The Washington times., 1905-08-14
BUILDING VALUES
FELL LAST YEAR
Increase, However, in New
Building.
LESS REPAIRING DONE
Ashford Wants Better Regulation Re-
garding Space Reserved for Light
and Ventilation.
LESS REPAIRING DONE

According to the report of Building
Inspector Ashford, which was today
submitted to the District Commission
ers, the valuation Of building operations
in the District OF Columbia for the
fiscal year ended June 80. 1905. was
S557. .725 less than the previous year.
During the twelve months which
closed June SO last the valuation OF
building operations, not including Gov
ernment work, was $12. .4S9. $50.
The valuation of building operations
for the fiscal year which closed June so.
1904, was S13, OF, $40. This includes So. Co.,.
co for the Union Station. By deducting
this amount there would be an increase
of 81, "A, 30 for the year Just closed.
More New Buildings.
While there was q decrease in valua-
tion Of building operations, there was
healthy increase in the number or new
buildings and dwellings,, for the con-
struction of which permits were issued.
During the year the number OF new
buildings constructed was 1,71S, as COM
pared with 1886 during the previous
year showing an increase OF 3Sl. The
number of dwellings erected was los,
against 1.144 for the fiscal year 1919.
There was considerably less repairing
done during the year just closed as
compared with the year preceding. Inc
number of permits issued in 1905 for re-
pairing was 1.I17. q decrease OF $40
More Flats.
The number of apartment houses
erected was IS, compared with y, dur
ing the previous year.
Most Of the new buildings We're erect
ed in Washington county. The valua-
ton of building operations in the coun-
ty was almost one-haif Of that Of the
entire District.
The following summary win show the
distribution of improvements in the diff
fecent sections of the District:
County, S5.l7S,67l; northwest, 50. .l6z. 81 !.
northeast, N.12S, 735; southeast, $6S3. .045;
southwest. 1856. IS7
The total number of permits issued by
the Building Inspector during the yean
was 1887.
69,2oz Buildings.
Mr.. Ashford estimates the number of
buildings in the District of Columbia at
92o2. divided as follows: Brick build
ings. 1854; frame buildings 2. .248
The receipts OF the Building Inspec-
tors office for the year aggregated S7,4JS.
as compared with $500 for the previ-
Gus year. showing an increase of 81. .I0I.
Five municipal buildings We're erected
curing tne year al cost or slOS, IvZ
These buildings We're two new school
houses, tive engine houses, and the
smallpox quarantine station.
The report shows that there are FIVE
regular inspectors, who are now assisted
by three temporary inspectors These
men cover siXty-tWo square miles OF
building area, and during the year aver
aged nearly Loco Inspections each. Two
other inspectors are detailed TO inspect
fireescapes and elevators.
Other Duties.
These inspectors also assist in the
inspection Of hotels, theaters, engines,
boilers etc. Outside Of their regular
work OF examining tre-escapes and ele-
yators. they inspected I.165 motors. gaso-
lene tanks. theaters. hotels. etc.
The Building inspector renews his rec
ommendation that a board should be
appointed TO pass upon the qualifications
OF architects and builders
Mr.. Ashford declares that under the
present conditions. il Is possible for an
ignorant and careless architect or build
er TO eVade the consequences aLtrIbuu-
able to his ignorance or neglect. and
subject innocent owners 70 the penalties
prescribed by the buildinP regulations.
He says great danger exists in this
direction.
a recommendation is made to the ef-
feet that prOprieLOTs OF department
stores be required 10 construct emer-
gency exits.
ventilation Spaces.
Mr.. Ashford makes the following com
nent upon the question of ventilation
spaces:
7 beg 70 call attention 10 section 3S
OF the building regulations, relating to
the space reserved for light and ven
tilation. So-called airshafts are Of very
little practical value as ventilators un-
less the lower end is connected with
public space
But This section of the regulations
mas been gradually changed since first
drafted by the committee, who revised
the regulations III 1897. until at present
cramped and crowded condition OF
buildings Is possible and the lower
stories 81 houses may be nSde dark and
badly ventilated.
This section Of the regulations has
oeen most vigorously attacked by the
speculative builder on the plea that II
prevents the use Of property. but 1
think II makes good use of il by af-
fOrding health ana comfort for future
generations and preventing the spread
Of deadly disease by imposing safe
tween the bedroom of q scarlet fever
or diphtheria sufferer and the windows
CT his neishbors.
Wants Revision.
y would respectfully recommend
that this section be submitted 10 the
representative medical boards and so
cicties for advice and revision. The re-
cent proposed regulations submitted by
committee Of representative citizens
was carefully considered and returned
% the Commissioners with recommend
atious."
The report shows that during the year
four old buildings, having been con
deruned. were torn down. and one such
building repaired out Of the approDria-
ton or 5000 made by Congress for
this purpose.
Mr. Ashford earnestly recommends
an increase In the salary OF his assist
ant inspectors. He declares that bust
Iess houses pay much better salaries
than the Government. the result being
that ne loses many SaiuaDle men. He
recommends that the salaries Of his as
slstants be increased 10 LOO per an
mum.
Attached To Mr. Ashfords 5 report IS
the report of his assistant inspectors.
This shows that during the year they
made 40. .2I3 visits 10 new buildings. The