sion be given to make extensions on the |
north side of the stable property, and for
yard and downspOut connections, of terra |
Gotta instead of iron.
B. F. Saul. of Seventh and L Streets |
northwest, has presented to the Commits |
sioners the petition of Henry Murray. for |
the cancellation of the tax for 1888 |
against sublot GO. square "a. In reporting |
upon the matter at the request of the |
Commissioners, the Assessor says:
ION June q, 1895, tax certificate No. D.
lis was issued TO John D. Sullivan on sub
lot 60. square "a, then assessed TO Joseph |
Anthony. wherein the tax for 1888 in the |
amount Of $3.50 was omitted.
by deed, dated and recorded July 8,
1895, conveyance was made from said Sui
livan to Henry Murray, she petitioner, |
and, as sworn TO in the accompanying pc
tition, on the faith of the certificate of |
June y, 1885.
This case is in the category of those |
covered by the provisions of the act of /
May 13, 1882, entitled, An act relating to |
tax sales and taxes in the District OF |
Columbia and it is therefore recommend /
ed that the collection and recovery of the |
tax for lSsS against sublot 60, square PA, /
In the amount of $3.50, be barred as to |
any purchaser subsequent to issue of GER
tificate of June q. 1895. and so noted on /
the records of this Office
John P. Warning, of 2249 Twelfth Street
northwest, has requested permission to
connect his premises with water In for
warding report upon the application to !