Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-19
PERMIT TO BE GRANTED
APPLICATION OF DOMINICAN
FATHERS APPROVED.
Erection of a Building Contemplated
for College of the Immaculate
Conception.

Col John Biddle, the Engineer Commas
soner, has recommended to his associates
OF the District board that the permit re-
quested by the Dominican fathers Tor the
erection of a building for the College OF
the Immaculate Conception near the cam
ole University. be granted. The permit
was held up by the building department
on the ground that the proposed roof did
not come within the requirements OF the
law for fireproof construction. The mat
ter was the subject of a hearing before
the District board yesterday morning
when the college authorities were repre-
scented by Mr. John Spaldng Flannery'
their attorney. and A. o. Won Herbulis, the
architect.
Mr. Ashford the building Inspector, con-
strued the law to mean that the ROOF as
well as the building should be of hreproof
construction. 1t is stated that the college
building is to be erected of stone and brlck,
and the roof is designed to have a slate top
supported upon wooden beams
The roof is to be of Gothic design, to con-
form to the architectural features of the
building proper 1t was contended by inc
college representatives that IL Hat ROOF
were placed on the building the structure
would come within the specified height be
low which such structures might De OF nom
freproof character.
The elevation of the roof after the Gothic
idea. however. brings the height above the
limit so specified. The law defines the
height as applying to hotels. residences ana
APARTMENT houses At the college there are
to be 100 rooms for the accommodation OF
eighty students
Col. Biddle's Recommendation.
After the hearing yesterday the Commits
sioners left the matter in the bands of Col.
Biddle. the Engineer Commissioner, charg-
ing him with the task of working out the
problem Today be made a favorable re-
port saying:
After further consideration of this case
and the statement of the attorney, l am
of the opinion that a permit should pc
granted to construct this building in ac-
CoTdance with the request. The act OF
Congress states that no combustible or non
fireproof building intended to be USED or
occupied as a residence shall exceed tne
height of sixty feet above the sidewalk
There is no doubt in my mind that TINS
building might be brought under the heao
of a residence, as it is stated that ABOUT
eighty people intend to live there, ana
that there will be about 100 bed rooms
mostly ON the third floor. The kitchen and
heating apparatus will be IN detached
building. some twenty-five feet distant
which is connected with the mann puiiuihS
by a covered corridor
1.-The question with me would therefore De
whether this cannot be considered as not
being a combustible or non-fireproof build
ing in accordance with the intention or the
law The building is fireproof up to the
roof. The roof is slate, so That SPARKS
would not affect it. There are to be no
fires in the building. There seem to be
ample stairways. The building could be
made of the same height. as far as the
rooms that are used are concerned, by put
ting on a flatter roof. which would come
within the sixty-foot limit. The additional
height of roof is desired for architectural
effect it is not to be used for living pur-
poses. There would seem to be no danger
to the people living therein in case of fire,
and l am of the opinion that what the APP
piicants desire to do may be permitted
under the law