The Washington times., 1905-01-11

Denunciation of the bill introduced
in Congress authorizing the appoint
ment of a master builders examining
board continues to be expressed by per-
sons interested in the construction
trade. who believe the proposed legisla-
ton would impose a hardship on all
but few builders of the city.
The exposure Of this sentiment in The
Times of yesterday has attracted wide
attention. The notoriety given to the
matter has furthermore interested
business people. who have hitherto
been Indifferent to or In ignorance of
the measure.
It is the desire Of the opponents of
the bill to see that this interest is con-
tinued. in order that the business peo-
pie will align themselves on the side
Of the opposition.
Big Builders Want Bill.
From a canvass of opinion among
number Of builders today,-th senti-
ment working for the adoption of the
bill appears to come principally from
the larger members Of the trade. From
its supporters point of view the pro-
posed legislation provides for regula-
tons governing the trade which should
have been in existence long ago 1t is
held that every builder should be cap
able of passing rigid examina tons be-
fore he is competent to perform the
duties which his profession requires of
him.
On the other hand. critics of the
measure maintain that il imposes an
unnecessary hardship upon a certain
class Of men who may be thoroughly
competent in every respect, and yet
who may fail to answer correctly a few
questions put to them by the examining
board Their contention is that a
builder is not necessarily an incapable
mechanic because he is unable to OBJ
tain a high percentage in a test which
would probably be more or less theo-
retical.
Hardship on Small Builders.
This side of the question Is upheld by
Howard T. Brown, builder, OF 800 NJ
Street northwest Mr. Brown in ex-
pressing his views this morning was
emphatic in his opinion that the bill
imposes a hardship on the builders of
smaller scale.
Were anyone to ask me what
thought of the BILL" said Mr.. Brown
II would reply simply that | thought
it was all bosh. The present regula-
tons are strict enough to insure compe-
tent work. and I can't see what advan-
tage will be gained by making the path
Of the small builder any more difficult
TO travel.
at would seem to me that if this
bill were TO be enacted the system OF
inspectors should be abolished But as
long as we have inspectors don't see
the necessity of our having to go before
board for examination. TO have a lot
of questions thrown at US which won't
| figure in our work once in a year
Too Old For Technical Tes.
Particularly would the proposed reg
| illations be a burden to a certain class
of men who are thorough mechanics,
and yet who would perhaps be una BILE
to qualify for continuing their trade II
! they went up for an examination Build
| ing work can't be judged by theoretical
knowledge, and most men. when they
are builders, have reached TOO advanced
an age TO begin studying like a school
boy
W. z. Hoff, of 1907 Street north
west. said he was voIcing the sentiment
of many builders in Washington when
he said the bill was Just TO only a GER
| tain class of members of the trade.
For the builders who have been for
! tunate enough to- acquire that knoW1-
edge which would equip them 10 pass
IAN examination such as that which
| would be given by an official board, the
| measure Is undoubtedly a good thing.
| But for the many who are good me-
| chanics and not versed In the finer
| points of the business. 1t would be a
| great burden which would no doubt
| swamp many able and competent work
men,
No Concerted Antagonist.