Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-07
RESULT OF AM ERROR
PERMIT ISSUED FOB ERECTION OF
CERTAIN HABITATIoNs.
Buildings Occupied by Laborers
Brought Here Under Co4tract-Col.
Biddle's Recommendation.

Col 1ohn Riddle the Engineer Commits
sioner has submitted statement to his as
sociates of the District board regarding the
two frame houses which have been erected
in lexington by the contractors engaged
in certain work for the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. The houses were the subject OF
complaint from John H. Lane. chairman OF
the committee on sewers and water OF the
North Capitol and lexington Citizens AS
ISOLATION. Mr.. Lane said the houses south
of Quincy and west of Bird street northeast
were erected without permit, were f1re
menace and without sanitary conveniences.
Col Biddle says the sheds were put up
without permit through an error on the
part of the contractor who had applied for
q permit to build them on "Scheutzen
Park" which was the old name Of this To-
cality while the building inspector issued
a permit for the buildings In Scheutzen
Park on Brightwood avenue. The buildings
are now occupied by laborers employed on
the work at this point by the contractor,
who Is endeavoring to push 1t as much as
possible.
Not Regarded as Dangerous.
1T seems to be absolutely necessary.
says Colonel Biddle, that the contractor
for the railroad should be allowed to bring
laborers here, though he informs me that
number of his laborers and teams are hired
from the District. This space Is the proper
ty of the railroad company and 1t would
seem that the contractor for the railroad
company should be allowed to erect the
buildings If they are not contrary to the
laws and regulations of the District ana
are not a menace to health and security.
buildings of wood when they are not dan
gerous by reason of the likelihood of fire,
and 1 do not think these are close enough
to residences to be source OF danger from
fire.
Additional methods of safeguarding
could be taken if necessary. do not an
ticipate any trouble from the presence OF
these workmen and there should be no
alarm upon this score The total number
will not be large and the police can handle
them. There is less danger than If they
were scattered throughout the section.
There should be no reason why the con-
tractor should rent buildings for the
commodation of the laborers If he can erect
suitable ones for his own use. He stated
that he tried to rent building on an adj
Joining block and while 1t was marked va
cant and it was intended to use 1t as an Of
fee and private dwelling for the contractor.
when the owner found out who wished to
rent 1t declined to rent 1t.
In Hands Of Health Officer.
THE question Of properly housing the
workmen SO as not to create insanitary
conditions has been taken up by Health
Officer Woodward All matters Of this sort
have been approved by the health Office.
The work on which the contractor is en-
gagged will last but seven months, and as
he wishes to push it fast as possible 1t
does not seem right to place any unneces-
sary difficulties in his way. There will be
no complaint from a sanitary point when
the proposed arrangements are completed.
THE carrying on of a large job like this.
concludes Col Biddle. always causes much
inconvenience to the people living in tho
vicinity, but 1t Is the desire and intention
Of the Commissioners that 1t shall be done
with as little inconvenience possible. At
the same time facilities must be given con-
tractors for carrying on their work and a
proper use of their or, their employers land
must be allowed them. In this case it is
simply that the buildings are, frame and
for temporary and not being within q
dangerous distance of other houses l think
they should be allowed. F