Evening star., 1902-08-19

| operator was present. Reference is made
| to the defects of the present fire escape
| law, which has been depended upon for
| requiring means of saving life in case of
| fire or panic, and has been applied in as
practical a way as possible.
'All buildings mentioned in the act and
| requiring licenses have been inspected an
nually, and pending the approval of appli-
cation for license have been in technical
compliance with the law, though never in
most cases effectually provided with proper
safety appliances. 1 would recommend that
one assistant, either under this office or
the fire department, be continuously en-
ployed to make frequent inspections to re-
quire proper maintenance of appliances
after they are installed according to law.
/ "A special committee has been appointed
by the Commissioners to report on this
subject and my experience leads me to be-
lieve that joint resolution of Congress,
repeating the present law and comforting
authority on the Commissioners to make
regulations governing the application of
safety appliances, will be the only precise
means of affording greater safety in case
of fire.
Use of Derricks and Scaffolds.
I'm the report of the computer, special
reference is made to the frequency of ac-
cidents in the use of derricks, scaffolds and
lack of precautions for safety of work
men on buildings. The present regulations
are silent on this subject and the accidents
of the past year, resulting fatally in sew
eral cases, seem to demand our care but
with our present force it would be a self
imposed obligation and responsibility en-
tirely beyond our power to control 1t,
therefore, appears urgent to request that
an inspector experienced in the use and
construction of hosting machinery and
scaffolds be added to the office force.
"One of the most trying and responsible
duties imposed on the inspector of build
ings is the removal of dangerous buildings
or parts thereof The danger from col
lapse of old dilapidated or damaged build
ings seems to have been fully realized
when act of Congress, approved March l,
1899, was approved, and the law has been
applied in many cases where the owner OF
the property can be subjected to service of
required notice, but there are many cases
now giving this office serious concern where
old buildings are on the verge of collapse,
but the law is Intellectual as long as the
owner cannot be served with a notice or
arrested.
This law provides upon the neglect, re-
fuSal or absence of the owner or RESPONSE
bic parties that the inspector of buildings
shall enter upon the premises with such
workmen and assistants may be neceS-
sary and cause the unsafe structure to be
shored up, taken down or secured, etc,
and that the cost be assessed against the
property and bear interest and be collected
as taxes, etc. But the fundamental defect
in the execution of the law is that it pro-
vides no funds from which to pay work
men and assistants" and men who live by
such work cannot afford to wait several
years until the amount is collected on as
sessment and paid to them
Relating to Dangerous, Buildings.
81 would therefore recommend that the
small revenues of this office amounting to
about $4,000 yearly, be intrusted to the |
auditor or otherwise made available as a |
means of executing the provisions of the |
law referring to dangerous buildings, and |
for temporary employment in emergen- !
cies of extra assistants necessary to en- /
force the building regulations in the inter- |
est of public safety.
During the past year the building regu- |
lations have been revised promulgated and |
distributed to the building trades and |
others interested. A few amendments have
already been made which, however do not |
change the intent of the regulations But |
It is continual complaint of builders and
architects that frequent changes made
from time to time without previous notice |
keep them in state of uncertainty, some
times embarrassing them in the action
Of business with the owner and requiring
application to this Office for in
formation not obtainable in the printed
copies of the regulations in their posses
sion.
II would therefore most earnestly request
that printed copies of changes be sent to
his Office by the secretary Of the board Of
most respectfully recommend that certain
lates be designated for changes, If possi-
ole, such as July / and January 1 of each
year, and that all changes be advertised |
and distributed as near these dates as pos
;ible.
Buildings Completed.
'The following buildings were completed
Turing the present year: Matthew G. En-
.ry School, Lincoln avenue and Prospect
street, lexington; Sayles ]. Bowen School,
ID and K streets southwest; Washington
Heights School, California avenue; Pet
Worth School, Benjamin G. Orr School,
Twining City; keniworth School, S. G:
street between 1st and Sd streets north
west; William Mckinley Manual Training
school, 1th street and Rhode Island ave-
Tue northwest; school building, North Cap
tol and P streets northwest; William Sy-
'hax School, Half street between N and
treets southwest; Lovejoy School, 18th and
streets northeast; tenth precinct, Whitney
venue; Brookland engine house; receiving
ward, Washington Asylum; four-room
school building, Industrial Home School;
table in rear of No. 8 engine house. stable
n rear of truck company "F," new work
house, rear wing, completed, with excep-
ion Of cells and ceiling; heating to be in
talled under separate contract"
Estimates Submitted.
Mr. Ashford also submits his estimates for
9O4 He recommends an increase in the SAL
Try Of the principal assistant inspector Of
buildings from 81 600 to 81 800. He asks for
wo additional assistants to assist In the per-
nit work at 81 200 each, and four more, at
he same salary, for general work and two
t 81 600. Mr.. Ashford strikinkly points out
he necessity for this increase of force,
aging 1t Is utterly impossible to do proper
work with the number of men now at his
He also asks for an additional
lVll engineer or computer at 81 500, and
leating engineer at the same salary.
WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.
Bertha Ennis, Colored, Perished in Her
L