The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-04-18
Alderman German Proposes
0ae to Prevent Structures
Being Msnaoes to Others
BOARD OF TRADE BACKS IT
COMMISSION TO REVISE BUILD
ING LAWS sUGGEsTED-METH-
obs OF STRENGTHENING
woueEs-MoMEY FOR PARKS.

At the request of the Board of Trade,
Alderman German at last nights meet
ing of the Aldermen offered an ordinance
to the effect chat the Building Inspector
should not issue a permit for the erec-
Eon of a building which might become a
nuisance or menace to other buildings
until description of the proposed build
kng should be posted in the rooms of the
Board of Trade and FIVE other places for
a fixed time, in order that the character
of the proposed building might be inves-
tigated Mr.. German is one of Mayor
Fagan's supporters. Alderman Sheehey,
Democrat, moved to refer the ordinance
10 the Committee on Laws and Ordi-
Eanees. which was done.
The ordinance. Mr.. German said, was
INTENDED to prevent the erection of fimsy
buildings, especially frame ones. Later,
Mr.. German introduced resolution pro
lviding for commission to revise the
building ordinances-the commission to
consist of Edlow Harrison, a well-known
tcivil engineer; William Robertson, Jr.,
who built the new High School; John T.
Rowland, IT,. the public school architect,
land Hugh Roberts. architect of the Jel-
sey City schools.
: Alderman Allerdice. who is leader of
Ahe Democratic Dickinson combine in the
Board, moved that the resolution be re-
ferred to committee consisting of All
fderme1 Allen, Barr and Weir. They are
men who are interested in the building, !"
said Mr.. Allerdice, "and should be al
lowed ts consider the matter. They rep
resent various interests in the building
trade and profession" Mr.. Allerdice's
s1notion was carried by vote of II to 4.
Mr. German insisted that the matter
should be attended to as soon as possible
for the revision would take considerable
I time, Meanwhile number of frame
buildings would be erected within the fire
limits that would prove nuisances.
The question cropped out again when
reference was made to the ordinance reg
ulating the sheathing of buildings. On
this subject Mr.. Simmons, member or
q committee of the Master Carpenters
and Builders Association. was asked to
address the Board. He said that the
unanimous sentiment of his associates to
the effect was of no particular value.
My theory" he said. s'is that sheathing
strengthens a building. The Queen Anne
style of house can hardly be built with
I0ut it. owing to peculiarities of it's con-
uructien, in which the sheathing acts as
bracing. The strength Of a building is
In its bracing and where sheathing is
used there is little bracing. The poor
man who earns a moderate salary and
WhU wants 10 Duuu nome SHOulu Hot
Be- saddlsd with a useless expense of sew
Iecai hundred dollars, and legislation
should not be continued at his expense.
the subject was laid over for further
Wikcussion at the next meeting. the third
lsraesday in May.
Awesohstion offered by Alderman Shee-
Isy, asking the Board of Finance for an
sapprepriakion of $4,000. of which sum
$4,000 to be used TO establish new
lpafiss and $1,000 each for two new down
rtewn parks equipped with gymnasiume
was laid on the table by "a vote of 8 TO 6,
Alderman -AIlerdice's resolution asking
the Finance Board to appropriate suffi-
sisnt money for the construction Of one
cse more recreation piers along the wa
ter front was carried unanimously.
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