Evening star., 1902-08-19

.,
s4 4,304.9 .941. This steady increase in the vol
ume of business has been transacted by this
office with comparatively the same force
employed in former times An average of
10 permits are issued daily.
Complaints Regarding Permits.
THE builders Of the city complain of the
time consumed IN obtaining permits, but
considering the number issued each day by
one man. It will be seen that this delay is
unavoidable with the present force. The
principal assistant or permit clerk now Is
sues one permit every twenty minutes, and
when we stop TO consider that within this
time plans and specifications must be eX-
amined to ascertain whether they are in
accordance with the regulations, and care
full examination made Of plats and lCca-
tfonS, and comparison of projections beyond
the building line with plans approved, and
calculations made on strength of materials,
it seems evident that this branch of the
work of the office should be provided with
an increased force, so that it may be ham
died as it is in the other large cities in
more systematic manner. At least two as
ststants should be assigned to the permit
desk in addition to the principal assistant
but as these cannot be spared from the
small force in the field we are compelled to
continue in the present very unsatisfactory
manner until additional employees are au-
thoriZed by Congress.
Il submit herewith a report of the as
sistant inspectors in charge of field work or
inspection of buildings In course Of con-
struction or repair within the District. and
IN connection with this report beg to in
Vite attention to the fact that during the
building season the number of buildings un-
der the care or supervision of each insnec-
tor amounted to $50 buildings In one month.
which forcibly shows the inadequacy Of
the present force, for at this rate II each
inspector made fourteen visits a day to the
buildings proper, not allowing any time for
investigation oiY}e
and minor matters assigned them for re-
port, 1t would be impossible to visit each of
the buildings above mentioned more than
twice in one month, and find by reference
to the summary at the beginning of my re-
port that permits were issued for 3176
buildings during the year, or a monthly
average for the six inspectors OF fifty build
tngs per month, thereby rendering 1t i'm
possible on basis of twelve visits a day
to reach each building oftener than once
every four and a half days, not allowing
Tor the greater amount of time consumed in
minor matters not strictly in the nature of
construction, such as downspouts, signs
awnings, unlawful occupancy of buildings
and investigation of complaints, which un-
ooubtedly consume One-half the time of the
inspectors. thereby rendering it impossible
to properly inspect the number Of buildings
referred to oftener than once a week From
the above statement and in view of the ter
ritory covered by the District I am forced
to believe that our present corps of in
The License Law.
Il beg to invite attention to reference in
report Of assistants to the present license
law relating TO contractors and builders
and heartily commend the suggestion that
those who are licensed should be subjected
to an examination by competent board
under conditions similar to the plumbing
board or the board Of steam examiners.
1t seems hardly reasonable that the law
appreciates the necessity Of licensing and
examining man who is charged with the
installation Of plumbing fixtures in a house
ana the operation OF a power plant, while
the man who Is morally responsible for the
safety OF the entire structure from founda-
tion to roof, containing the plumbing fix
quired TO furnish evidence Of his ability to
safely construct the building, wherein the
lives Of hundreds may be jeopardized
through his ignorance.
The report of assistant inspector in
charge of elevators and fire escapes shows
that 1t is impossible for one man to prop
erly inspect the elevators of the District
as often as required by law IL required
aIs' 10 locate all fire escapes and direct
the installation Of steam boilers and other
motive power.
Ine amount Of his time encroached upon
Tor assistance in repairing OF remodeiinR
the hea.lng and ventilation Of District
buildings has resulted in a serious decrease
In the number Of inspections of elevators.
but notwithstanding this extra tax on his
time he shows that his inspections of a
miscellaneous character were maintained
at the rate Of four each day.
"One additional inspector Of elevators as
sumed his duties on the first of the present
nscal year, which 1t is hoped will result In
more frequent supervision Of this RESPONSE
BILE part Of our work.
Accidents In Elevators.
Several fatal accidents have resulted in
the past year from the operation or man.
agement Of elevators, not from mechanical
defect, and I especially recommend the
adoption OF the suggestion that operators
be examined as to their qualifications. The
driver OF an automobile 10 required to pass
an examination. but the elevator operator
seems 20 pe selected according to the terms
made with the owner, and In most Of the
accidents reported no regular or competent