The Washington times., 1902-07-18
Mr.. L, ". Saunders Takes
Issue With Engineer
Department.
SCORES CITY REGULATIONS
Anxious to Erect Covered Porches, But
Finds That Municipal Laws Oppose
Houses Not Wide Enough-Asks That
Allowance Be Made.

Mr.. L. NJ. Saunders. president OF the
Washington Savinges Bank. has raised
an interesting issue with the Engineer
Department of the District respecting
the placing of certain improvements
upon buildings in the city that are less
than sixteen feet in width.
He asserts that in response to the
demand for better homes for the poor
and middle classes he has endeavored
to provide certain comforts for houses
on Sherman Avenue. and that 1t is mis-
opinion that IL landlords are willing 10
expend larger sums for the increase Of
comforts. that the regulations of the
city should rather encourage than re-
press such generous impulses. Not
withstanding this appeal the Commits
sioners have denied his application.
Repairs to Houses.
In his communication with the Com
missioners Mr. Saunders says: "a few
days ago 1 made application for COW
cred porch or veranda for two connect
ed houses, frame, 2502 and 2504 Sher-
considerable repairs TO said houses, and
see a chance to greatly improve their
architectural appearance as well as add
ing greatly to their comfort and con-
venience.
u was informed in brief that l could
not have the covered porches mainly for
the reason that my houses were not
wide enough, or in other words, II my
houses over all measured thirty-two
feet. could have the covered porch.
but being but twenty eight feet, or only
fourteen feet each. could not be allow
ed the much needed convenience.
II asked Captain Harding. to whom
l appealed. after making application tc
the Building Inspector, why such dis
elimination; he frankly said that he did
not know. qff
Given 1t Thought.
81 have given the matter considerable
thought since that time. and have con-
cluded that the answer may be form
ed from the following incident. 1t
will be remembered that few years ago
a man made application for permit to
erect a twelve foot house. and it being
in violation Of the building regulations.
1T was rejected. as the regulations pro-
vided for houses not less than sixteen
feet front
THE case, you will remember. was
taken to the court. and it was decreed
that the house of twelve feet could be
erected. The trouble is now that the
court did not go still further and say
in so many words that the smaller
house should also have the privilege
OF covered porch or veranda.
1T is clear in my mind that the regu-
lations should be amended in this par
ticular. as it seems hardly reasonable
that the one house should enjoy the
comforts and blessings of a covered
porch. and the house a trifle smaller
should be refused 1t is not necessary
to call attention to the comfort Of
covered porch in this climate, where the
people live in the open air as much as
possible.
II am told that the War Department
will grant a platform with a tive-foot
projection. and as long as the house is
wide. If so desired. so that the inspec-
tors office of this city must be respon-
sible for denying the use OF the air
space above the covering of said plat
form.
Better Homes for Poor.
There is much said about better
homes for the poor. take the meaning
to be more comforts for the poor, or
classes in their home convent
ences and comforts. and it seems to me
that If landlords will expend larger
sums for such increased comforts that
the regulations OF the city should rather
encourage than repress such generous
impulses l would like TO build this
covered porch because it will make
better house. more attractive to the