Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-05-11
Mayor Buxton Makes Numerous
IMpOrtant Suggestion.
EXAMINERS FOR PLUMBERS
State Law is Not Being Complied
With Here-Market Ordinance
Should Be chansed-Top For the
Police Patrol Wagon.

Mayor Buxton sent 10 the board of
aldermen last night the most lengthy
n important communication he hns.
addressed to the city fathers since his
first message utter the new admins
tration assume control Of the city
government last fall.
The message contained many i'm.
p0rtant suggestions, which will he
considered and acted upon by the
council committees as soon as pos
sible.
Following Is the communication:
Newport News. Va, May 9, 1906.
TO the City Council,
Newport News, Va.
Gentlemen:
respectfully call yonr attention to.
the provisions of sections I7i3-D, Code
OF virginia, 1904. relating to and pro-
vldlng o the appointment of a board
III examiners OF plumbers i'm all cities
within the State of Virginia having a
population of 5000 Inhabitants. and de
lining the powers and duties of said
hoard. The purpose or i%ntendment of
the section seems to contemplate the
promotion of the public health, and |
respectfully suggest that you give the
section your consideration and that
You take such action as may seem To
you best Hereunder. (,
IN view of the several permits which
nave been granted by the council in
the last few months for the erection
OF frame buildings within that district
where frame buildings are, by ordi-.
nance, forbidden, / respectfully sug-
gest. though not in any spirit of critt-
cism of the action of the council here.
toiore, that careful consideration he
given to every application for such
permit In the future. The case should
be exceptional and the reason for
granting the permit should be the best,
or else the application should be re-
fused. The building regulations as
prescribed by existing ordinance
should be closely adhered to.
The last codilication of the city ordi-
nance was made in the year 1900.
Since that time many of the old ordi-
nance have been repealed and amend
ea ana much new legislation has been
enacted. | believe it would be wise
II eXpeuient to have the general ordi-
nnnces of the city arranged and codi-
He'd In appropriate titles, chapters and
sections II that the amendments
thereto. made since the last colifica.
ton lie migrated therein. /, therefore,
respectfully suggest thai the council
take suitable action looking to the codi-
ication of the city ordinances MS above
indicated.
In 4 former communication TO your
honorable body, I respectfully suggest
Ell the ACCESSIBILITY OF having n cover
ing placed on The police patrol wagon.
In making the recommendation, | was
prompted by The belief, which | now
hold, that 1t is not In accordance with
human instinct. nor conducive to the
best interests of the community at
large. to have the unfortunate prisoner
hauled TO the police station along our
principal thoroughfares, exposed to
public view. The expense would he
incpnsiderable and well warranted nm.
der existing conditions. May | ask that
The matter receive your early consider
alton?
Public safety demands that some
provision by ordinance should be made
Tor the protection of persons in the
alters, public halls, assembly rooms.
churches and schools. Action after
some great holocaust would be too late.
The protective measures should he
such as to minimize the risk TO The
public in attendance upon such places.
Every %precaution consistent with rea.
son, should be taken to accomplish
this end. No distractions should be
allowed in the Railways or aisles dur
ing that time of engagement or gath
ering; the electrical apparatus and
appliances should be constructed and
maintained in an improved manner,
and especial attention should be given
TO requirements for proper exits.
These are merely some suggestive pro.
visions. An ordinance embracing the
entire subject should he drafted with
much care and only after mature con.
siderntion and study of the conditions
and requirements. In its preparation
| would suggest that the advice OF the
chief of the fire department and city
electrician be obtained.
There are certain sections of the
city n which proper fire protection Is
not afforded. This is due to two
causes. First, the distribution of fire
hydrants. The distribution being such
In some cases that there would not he
sufficient hose in the city to reach n
ire were 1t to start In certain local..
ties. Notably does this condition exist
In the Northern portion of the city,
where there is no fire hydrant between
Forty,eighth street and %Fifty-hrst
street. Second, to the fact that there
are no water mains along and under
tho streets on which the unprotected
property fronts. Respectfully suggest
that provision be made for placing
such additional hydrants as may be
necessary to properly protect the prop
efty of the citizens. AS to the second
cause. some doubt seems to have
arisen as to the right of the water
company to lay or establish mains and
other water pipes along and under the
streets of the city, that Is, additional
mains and pipes without some action.
c%onfrmatory or otherwise, on the part
OF the council. i rasnactfillv RECON-.