The times., 1901-05-02

for Construction WorlS-Refund of
Realty TaNes-A DisorderIy Alley.
Samuel e Rabbit. Of 9lS T Street
northwest. has asked the Commissioners
10 be informed OF the result of the test
made Of his patent freproof partition and
whether the use of the some viii be per
mitted in the District
Snowden Ashford assistant so 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, MIR. Ashford says:
The so-called freproof 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 inhammable material, however pro
tected. entering into the construction OF
the building IN some eases the owners
have introduced fireproof furniture and
flecases. would. therefore, hesitate TO
recommend a change in the re- ations
that would admit of one foot more wood
in our first-class buildings.
"A modern fiat or office. about 80 10y
100 feet and eight stories high. would re
quire about 1000 feet--sf studs and 1900
laths to cone.S oct these partitions. While
the IatSs 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
considerable amount of inflammable ma
terial would be added to the flames. ]
have not vet seen the effect when hose
is played on such a partition heated to
a high temperature.
a very small portion Of our buildings
are required to be fiTeproof, while great
many are slow burning. Business build
ings may be erected to 70 feet. If some
means might be devised to decrease the
intiammability of the floors we would
have an ideal slow burning building
think. however. that the tendency in
making buildings 1reproof should be in
the nature of an advance in the Drotec-
tfou of the steel beams and columns and
the elimination of every inch OF wood
work possible. and, therefore, 1 cannot
recommend a change in the regulations
that would appear to be less effective In
obtaining a really ireproof 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 ap-
plication was referred to Charles =. Bah,
the Inspector Of Plumbing, and he has
forwarded a report upon the matter,
which the Commissioners have approved
Il, his rpvorf Mr. Ball saws.
Some days ago ] inspected the system
Of drainage adjacent TO the rear build
ings belonging 30 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 a con-
siderable distance to the main. 1t is de-
sirable 10 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 viii drain through the terra Gotta
outlet now in place.
Il therefore recommend that permis-
sion be given to make extensions on the
north side of the stable property, and for
ward and d0wnspOut connections, OF terra
Gotta instead OF iron
B. F Saul, of Seventh and I Streets
northwest, has presented to the Commis-
sioners the petition Of Henry Murray, for
the cancellation of the tax for 1883
against sublot g. square "a. IN reporting
upon the matter, at the request Of the
Commissioners, the Assessor says:
'On June p. 1926, tax certificate No. D.
1I5 was issued TO John D. Sullivan on sub
lot 50. square "a, then assessed to Joseph
Anthony. whereon the tax for 1888 in the
amount Of $3.50 was omitted.
by deed, dated and recorded July 8,
1885, conveyance was made from said Sui
livan TO Henry Murray, the petitioner,
and, as sworn TO in the accompanying pc
tition, on the faith of the certificate Of
June =, 1885.
This case is in the category of those
covered by the provisions of the act of
May 13, 1880, 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 1SSS against sublot e9 square "a
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. Waring, of 2249 Twelfth Street
northwest, has requested permission to
connect his premises with water. In for
Nardfney a rcDorf lrnou the a auuffoa4Fou 20