Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-05

Two public school buildings, an engine
house and annex, and quarantine building
for the Washington Asylum We're construct
ed under the direction of the building office
during the year, at total estimated cost
of S109, 702. The following municipal build
ings are in course OF construction: The east
wing of the workhouse, Industrial Home
School for Colored Children, police court
building, building for fire boat and stable
for morgue, four public school build ngs
the Business High School, the almshouse
and an engine house.
1t is expected that the Business High
School and two of the school buildings now
in course OF erection will be finished by jan
uary 1, 1906, SO that they may be used dur
ing the present school year. The other
buildings mentioned will be competed dur
ing the year. The average cost of construct
ing municipal buildings at the present time
Is about ID cents a cubic foot, while in
1881 the cost was about cents per cubic
foot, Showing that the cost of constructing
these buildings has almcst doubled in eight
years. This increase is due to the advance
in the cost of building materials and of
labor. the use of more modern plumbing
and heating systems, and the more ornate
architectural treatment of the exterior of
the buildings.
It is estimated that there are at present
in the District of Columbia Al .954 brick
buildings and p 24S frame buildings. The
receipts of the Office during the year. which
are made up from the payment of fees for
building permits, amounted to S7,40S, an
increase O1 S-,iOl Osel Lie piSCSuiilS iiScdi
year.
The inspector of buildings recommends the
appointment of an Inspector of heating ap-
paratus and the Commissioners believe that
such a official should be provided in order
to prevent fire and loss of life. Such man
would also be of great assistance to the
District in installing and looking after the
heating and ventilating apparatus in mu-
nicipal buildings, which now consist of
about $50 schools and 80 other buildings.
Additional assistance is also required in
the branch of the Office which issues per-
mits. A glance at the office during morn
ing of the busy season of the year will DEM
onstrate the need OF such assistance. As
it is now the builders and property owners
are compelled to wait hours in order to have
permit issued. as the present permit clerk,
In each case of an application for permit,
has to carefully examine the application to
see that the building regulations are COM
piled with A number of assistant inspect
ors of buildings have resigned on account
of the small pay, 81 900, which is allowed
half Of The force of the inspectors. The
inspector of buildings recommends, and the
Commissioners concur in the recommenda-
ton, that all of the inspectors be placed
on the basis of 81 .Sr annum, which is
as little as should paid for the expert
service required OF these employees.
The Commissioners invite attention to the
portion of the building inspectors report
regarding the licensing of architects and
builders.
In regard to tile installing of fire escapes
and elevators. some legislation Is desired,
and especially Is some legislation necessary
in describing the qualifications of elevator
conductors. Elevators are now operated
almost Invariably by youths and boys who
have not arrived at q proper age of discre-
ton. and when it is considered that these
employees have in their care the Hives of
the mass Of people who use these elevators.
law which would require an operator to
demonstrate his fitness for his position be-
fore he should be employed.