The Washington times., 1905-01-26
No ACTION TAKEN
ON BUILDERS BILL
District Commissioners Still
Considering It.
MAY APPOINT A HEARING
Colonel Biddle Must Take the Initia-
tive-No Legislation Likely at
This Session.
MAY APPOINT A HEARING

The District Commissioners have not
decided what their report on the master
builders bill will De. Since the hearing
last week they have had no conference
on the matter and have agreed on no
substitute for the measure now pending
Engineer Commissioner Biddie must
make the first recommendation on the
matter. as it belongs to his jurisdiction,
and his colleagues are awaiting his ac-
tion He will not act until the steno-
graphic report of last weeks hearing is
written I'D.
In the meantime the Commissioners
are receiving a multitude of communi-
cations regarding the bill from many
sources. Many suggestions of more or
less merit have been made. and many
arguments presented for and against
both the original bill providing for a
builders license and examination and
the Warner substitute providing for a
license alone.
No Legislation Probable.
It is generally conceded that there will
be no legislation along any line yet pro-
posed at the present session.
The widespread opposition TO the gen
era1 principle involved has killed any
chances such a bill might have had pre-
Commissioners must necessarily make
some sort of a report as a result Of the
second hearing on the matter, and they
viii probably modify their first report
ON the bill and may propose a substitute
measure, but they themselves do not an
ticipate any further action in the near
future.
Commissioner Biddle was always luke
warm on the proposed scheme, Commis-
sioner West believes some sort of d Ii
cense provision is needed, but thinks the
matter ought to be allotted to rest for q
while, and Commissioner Macfarland
acknowledges there is no prospect Of
immediate legislation.
Does Not Meet approval.
The Warner substitute does not en-
tirely meet with the approval of some
real estate dealers, and there is a
chance OF a second meeting of business
men to take steps to oppose the new
measure. The District Commissioners
may be requested to grant a third hear
ing. this time on the Warner bill
Among the communications received
by the Commissioners on the subject
Is one from George c. Hough, contrac-
tor and builder. strongly urging the
passage OF the bill. on the ground that
1t viii be a great public benefit and
safeguard.
Floyd v Brooks, n. D.. has written
from a professional standpoint in favor
Of the bill He testifies that he has
Traced many cases Of pneumonia and
other diseases to poorly constructed
buildings. caused chiefly by dampness.
This Builder Opposes 1t.
Thomas H Melton. a builder. opposes
the bill and the Warner substitute, and
urges instead the need of more build
Ing inspectors.
The South Washington Citizens Asso-
citation has transmitted to the Commits
sloners copy Of its resolution Opposing
the pending bill OF any amendment IL
Walter III. Acker, an attorney. has
written TO indorse the Warner substi-
Iude. which he thinks would not only
reheye the Building Inspector, but would
lead to better construction than now
prevails IN speculative building.
James L. Parsons, contractor, has
Also written The Commissioners ureine
the original bill. e-.-e :