Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-30
DECLINES TO RES0IND
COL. BIDDLE INSISTS ON FIRE ES-
CAPEs AT ELSEWHERE.

Senator Gallinger. chairman OF the SEN
ate District committee. recently urged the
Commissioners to rescind their order re-
curing fire escapes to be erected on the
Elsemere, 140S H street northwest. En-
glneer Commissioner Biddle is, for reasons
then stated. however, supporting Building
Inspector Ashford in the latters efforts 10
secure the enforcement Of the law relat-
ing to fire escapes as applying to this
building. and II Col. Biddle's recommen-
dation is approved by Commissioners Mac
farland and West the former order will
stand.
An inspection of this building was made
by Inspector Evans of the building de-
rartment and Assistant Fire Marshal
Nicholson in March, 1904, when both rec
commended that fire escapes be erected on
the house. The building is owned by Mrs.
Clara a. Rines, and in letter dated
March %, 1904, Mr.. A. Conrad Ekholm,
then manager of the house, stated to the
chief engineer of the fire department, that
from that date the building was to be
used for hotel purposes.
Several weeks ago the building inspector
again took up the matter and insisted that
fire escapes be placed on the Elsemere.
The Commissioners approved order to
that effect. Mrs. Rines, however, APP
pealed to Senator Galinger, who recently
wrote the Commissioners asking them to
reSClnQ the OTUeT IL tney cOulU property W
so The owner of the Elsemere submit
ted to the senator a list of houses which
she claimed were used for purposes SINH
lar to her property which have not been
required to erect fire escapes, and this list
was brought to the attention of the Com
miSSonerS..
In reporting on Senator Gallngers letter
Building Inspector Ashford calls attention
to reports relative to this building made
last year, and also to the letter of the for
mer manager, in which he stated that the
building was to be conducted as hotel.
AN order was served about year ago
requiring fire escapes, after the fire which
caused considerable excitement, but which
fortunately was restricted to one part of the
building and did not cut off escape of per-
sons from the structure" says Mr.. Ashford.
The other building referred to by the
owner of the Elsemere and Senator CAL
linser are not within the purview of the
law, which only applies to buildings fifty
feet or more in height. 1 have no doubt
that fire escapes are needed on some of the
buildings, but feel confident that the pres
ent law has been applied as far as it will
reach, except in the case of the Elsemere,
where for many years We have endeavored
to obtain better protection. The present law,
with its fiftyfoor limit, shuts out many
buildings which need fire escapes, but the
proposed new law applying to three stories
or more failed to pass at the last session"
In taking his stand in support of the
building inspector Colonel Biddle moves
that Senator Gallinger be informed in ac-
cordance with Mr.. AshfordS statement
and, further, that he be informed that the
fire department concurs with the building
inspector as to the necessity for fire
escape on the Elsemere. Colonel Biddle
recommends, further, that Senator CALM
ger be informed that the Commissioners
know of no reason why the requirement Of
fire escape on the building should be re-
scinded -