The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-02
No LICENSE REQUIRED
FOR PUBLIC RESORTS +?
Mr.. Vests Action Raises
Important Question.
NOTICE SENT TO MANAGERS
Warned of Law Violation, Says InsPec-
toT-Why, Then, Permitted to
Conduct Business?

! Much criticism has been heaped upon
the head Of the Building Inspector be
/ cause Of his having allowed certain
/ theaters and hotels in the Dis
! trict to be operated when the
] propIietors had not complied with
/ the building regulations in rela-
/ ton to freDroofng. The significant
question is being asked, If one Of these
theaters or hotels should have tetn
burned month ago. causing great loss
of life, who would have been TO blame2"
The proDrietors OF the local theaters
which have been severely criticised as
I lacking in certain fireproof construction
have said they were unjustly treated
and were never advised that they were
violating the law. They said they would
only too willingly comply with any Re GU
lations if the District officials would ad-
wise them concerning their transgres-
sion.
Building Inspectors Denial.
In direct controversion of this position.
the Building Inspector OF the District
today announced that he had. in Augu T.
1902. sixteen months ago. informed the
proprietors OF the hotels and theaters
involved in the recent radical action Of
the Commissioners that they could not
lations had been complied with. 1t is
shown that the District Assessor was
aware Of the fact that these places were
being conducted without license, and
! ii is implied that the condition was
known to the District Commits sioners.
Why a strict compliance With the law
was not enforced has not been explained
by those in authority. and in view OF
the further fact that Chase's the EN-
pire. and the Academy have been given
thirty days from date TO conform to the
law the suggestion has been made that
there is lax administration somewhere.
The Original Notice.
In support of his statement. the Build
ing Inspector today gave out copy
Of the notice which he sent to the thea
ters and hotels in question. IT was
signed by the Building Inspector. and
the Chief of the Fire Department. and
follows:
Your attention is respectfully invited
to the following clause of paragraph 2.
of section Z. of the act Of Congress pro-
viding for the expenses of the District
of Columbia for the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1903. and for otner purposes. ap-
proved July 1. 1902:
q" Provided. further. That no license
shall be granted under the provisions of
this section. relating 20 hotels and thea
tiers, until the Inspector Of Buildings and
the chief officer of the Fire Department
has certified in writing to the Assessor
that the applicant for license has com
piled with the laws enacted and the
regulations made and promulgated FOR
the protection OF life and property
No License Possible.
From this provision OF law you will
observe that no license can be issued 10
you until we have certified I'm writing
to the Assessor of the District that the
building in which you conduct bust
ness has been so equipped and protected
as fully to meet all the requirements of
the laws and regulations referred to
therein. BY direction of the honorable
Commissioners. District of Columbia.
an inspection Of hotels. theaters. and
other buildings of the District has heen
IN progress for some time. the inspec-
ton being made by attaches OF tho
Building Inspectors Office and of the
Fire and Electrical Departments
As result of this inspection. notices
have been served in most instances upon
the owners Of the buildings inspected.
directing their attention - their failure
TO comply with these laws and reguIa-
tons: but as the law quoted applies. I'm
effect. to the lessee, proprietor. or man
ager. or those conducting the hotel and
theatrical business, we deem it our duty
10 invite your attention to its provi-
sions. for the reason that any neglect
on the part of the owner or other in
terested party TO comply with the notice
above mentioned would compel US 10
refuse to approve the application for IL
cense.
Act of Congress.
The act Of Congress Of July / 1902.
paragraph AZ. section :, provides:
That any person violating any OF
the provisions Of this section shall. on
conviction thereof in the Police Court
OF the District OF Columbia. be punished
by fine of not more than $500 for each
offense, and in default of payment ny
Imprisonment not exceeding thirty days
in the discretion Of the court. except IS
otherwise provided in this section
In Inviting your attention TO these
matters we respectfully request that, In
the event you have not received. or
been notified Of the sending Of. a notice
that the building occupied by you has
been Inspected, you so notify US or
either OF us"