Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-21
Suggests Amendments.

Because the present regulations require
the issue of permit for plumbing only
when the work to be done is on the ex-
terror of premises it Is suggested that there
should be an amendment SO that permit
would be necessary for installing plumbing
construction inside houses
concerning plumbing repairs and changes
In school houses, the report shows that only
46 cents remained as an unexpended bal
ance at the end of the year out of a to-
tai appropriation for this purpose of $4,000
Inspector Davis points out defect In the
present law requiring abatement Of
nuisances. Under this law he says owners
or agents of properties can wait to begin
repairs until the time limit of the legally
published notice has nearly expired and
thus leave the cost of publication as a
charge against the approximation 1t is rec
commended that the act be amended SO that
the section in question will close with this
requirement, assess the cost of publication,
II any, and the cost of correcting such con-
dition, with all expenses incident thereto
either or both. as tax" etc.
Both the new public convenience stations
IT Is said, will be completed on schedule
time, and the prediction is made that they
will be found to be such great munich
pal Improvement that the two will be
the forerunners of ct least five or
six more. The establishment of pool baths
In public schools is pointed out as most i'm
portant, the inspector expressing the belief
that compulsory instruction in swimming
for both boys and girls would be found TO
be a more valuable part of the curriculum
than gardening. IF swimming had been
compulsory in our schools some years ago
the community would probably have been
spared the series of distressingly fatal acct
dents In the river during each succeeding
summer season., Inspector Davis declares.
An appropriation for the employment of an
official Photographer. whose duty 1t should
be to secure photographs for record, and to
do blue printing for all related departments
or the District, is another of the strong rec
concentrations in the report.
Asks for Increased Salary.
In his estimate sheets Inspector Davis
asks for several salary Increases. He rec
ommends that his own salary be increa sed
from 5000 to 81, 400, and he explains that
the pay of the chief inspector of plumbing
has not been changed since the office was
esta blished twenty-four years ago, while in
tplied many times. Similarly it is requested
that the pay of the principal assistant in
spector, Richard O'Brien, be made S., 400 III
stead of 81 200.
The sum Of 81, 400 is desired for the ap,
p!oyment, during six months of the year,
OF six temporary assistant inspectors of
plumbing at 800 per month each The
transfer OF ]. F. Brady from assistant in
provided In the estimates the position Of
clerk being new one Bradys place, it Is
proposed shall be filled by the appoint
ment of another inspector. Two sewer
tappers. it is pointed out. were inadvert-
emily cut out Of the last appropriation bill,
SO that William Marsden, the present IN
cumbent, could only be paid by assessing
plumbers 40 cents each time service
was rendered. An allowance Of 81 900 to
pay Marsden next year is desired An in
dex clerk at $3.50 per annum is another adj
dition to his office force much wanted by
Inspector Davis
In order that the work of eliminating
defective sewers and plumbing in old
school buildings may be carried on next
year on an even more comprehensive scale
than during the present season, 1t is rec
commended that the appropriation for that
purpose be made $500 900 instead of $45,000.
Other appropriations asked for include
$4,000 for maintenance of the two public
convenience stations; $500 for purchase
of a site for public bath house and $43,-
900 for the construction of bath house
of the shower type. 1t is proposed. that
the new structure shall be located in the
territory bounded by E and L and LIST and
18th streets southeast,