The Washington herald., 1908-07-28

terday afternoon It was at first thought
that the examination. not. being IN the
nature OF an investigation where some
one was accused OF WrongdOing. would
be closed 20 the public and press, but
i was decided 20 have the hearings open
Make 1t Family Affair.
The examination is being carried on In
an informal manner. the Commissioners
and The members OF the department who
are being examined being seated around
two small tables In the small board room
on the third floor OF the District Building.
Inspector Ashford was called upon 10
state the exact conditions existing in his
Office and the size and character OF the
working force which he has al his dis
posaI. His statements and his replies tc
questions from the Commissioners con-
sumed all the time given 70 the matter
yesterday.
aIr. ashford said that under him there
Is a working field force Of eight inspec-
tors OF building construction, 10 cover
The entire CITY. which IS divided into eight
sections for the purpose Six Of these
men cover the parts OF the city in which
the greatest building activity IS existent
Their areas are prOpOrtionately small
These men have provided themselves
with bicycles.
In the other districts, where there Is
less building the remaining two meT
have territories covering nearly six squar,
miles apiece To get over this ground
they have no provision for transportation
other than street cars. and are obliged q
pay for that OUT Of their own pockets
Force Is Inadequate.
With this small and inadequate forc'
the amount Of work falling TO each man
the inspectors said. IS far greater ana
more exhausting than similar work o.
men in any other city IN the country
Each man has from 50 70 100 buildings L,
inspect. which prevents them from visit
ing any building more frequently thar
once in eight OF nine days
Two elevator inspectors, TO DO the worl
OF the city. have 20 inspect about 80 eIe
vators apiece. which. according 10 law
must be visited once eacn three months
Since July 1 an appropriation for one FIRE
escape inspector has made that addition
possible
Questioned as 10 his Office force and
its ability 20 cope with the work. th'
inspector said that he had one principa
assistant issuing al permits where ther'
was no qlestion in regard 20 them, ont
stenographer, doing a clerks work out
side Of his regular duties. and two com
puters. for consideration OF plans submit
ted and TO act as advisers TO field IN
spectors when questions arose as 10 ap
parent violation Of the law.
Besides these men. all Of whom are a
work or permits and inspection OF prt
vate buildings. there are three men CT
the work Of public buildings in the Dis
trict. such as schools. police stations. anC
the like These are a superintendent o
construction. draUghtsnan, and su
perintendent OF repairs. who apDOintI
men under him as the work requires
Wants staR Increased.
When Mt. Ashford had explained th'
personnel and methods Of work OF hi
Office. he was asked what suggestions h
would make for changes therein, with |
view to facilitating the work and per
fectng the system
He recommended an Increase in TIT
number Of field inspectors from eight u
twelve; the appointment OF a chief in
spectOT. with no especial assigned ter
ritory. but whose duty it would be to ac
in emergencies and as Inspector OF IN
spectors, and the appointment Of tw'
inspectors. specialists in their lines. =
exclusively inspect freprOof floors ant
steel work
He claimed that with two additiona
men on the Office force the work coul'
be carried through more speedily ant
with more accommodation 70 the public
With these changes the inspector sai'
that the number OF buildings per in
spector would be so reduced that the!
could visit each place once in every thre'
or four days, which would assure tn
best results that such inspection coult
be expected 10 render.
The recommendation Of the Commits
sioners to Congress TO pass a law re
ouiring all builders and architects to b
licensed and allowing building permiti
70 such persons only. was highly ap
proved by the inspector. That. he said
would assure constant private supervi
sion OF building BY experts. as thel
should be.
He further indorsed the recommenda
tons Of the board 10 Congress for I
municipal architect. who would have tn
supervision Of the construction and, re
pairs OF all District buildings. thus re
Eeviag the inspector of that work. whicl
now consumes at least One-third Of hi
tine and interferes with the main worl
OF his Office
Suggests Graded Charges
Other suggestions made by Mr.. Ash
ford included the formation of a neg
scale Of charges for the Issuance Of per
mits, making the charge according 10 III,
size and cost Of the building: a rear
rangement OF the question Of salaries o
inspectors. so that the men would havt
more incentive TO work for promotion
and stick 10 the department: provision
for transportation OF inspectors. and th'
appointment Of a superintendent O
heating apparatus for public buildings
At the conclusion Of the examination
for the day Commissioner MacfarianC
said that the principle suggestions mad
by Inspector Ashford had already beer
made BY the Commissioners 70 Congress