Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-27

The public building committee of City |
Council last evening gave a hearing to I
employing and joumcyman builders, on |
the proposed new building ordinance, |
with view to getting the draft in shape |
for the consideration OF Council. The
meeting was held in the mayors Office,
at the City Hall, by three members OF the
committee, Chairman Homer G. Sim
mons, Joseph l.. McCaiierty and William
Lyons Jr, and Building. Inspector Viii
liam NJ. Connolly. The other two mem
bers of the committee, Michael F. Cannon
and Thomas E. Postles, were absent, Mr..
Cannon being sick. Clerk OF Council
John ]. Monaghan acted as secretary of
the committee. A large delegation OF
builders. John B. Bird, engineer for the
Joseph Bancroft & Sons Co., Col Enoch
Moore, and committees from labor Or
ganizations were present.
All interests we're heard and If there
are any more suggestions they VIII
have to be considered on the hnal read
ing of the ordinance.
David H. Russell of the Central Labor
Union delegation, who was heard INST,
smoke in favor OF amending that portion
OF the ordinance bearing upon the quail
fication of the building inspector by
making it possible for iourneymen, as
we'll as master builders, to hold the Office.
A communication was received from
the Bricklayers Union, suggesting such
an amendment to the qualification as to
make it open TO journeymen who have
worked 10 years at the building trade.
Mr. Bird suggested a change in the sec
tion bearing upon the election of a build
ing inspector, to have the mayor appoint
and making it possible for the mayor TO
remove an incompetent man; also, that
the only persons eligible shall be master
builders, who have been in business seven
years, and architects and engineers who
have worked thereat for three years.
The Master Builders Association sug-
gested corporate surety for the Inspector;
that it shall be optional with the building
Inspector as to whether plans shall be
submitted with an application for a
permit.
Mr. Bird thought II would be wise to
require plans for certain size buildings
to be filed with the Inspector.
S. J. Newman suggested that the iosts
be used as the basis for measurement for
dwellings, instead of the curb line.
James keenan, suggested a commission
OF three to settle disputes.
Mr.. Bird suggested that in such cases
the mayor appoint an arbitration COM
mission TO consist Of the city engineer, q
disinterested master builder and a bust
ness man, to receive 81 apiece, their de-
cision to be final.
Philemma Chandler suggested a per.
manent commission to be appointed by
the mayor.
The Philadelphia law places the matter
in the hands of three disinterested experts
II was suggested by Councilman Lyon
that the ordinace be made clear to show
that a person improving a property shal
protect the adjoining property.
Mr.. Keenan, suggested the striking on
Of the part Of the ordinance making tn
building inspectors decision, as to dis
putes, final.
Mr.. Newman suggested that the p, +
l. w. railroad and Chrstiana River o
the south and the B. l. o. railroad an
Park Drive, on the north, be made tn
fire limits, the application to be to manu-
featuring establishments.
Col. Moore said the new plant that
coming to the South Side will requir
some frame sheds and he wants TO put Il
a building, 60x60, which cannot be {
iron, as he wants to throw open the sid,
in summer. He did not want to see fran
dwellings, but thought framework shoul
be allowed at manufacturing establish
ments
Joseph s. Hamilton said the reuuir
ment might be made that such building
be within a specified distance of adioinir
properties.
Mr. Newman said the fire limit was n,
intended for dwellings, but for manufa
turing establishments, which will requ
some frame buildings. It was not a pc
sonal matter with the builders but on
TO protect the manufacturers.
Mr.. Bird suggested that the fire lin
exclude the section between Brandywil
Park and Brandywine River.
Il was suggested by A. S. Reed thi
there should be a limit for the erection
. shed, the present distance being eig
feet. Some of those present thought Il
matter should be left with the discretiC
ol the building Inspector while othe
thought it should be II feetIfrom the cur
he object is to protect pedestrians
building operations.
Mr.. Newman suggested that Delawa
pine be permissible for piling.
Mr.. Connolly, on behalf of builder n
present, suggested a change so as TO ma
It unnecessary to cut piling off where tn
have a fat surface under water.
Some OF the builders present object
TO this, on the ground that the top Of
piling is generally battered and requil
cutting.
Mr.. McCafferty said his employer ban
pillng thus protecting the tops.
Mr.. Hamilton suggested that all stoI
work between December lst and Mar
LIST he laid in Portland cement.
Mr. Bird suggested thar there being
gwen thcknes- Tor ietaisng walls D
less than $40 oi Iis He gnt
llr hira also ggesLed that buildl
materials prohibited should be specih
more definitely, also that the ere test sn
DE 200 degrees Fahrenheit
The suggestion was made BY Mr. H
that in concrete work the owner PROV
for proper supervision of the concre
He also suggested cutting out the sect
limiting the length Of beams and grid
IN concrete floor construction.
Mr.. Newman suggested that the use
wooden cornices at the tops of buildiI
and on show windows and bays he allow
on three-story buildings, as well as ty
story buildings. In a bay window
ceeding four feet he thought there shoi
be an iron beam between the girders,
carry the upper weight.
NT. Bird thought il thus should apply