New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-03
GRAFT" IN BUILDING.
Material for Ne5O Structures Not
Properly FireprOofed.

Isaac A. Hopper. Superintendent Of Buildings,
has not only started an investigation in alleged
graft in his bureau and also into the col
lapse of buildings but has found still more
serious phase of the building situation in which
alleged illegal action the part of contrac-
tors or builders has rendered some of the larg-
est and most costly buildings in course of con-
struction practically worthless from the stand
point of safety. Mr. Hopper it is said. has dis
covered that the buildings are not properly fire
proofed and that in three instances, at least a
large percentage of the freproofed wood was
absolutely worthless with regard to freproofng
qualities. 1t has evidently been approved by
building inspectors, although they are supposed
TO test the wood. make certain that it passes
certain Building Bureau requirements and is
up to the necessary freproofing standard, The
samples which We're tested, howover. may have
been properly freproofed-
Mr.. Hopper is therefore conducting an in
vestigation TO see how far this line of graft
has extended and to ascertain whether the in
spectors have been induced to allow worthless
stuff to be used in the buildings.
District Attorney Jerome has also instituted
an inquiry into the criminal side Of the ques-
ton. Some days ago Mr.. Jerome declared that
he had specimens of so-called 1reproofed wood
taken from some buildings which he found.
upon splintering burned quickly matches
or wax It Is learned that the buildings
ferred TO were three in number-one of 16O feet
in height one of % stories and one of % stories,
They are all included in Section 1O3 Of the
Building Code which requires that all buildings
over 100 feet in height must he of fireproofed
construction.
In the first of these buildings it is charged
that there are to he over a million feet Of maple
flooring about half of which has been delivered
and is stored there by one company. A large
part of this wood. it is alleged. is not over 81
per cent freproofed and is therefore worthless
from freproof standpoint This building is
about half completed and Mr.. Jerome has con-
ferred with Chief Engineer Miller, of the Build
ing Bureau and two other engineers to decide
on further action. 1t is understood that the
owners of the building have been informed and
will take action at once.
In the second building it is charged that about
100000 feet of mahogany and yellow pine
flooring, furnished by two companies. have been
found and a large part of it pronounced practi-
cally worthless. Mr.. Jerome. it is said, has speci
mems of the wood in this building al his office
and has subjected some of them to fireproOfing
tests. He discovered that the wood was great
burner and blazed as freely any soft wood.
In the third building found what was re-
garded as the most fragrant OF all the violations
This building will be one of the highest in the
city Some tme ago Mr.. Hopper. it is said. con-
demned about one hundred thousand feet Of the
one million feet to be used.
Mr. Jerome when he went to Lakeville a few
days ago took n copy of the Building Code in
order to study it carefully and viii be prepared
take more stringent action upon his return
to-day