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

County NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 474,32S
Southwest. .....-... ..-......'..-.'..' 5Z'SoS S
Sortheast. 29.s9I
Two public school buildings, an engine
house and annex, and a quarantine building
for the Washington Asylum were construct
ed under the direction of the building ONCE
during the year. at total estimated cost
Of $1OS, 1O2. 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 buildings.
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 l. 1906, that they may be used dur
ing the present school year. The other
buildings mentioned will be completed dur
ing the year. The average cost of construct
ing municipal buildings at the present time
Is about ID cents cubic foot, while in
1897 the cost was about cents per cubic
foot, showing that the cost of constructing
these buildings has almost 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 1884 brick
buildings and 81 ,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 81, 40S, an
increase of s2,101 over the preceding fiscal
year.
The inspector of buildings recommends the
appointment of an inspector of heating ap-
paratus and the Commissioners believe that
such an 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-
ncpal buildings, which now consist OF
about $50 schools and so other buildings.
Additional assistance is also required I'm
the branch OF the office which issues per-
mits A glance at the office during a 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
q 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. $1,000, which is allowed
one-half of the force of the inspectors. The
inspector of buildings recommends, and the
Commissioners concur In the recommended
ton, that all of the inspectors be placed
on the basis of 81 200 per annum, which is
as little as should be 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.
and elevators. come 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 proper age of discre-
ton, and. when 1t is considered that these
employees have In their care the lives of
the mass Of people who use these elevators.
II would seem that there should be some
law which would require an operator to
demonstrate his fitness for his position be-
fore he should be employed.
Much attention was given during the past
fiscal year to the question of ventilation
and the space reserved for light and air In
buildings. The most fragrant offenses
ment houses. which are built mainly with
an idea Of getting the greatest return on
the least investment. AS consequence ev-
cry square foot of interior space in these
buildings is attempted to be utilized for
rooms Instead of providing for proper
light and air within their own lots the
builders of these apartment houses depend
for light and air. in great number of
cases. upon the adjoining lots, which are
built up usually with dwelling houses not
extending the full depth of the lot. The
consequence OF this is that If another apart
ment house Is built adjoining the existing
should come Is filed up, making the light
and air to the occupants Of these flats
come through mere air shafts or wells.
number of representative citizens of WASH
fngton have formed themselves into q conn.,
mittee, which Is cooperating with the
Commissioners with a view to amending
the regulations and preventing this, and
also to making these fats or apartments
sanitary and healthfui.
The wisdom of the appropriation OF $4,000
made in the last District appropriation act
for the removal Of dangerous buildings on
the refusal or neglect of the owners to do
50, has been demonstrated. The law in re-
spect to condemning these buildings, how
ever. is In need of modification.
Repair Work.
The amount expended during the year by
the superintendent Of repairs was about
$4,000. This amount was expended on re-
pairs to school buildings, police stations. en-
CINE houses. police court. ETC.. and. In
Guided plumbing. painting. thinning. steam
fitting. erection Of fences, improving Of
school yards, etc. The number OF buildings
under the care Of the superinteudonk Of re-
pairs y 20 end this nuubAr increases each