New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-01
GIVE SUMMARY POWER.
Grand JURY'S 1DVICE.
Presentme'pt in Darlington Case
FaUors T'rlbane's Ordinance.


In a presentment filed by the March Grand
gury yesterday there advocated strongly
the giving Of power to the Buildings Depart
rnent Superintendent TO stop work at once on
any building where he thought there was dan
ger. This is exactly what The Tribune sug-
gested and had put into a proposed ordinance,
introduced by Alderman Davies at the request
ef the Republican County Committee. IL is ex-
pected that IL will be passed at the next meeting
OF the Board OF Aldermen.
We further recommend" said the present
rnent, that the requisite authority be given to
the Superintendent of Buildings. IN his alb
sence the acting superintendent, to stop work
eumnarfly any buildings IN process of erec-
ton where IN his personal Judgment a failure
70 suspend work would endanEer the public
safety. pending the application for an injunc-
sion for that purpose and the action OF COM
petent tribunal thereon. We request that the
foregoing recommendations be reported at once
90 the proper authorities"
The grand jury also censured the Buildings
Department for the methods employed in the
supervision OF work buildings In this city.
snd recommended the discharge Of vlzspecta-
: rench Ger fh6ompetency.
District Attorney Jerome favored the giving
Of power 90 the superintendent to stop work
where public safety demanded it. Said he:
I think It would be good plan to give to the
Superintendent Of Buildings power TO stop work
summarily buildings when he thought public
safetv demanded il. OF course. there should be
some provision for review OF his action L
think however that the superintendent now has
the power to stop work on buildings which are
being erected in violation OF the law I'm a MAN.
Ter 10 endanger public safety he has ne
power. at least. under Section 3S5 Of-the Penal
Code. to cause the arrest OF a contractor in such
e case. and arrests would naturally stop work
don't think too much contumely should be
Eeaped on Inspector French. because he had a
big district and could hardly give much time
20 the inspection Of all the buildings being
erected in his district. I think should have
inspectors each building at the expense of
the builders. one man should be assigned to
eacn building in course of construction, ami
have nothing else 10 do except TO see that the
building laws are complied with that par
ntCiar buAoing until il is completed In this
way We could nave plenty OF inspectors anu
competent inspection. and I know Of no other
way IL which x can be done.
The presentnert. which was signed by Henry
@alksn, foreman and Rudolph L. Stocked sec
fsta-y. was in part follows:
We have found no Indictment for criminal
negligence against either Pole or Schwandtner,
Fub-cortractors for the steel and iron frame
Ncfk Ct me Hotel Darlington. for the reason
that We do not believe z conviction could be
had IA either case. because Pole had only
financial interest f. the firm and was not per
soEally concerned in the erection Of the building,
and beoa use IN TIE case OF Schwandtner, his
ignorance IS so great and his intelligence so
hppreciatng the responsibility OF his under
taking
The real responsibility rests with the owner.
who induced him TO undertake the task for
which he was manfestly unfit.
The system Of inspection ia all buildings IN
process o. erection at present n vogue IN the
buildings Department IS grossly Inadequate.
The number Of inspectors is absUrdly small
The compensation allowed them IS insufficient to
secure OF the requisite intelligence and
capacity. and the men actually employed are
not properly qualified for their positions
that the or oF sfa a1 ID
tron buildings, without the immediate super
vision OF the original architect or q competent
expert in such construction licensed for that
purpose De prohibited by law.
htc recommend that the inspectors employed
by the Buildings Department he required to be
Competent engineers % experience, who shall re-
ceive adequate compensation.
We recommend that copies OF all plans for
buildings in process Of erection, fled with the
Buildings Department shall be kept OF the
premises during construction and plainly marked
with the action Of the department thereon. and
that inspectors shall he required 20 determine
whether the work is heiug actually carried on in
TIE conformity therevith and 70 report accord
ingiv
We further recommend that a system be de-
r'sed Whereby when violations are reported by
an Inspector he shall he required TO report
oaiiy what steps are taken toward the removal
thereof.
Superintendent Hopper of the Buildings De-
rartrent has gone 20 Florida for a few DAYS
Borough President Ahearn said that he would
be uns bic - discuss the presentment until he
had taken * Up with Mr. Hopper. AS to In
rpector French's ability he would have IL In
fesiigated hy The Buildings Department.