The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-07-28

law.
PROVISIONS.
The first section OF this amendment
provides that where there is no chief
Of fire department the authorities OF
the cities and towns shall Immediately
appoint one and provide a reasonable
compensation for the services required
Of lin. 1t also provides that the chief
of the fire department shall be ex-of-
Gcio building inspector, but the au-
thorities may appoint a different per
son as inspector of buildings If they
so elect
=. 1t is also provided in this law that
all books and blanks necessary to be
used to carry out the provisions of the
act shall be furnished by the insurance
commissioner and that he in person or
by deputy shall make special inspec-
tons in the cities and towns of the
state whenever he deems it advisable.
!. 1t is provided that the authorities
Of the cities and towns shall establish
and define fire limits within their cit
les and towns and where these fire
limits are established no frame or
wooden building shall hereafter be
erected in them.
4. The walls of all buildings other
than frame or wooden buildings are re-
quired TO be constructed of brick. iron
or other hard, incombustible material,
and the thickness of these walls for
the different size and height of build
ings is prescribed. 1t is also prescrib-
ed that there shall be proper and sub
stantial foundations, as we'll as regu-
latl0nS III regard to fire walls and open
ings in the same.
>. There are proper regulations in
regard to building of chimneys apd
ftues and they are such as will tend
very much to stop the number of fires
as such a large number come from
bad fiues.
6. 1t is also provided where any
buildings are found to be especially
dangerous as to fire then they are to
be corrected before any damage is
done.
I. There are also proper regulations
as to putting up of stoves and DISPOSE
ton of ashes and electric wiring and
steam pipes are required to be put up
in such q way as will make them safe.
8. 1t is also required before the build
ing should be commenced the build
ing inspector should be Informed as to
the character of the proposed building
and give a permit for the anne and
shall inspect the building from time
to time to see it is properly erected.
The building inspector is also required
to make annual inspections in his town
of all the buildings within the city
limits II quarterly inspections of all
buildings within the fire limits. He is
required to keep a record of his work
and make proper reports to the insur-
ance commissioner.
g.. It was provided that this amend
ment should not apply to any city that
did not have at least 1000 inhabitants
according to the last L. S. census and
that these cities and towns could X
empt themselves from the provisions
of this law, provided it was done prior
to the first of July, 1905, when the law
went into effect. 1t was also provided
they could not do so without giving the
insurance commissioner at least 10
days notice. Only three towns in the
state gave this notice and after the COM
missioner visited them and explained to
their boards of commissioners the pro-
visions Of the law they not only re-
IuSSl W OAShlp Co but w
cided they wished the provisions Of
the law should apply to their cities and
towns. 1t was also provided the in
surance commissioner should send out
certified copies of this law to the may
or and chief of fire department of each
city and town of the state coming I'M
der the provisions Of this act. In COM
pliance with this act the insurance
commissioner mailed, postage prepaid,
to the mayor and chief of fire depart
ment of each city and town a certified
copy of this bill on the fifth day of
April, 1905.
Mr.. President and gentlemen, l have
taken up of your time than I
feel l have a right to do, considering
the extreme hot weather. but my eX-
for so doing is the great impor-
lance of this law to the cities and
towns of the state and the duties laid
upon you and me in regard to the en-
forcement of the same. | ask Of each
OF you, and 1 believe 1 will receive
active and intelligent aid in re-
gard to this matter. | believe that by
using what tact we have ard explain
ing the provisions Of the law to the
citizens of our cities and towns there
will not only not be any opposition to
the law, but the citizens will speedily
realize the value it can be made to
them in putting up such buildings i'll
their communities as will afford pro-
tecton against fires. | am now hav-
ing prepared and will send out as soon
l can get them ready the necessary
blanks and books for your use. In
the meantime | would impress upon
you the necessity of your doing what
you can in seeing that the provisions
of this law are complied with and to
this end / will mail to you within a
few days copies Of the law and will
also thank each of you to send to me
a list of the architects and builders in
your cities and towns that may mail
to them a copy also. A proper under-
standing of this law and its require
ments by the architects and builders
will be of great service to you In a
proper enforcement Of the law in your
city. There is no reason why the law
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