Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09
FILES ANNUAL REPORT
PLUMBING INSPECTORS STATE
MENT FOR PAST YEAR.
Improvements Suggested and Estimate
Made for Larger Force-Plumb-
ing Boards Report.

increase of J, 100 over 1904, and or 2,O39 over
1903. Mr.. Davis also appended table
showing now the work of his department
grew In ten years from sos inspections in
the year 1s94-95, when six men were en-
ployed, to q. 1877 In the year 1904-05, just
ended when the only addition to the office
force included three men. The inspector
asks for the appointment of four additional
men as temporary attaches of the office,
and for increased salaries for his present
force.
Inspector Davis reported as follows con-
corning various municipal improvements.
which are either planned or which he thinks
would be valuable additions to the domestic
economy:
plans for the two public convenience
stations already appropriated for are well
under way: especially is this so for the
building which is to be built partly above
and partly below ground, located at TIN
street and Pennsylvania avenue northwest,
and the plans and specifications will soon
be ready for the receipt of bids. The I'M
foreground station sketches have been pre-
pared. but the working drawings have not
been made, pending a decision upon its To-
cation. The wisdom of providing for these
two public convenience stations during the
last session of Congress can be best shown
by the fact that during the 4th of March
ceremonies, when eight temporary wooden
structures were in use, they were used by
S,733 people, and If this number visited
those temporary structures it can be easily
seen that modern equipped buildings will
be great convenience to the general pub
lie.
Swimming Pool for Children.
THE tendency now in some of the large
modern cities is to provide suitable build
ings equipped with a large natatorum for
the instruction of school children in the
healthful art of swimming, and no eXpen-
dture Of public money could be more adj
vantageously used in connection with our
public school system than in providing
suitable building for the instruction of the
young to properly take care of themselves
and others when the emergency arises. The
city of Brookline, Mass, being notably
ahead of other cities in this particular hav-
ing a fine natatorium building, where over
) 900 school children are taught to swim
nearly every year under competent male
and female instructors, different days be-
ing assigned to boys and girls.
"A subject of considerable moment to all
modern cities is the providing of proper
buildings and bathing facilities for the
classes of people who occupy houses in
which a bath tub is unknown quantity,
and making them attractive and inexpen-
sve to the user. While the number of
houses not provided with this bathing IA
cility are not numerous as they are in
other cities, yet there are many houses
where no tub is provided with hot water in
winter on account of expense. and in such
house would be blessing. and l recon-
mend that the subject be given considera-
ton with view of at least purchasing sites
for two such bath houses, one for the use
of white and the other for coored and con-
tanning rooms for the use of both men and
women and allowing sufficient money for
the preparation and study of plans in other
cities to obtain the best results. These
sections of the city, where they will be
most used and to be provided with mod
ern shower-bathing appliances and proper
heating apparatus, and to be in charge Of
competent attendants. both male and fe-
male charging a nominal fee for the use
of the bath, soap and towel.
Public Fairgrounds.
I'm connection with public Fairgrounds.
and in line with the effort made by the
various citizens associations both toward
the establishment of grounds with ade-
quate facilities for the forwarding of in
telligent athletic direction. and with the
efforts recently made by the Board of
Trade and the Business Mems Association
to obtain public swimming pool baths, 1t
might be well to inquire into the feasible
ity of constructing cement plastered shower
pools on such Fairgrounds as may be Sc
lected and possibly providing swimming in
structors. The work to be done very cheap
~ considering the undoubted good that
would result from 1t.
A simple excavation IN the ground, with
sloping sides, plastered two inches thick
with Portland cement plaster and surround
ed with a plain board fence or with can
vas. open to the air above, would appar-
entity answer the purpose. The pool itself.
with temporary sewer and water connec-
lions could be built for 500 to $3.50 each,
according to sizes determined on.
Il would suggest that this matter be
called to the attention of the proper Of
flcials. who may be sure of the hearty CO.
operation of this office, II they desire to
avail themselves of it,
The Plumbing Board
In connection with the report Of the In
| spector of plumbing the Commissioners also
received today the following report from
the plumbing board:
There were held during the year twenty
five sessions. The total number of exami-
nations conducted was thirty-three The
number of original candidates examined for
licensing as master plumbers and gaSfitters
was sixteen, of whom four passed. OF
those who had previously been examined
four were recommended for licensing and
twelve failed. One candidate passed the cx-
animation for licensing as a master gas
filter only.
THE terms of service Of Messrs Patrick
Brick and Joseph r. Quinter expired June
30, 1904. and they were reappointed men,
bers of the board for period of two years
each. by orders dated July and 10, 1904
respectively.
Suggested Legislation.
1.-THE recommendation of the committee
appointed to inquire into the business meth
DDS OF the several departments and divisions
of the District government that an effort
be made to secure legislation reducing the
plumbing board to three members. one OF
whom shall be a master plumber one a
journeyman plumber competent to be IL
censed a master plumber, and one an
employee Of the District of Columbia having
a knowledge of plumbing. gasfitting and
sanitary work. was unanimously concurred
In by the board.
1.-The board respectfully recommends.
however. that the appointment of the en-
ploye of the District of Columbia be made
from the office Of the inspector of plumb
ing. as the work of the board should be in
close touch with said Office and the records
of same contained therein, for immediate
consultation. in the disposition of matter
relative to the work OF reviewing examina-
ton papers Of candidates by the Commits
sioners.