The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-21
FOR A new OFFICE
An Electrical Inspector May Be
Appointed.
Ordinance Providing for the
Position Is Prearped.
TOSTOP BAD WIRING.
Mr.. Eldridge Says so Per Cent
of Work Is Defective.
Position Would Be Under Con-
troll of Fire Marshal.

An ordinance providing for the
creation of an office of electrical in
spector will be brought up before the
January meeting of the city council
for passage. The ordinance is for
mally entitled IAN ordinance to create
the office of electrical inspector, and
to regulate tIfe installation of electrical
wires which are to be used for power.
heat and light draft of the
proposed ordinance has been made by
Chas. Eldridge of the Kansas Fire In
spection Office and follows mainly the
features of a similar ordinance which
is now in effect in Kansas City though
portions of other parts have been Dor
rowed from portions in existing ordin-
anceS of like character in other cities.
An effort was made to make it con-
form as closely as possible with local
conditions and rulings but inasmuch
as it may not be in keeping exactly
with the legal aspects, locally, since
the city attorney has as yet not ex-
amined it in detail it will probably Suf-
fer some change when presented to
the council and passed, if the latter
body decide that it is expedient to
do so.
Because of the fact that the session
of the council Thursday evening will
be taken UP almost entirely with the
waterworks proposition it was deemed
best to refer the proposed ordinance
to the next regular session. AS a gem
ton of this character is considered a
sensible move by the large business
men and property owners of the city.
Whether this particular ordinance
meets the requirements of the situa-
ton will have to be decided. Viewed
on the same basis as the existence of
the office of plumbing inspector it is
considered in every respect as of like
importance and value and this is the
stand taken by the majority of the
councilmen to whom this subject has
been preached. The members of the
council when approached with refer
ence to it stated that though they had
had no time to think over the matter
and that they had not thought of the
creation of an additional office still
considered it of the utmost importance
and one which could be of great value
to the property interests at stake.
The creation of such an office would
mean naturally an increased ex-
penditure and this will be probably
the only occasion of demurring at the
passage of such an ordinance. The
councilmen are reluctant to saddle any
additional burden upon the city's
finances in the way of establishing new
to the office are on the same par with
those which the plumbing Inspector
enjoys it will more than pay for itself
and in reality be a money maker.
This is something which will have to
be worked out. The objection against
placing this duty upon the plumbing
inspector is that it requires to all pur
poses a technical knowledge such as
only a man enjoying large experience
in electrical matters possesses. Togeth-
er with this inspecting of wire the in
specting of meters both gas and cleo
trical could be his. 1t has been sug-
gested that the man appointed for
such a position might be made an as
Sistant to the present plumbing in
spector, Mr.. CLANCY. This, however,
is another matter of minor impor-
lance.
Mr.. Eldridge, insurance inspector, is
construction now in place in the bust