Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21

tional Union are much interested In the
proposed building to be located on B street
southeast opposite the Congressional LIZ
prary for the use OF members Of Con-
sIess. II was stated by a member OF the
union that the design of the proposed
structure is similar to the library and that
Il should be built Of the same kind Of
stone.
President Samuel Gompers OF the Amer,-
can Federation Of Labor left last evening
LOT chicago in an effort to bring about the
aoJuolcation Of the existing disputes be-
tween the United Garment Workers and
the Special Order Clothing Makers and the
plumbers and gasfitters and the steamft-
ters Ihere are several other minor labor
matters which Mr.. Gompers will attend
to while in Chicago.
Secretary Frank Morrison has a similar
mission to perform, his destination being
Newcastle. Pa There are dual central
labor organizations in that city, and II Is
the purpose OF the federation to have them
amalgamate.
The building trades complain Of the nom
compliance Of those having charge ~ tha
erection Of buildings with the building req.
ulatlon which requires that on any building
more than three stories high the toists
oeams or girders Of every floor below the
floor or level where any work Is done shall
be covered with boards or other Suitable
material to protect the workmen from fall
ing between Joists and Orders and from In.
jury from railing bricks. tools, mortar or
other substances
1t 1t stated that the Master Bricklavers,
Association will bring the matter to the at.
tentlon or the inspector Of buildings and re-.
quest that the regulation be enforced TO
TINS end the association requested the co.
operation of Bricklayers' Union, No j ana
the secretary, Mr.. Milford Spohn, recentiy
forwarded to Mr.. Snowden Ashford, the
puiinlng inspector, communication IN
I am directed by Bricklayers' Union. NO
1, District of Columbia, to call your atten-
tIoh 10 the general noncompliance of con-
.IactorS and builders with section 15S of
lhe building regulations of the District of
Columbla. which provide for the covering OF
all noors above the third story on buildings
In course Of construction.
me purpose of the regulation is to pro-
tect Workmen from injury from falling subj
stances, which. during steel and skeleton
construction particularly, is the constant
source OF danger which can only be avoided
uS strict compliance with the regulation
Accidents more or less serious have oc.
CURED because floors hav enot been covered
a. REQUIRED by the building regulations, and
~ rs PROBABLE that the dangerous conditions
Will continue SO long as those resnonsihis
IN charge OF building construction. fail 10
provide better protection from accident
t tnan uhey nave In the past. I am there's
tote oirected 10 request that you instruct
your assistant inspectors to REQUIRE OF con-
tractors and builders a strict connnlia ~.
lations." iesu"
Next Tuesday the District Commissioners
VIII grant hearing to those who recentiy
requested that section II of the buiIdsns
regulations which relate to the height ana
thickness or brick walls be amended to
permit the construction Of walls nine inches
thick where the regulations require the
construction to be thirteen inches thick.
Inc proposed amendment is regarded hv,
those familiar with building construction
as very important, and the Commissioners
desire hearing from all parties Concerned
relative to the matter
me section of the building regulations re-
ferred to requires that the height OF all
walls Tor the purpose Of ascertaining their
proper thickness shall be computed from
the level Of the curb, at a point opposita
the center of the front Of the building. or
II fronting on an alley and not on a lot
running to street. from the grade of the
alley opposite the middle Of the buildina
TO the average height Of the roof"
When these measurements are not prac.
ticable the regulation provides that the
measurement shall be taken from a point
three feet above the bottom Of the foot.
ings.
The amendment suggested proposes thai
the height OF buildings shall be reckoned
from the top Of the terrace, which would
reduce the measured height and permit
nlne-1nch construction where fourteen
inches Is now required.