The San Francisco call., 1906-05-14

F. A. Maestretti. president of the
Board of Public Works, made the fol-
lowing statement yesterday in refer
cnceA to the inspection of chimneys in
chis city:
Il think all criticism is uncalled for
AT this time. We are endeavoring to
do what is best for the interests of the
community. The Board of Public
Works is working in harmony with the
underwriters. Although the latter have
had $4,000 chimneys examined, 1t really
does not mean they have passed as
safe this great number of chimneys.
Inspectors have visited thousands of
homes and glanced at chimneys and
have notified the owners that the
chtmneys have to be repaired. That
in my opinion, is not chimney In
spection. We don't think these chin
neys have been given a thorough test
To test chimney properly you must
not only examine 1t with the eve of
ali expert, but give it the smoke test
l can cite. two instances where CHM
neys were declared safe and the in
mates built fires in their stoves and
set fire to their own homes and en-
dangered the homes of their neigh
bors. | allude to the fire in Richmond
the past week.
The Board of Supervisors has passed
an ordinance taxing the public the sum
of 81 for certificate of inspection of
chimneys. This tax is necessary, be-
cause there are no funds available to
pay the salaries of inspectors appointed
by the underwriters. All money col
lected for chimney inspection will be
turned over to the Treasurer of the
city and county each night and de-
mands signed by the Commissioners of
the Board of Works will be drawn on
this fund to pay the inspectors of
chimneys.
IF. II. Porter, chief inspector OF the
underwriters. has taken entire super
vision of this work and only inspec-
ton of this kind will satisfy the
Insurance companies. | have recon-
mended many inspectors to Mr.. Porter
and have also rejected at least 100
men because they did not possess the
necessary qualifications for chimney
inspection. When a man is recon-
mended by me he reports to Mr.. Porter,
who in turn subjects him to a close
examination to see if he is qualified.
| If the man is capable of passing upon
! chimneys Mr.. Porter details him to go
with an experienced inspector. who
teaches him the proper method of
examining fucs, etc.
! My whole idea is to prevent fires in
this city. I appreciate the great re-
sponsibilty on my shoulders and do
| hot intend to take any chances by al
lowing fires to be built in defective
! fiucs. II q certificate is issued to a
householder by one OF the new inspec-
: tors ! am in favor of allowing the
1f,, ,<11,s ,s1x- r,f<> ~
because I believe there will be no dan
! ger Of coafla grafton However, no
! certificates will be issued by the Board
of Public Works until we are assured
by the Fire Department that there is
sufficient water in this city to cope
with fire. Nj. Porter and / learned
yesterday that the water pressure In
the neighborhood of Sixteenth end
Howard streets was very light and in
fact the water could not reach a sec
end story. The water problem must be
solved before fires may be built
II would advise property owners to
Immediately have their ch.mneys re-
paired ard to be sure the work is per-
formed by competent workman. Hair
mortar must not be Used in repairing
chimneys Lots Of cement is necessary
to insure stability. Our system cf in
spection will be IN operation by Thurs
day next. There viii be fistena dis
tricts in charge OF the underwriters
and at least dozen inspectors will be
assigned TO each district. All ,-e as,,
Is that the public have .ctience. as
this is a tremendous task and a re-
sponsihle one We don't want any
more fires and we can only avoid con-
flagrations by proper inspection OF
chfmnevs."
1t is estimated by the Boar1 OF Pub
lie Works that stove fires Will be Surn-
irg in nea ly Eoco private hcuses one
week from toiay. After that 1900
housebo,ders daily MY remove their
Kitchens from the curD. BY the first
of June there x,,l he but Title outside
cooking necessary except IN the refu-
gee caropr. Were there is sickne-s
In a house in which ne chin-ney is IN
good con itlon rerrrits will be Issue |
Immediately. Applications Of tris
/ character akou.d he -rede ct the o<slce
of the building comm ttee on the cor
ner OF Colleen Gate srenge and Cough