The Washington times., 1906-06-24
HARDSHIP ON BUILDERS.

In line with this contention is the
further argument that II IS an unnec-
essary expense 20 builders to require
that party walls between such struc-
lures as the smaller houses shall be
thirteen inches thick. Many men con-
versant with the matter claim that a
nine-inch thickness is ample.
The whole revision proposition. al
though agitated and brought about by
a class of architects and builders whose
interests were more or less affected,
Building Inspector Ashford says. is the
result of building evolution, Of the de-
sire to meet changed conditions; and
that whatever the committee offers the
public in the way Of revised regulations
will be shaped with care. thought. and
experience, and the result is bound TO
produce untold good
Views of MT. Saul.
b. r. Saul. president OF the B. f.
Saul Company. real estate. said:
''One Of the most important things for
this committee TO consider is the ques-
tion OF taking such action as will reduce
the cost of building small houses. that
IS. such houses as the laboring man
will be able to rent. The committee
Npula w well " AAaAAAG SUN 4N6AA
tions as will reduce the cost of these
buildings and at the same time make
them safe and sanitary.
The tendency has been for some time
past 10 require as much as far as the
building regula tions are concerned. in
many particulars. for the small dwell
ing houses as for the large ones. The
result IS that within the last fifteen
years very few small dwelling houses
have been put in the District that will
rent for less than $15 a month. Let
the committee frame such regulations
as viii permit the building Of small
houses at the least possible cost
For instance. 1t is unreasonable tc
require the same thickness of wall in a
small two-stOry dwelling that is re-
quired In a large four-story building
and for these small houses a nIne-inch
wall would be ample.
Points for the Owners.
LAS for providing light and ventilation
for the large apartment houses, espe-
cialIy those houses where many fam
lies are lodged, the regulations should
be stringent. AS a matter Of fact, gen.
erous provision on the part Of the own
ers for light and ventilation in large
apartment houses would be the econon-
zeal course for them to pursue, owing
to the readiness with which they would
rent.
"On the other hand, the present reg
ulations for light and ventilation affect
ing the small dwellings and two-story
apartment houses are too stringent. The
records OF the Office Of the Inspector OF
Buildings viii show that since the
present regulations on light and venti-
lation went into effect. practically nc
small twO-story apartment houses have
been built. And it should be remem-
bered that this type Of house is ex-
tremeiy popular, there being a great
demand for them at all times.
Demand Is Urgent.
Unless some change is made in the
present building regulations, 1 do not
see what viii become of those poor
people who want cheap houses or apart
ments. Such buildings are not being
put up now and the new law for the
demolition of insanitary buildings Is
slowly diminishing the number already
up.
Therefore, it seems necessary that
some regulations should be gotten ont
which will allow of safe, sanitary. and
at the same time reasonably cheap
small dwellings
Thirteen-inch division walls, in the
opinion of r. Harrison johnson. senior
member of the firm of r. H Johnson &
&C., in the construction of tyvo-storv
houses, as the present building regula-
tons require, are without reason and
put the builder TO much unnecessary
expense. He advocates that this section
Of the building regulations is worthy
Of attention by the revision committee
and intimates that a return TO the
former regulations permitting the con-
struction of nine-inch division walls
would be welcomed by builders gen.
orally.
Thick Walls Not Necessary.
at seems to me. as I have observed
the construction OF buildings" said Mr..
johnson, that It is not only unreason-
able and unjust to compel the erection OF
thirteen-inch division walls. but I know
that Il puts the builder to additional and
unnecessary expense. I cannot see that
thirteen-inch walls add any needed
strength or give better fire protection.
think, too, that TO require. in the con-
struction Of three-story houses. a divi-
sion wall of greater thickness than nine
inches above the second floor is parti-
cularly unjust. If the building laws
aim at durability and strength alone.
then it would be as well to compel
twenty or thirty-inch walls as thirteen
inch ones
"As far es age is concerned, I have