Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-28
Building Inspector Says Force
Can't Cope With Duties.
EXAMINATION is BEGUN
Ashford Tell Commissioners How
Many Men He Needs.
WANTS MUNICIPAL ARCHITECT
Every Employe of Department to Be
Called Upon to Explain OPP
erations Of Office.

The inadequacy OF the building depart
ment force to properly cope with the
work assigned to that branch of the gov
eminent was explained by SnowdeH ASH
ford, inspector of buildings. in his testi-
mony before the Commissioners yesterday
afternoon
The Commissioners have commenced an
examination into the business methods
of the Office of the building inspector.
Each employee of that department will be
called on to tell what he knows OF the
operations of the office.
Ashford alone testified at yesterdays
session.
Following the Pickford apartment house
disaster. in which the building depart
ment figured so prominently. the Com
missioners announced that they would
make a rigid investigation into this office.
Yesterday they announced that their pro-
ceedings are to be in the form of an ex-
animation.
Quizzed by Mr.. Mcfarland.
The proceedings yesterday were con-
Quoted in a most informal manner. The
three Commissioners, Capt. Kelly. as
sstant engineer commissioner. in charge
Of the building department, and news
paper reporters gathered about a table in
small room on the third floor and, with
no outsiders" present, heard what Ash
ford had to say about his Office.
Nearly all the quizzing was done by
Commissioner Mcfarland. From ques-
tons propounded by him 1t Is evident he
has studied up the building department
preparatory to this investigation.
Commissioner Mcfarland succeeded n
getting Ashford to admit that In many
respects the methods of the local depart.
ment are not up to the standard of other
cities.
The building inspector explained that
this is due to an inadequate force and
the failure of Congress to provide suf-
hcient funds with which to employ high
priced men. or to employ temporary men
of high technical training when the emer-
gency requires. He also gave his opinion
that there should be municipal archi-
tect to supervise all building work in
connection with public schools.
This proposition was included In the
commissioners annual estimates to Con-
gress for the present fiscal year. Con-
gress saw fit to eliminate the item from
the appropriation bill.
Equipment OF Office.
Ashford stated that there are eight field
inspectors in the budding department,
two computers, two elevator inspectors,
one fire escape inspector and the office
force"
The field inspectors, Mr.. Ashford said.
cover the whole District. Some of them
have an individual territory of six square
miles. Each has on an average of 100
buildings to inspect at all times
Ashford declared that 1t is impossible
for an inspector to visit the same build
ing more than once in every nine days
He said that these men are required to
investigate information from the health
office relative to the existence of frame
sheds in alleys, an additional hardship,
he believes.
1T strikes me- Ashford said that IL
should be the duty of the health depart
ment to furnish the name of the owner
OF the shed, and therefore save my men
that extra labor"
Have you ever called this matter to
the attention of the health Office Conn
missioner Mcfarland asked. Ashford re-
piled that he had not
Ashford told of the delays experienced
by builders. architects and others in pro-
curing building permits.
Because of the small force and the
time required to go over the plans SUBJ
m1tted it takes considerable time to issue
a permit to build" Ashford said There
are on an average of 100 people day
who visit my office seeking permits or
information Of some kind relative to the
construction of buildings. And to an
swer all these questions takes time"
Force Required for Work.
What would you consider a reasonable
increase for your department in order to
properly cope with the work?'
Twelve field inspectors instead of eight.
school architect, an additional computer
g. chief field inspector to inspect the in
spectors and two additional clerks in the
office"
In connection with the chief field In.
spector to inspect the work Of the in
spectors, Commissioner Macfarland asked
whether Or not the work of the inspectors
Is ever Inspected or If any tab is kept
on them while on the street. Ashford re-
piled that such supervision is impossible
because of lack Of men.
lie said that the two elevator inspectors
are required to inspect go elevators He
considers this almost an impossible task
If done properly.
Confirm Building Inspector.
At this mornings session of the ex.
animation A. NJ. Poynton, assistant build
ing inspector. and Thomas Francis. an
assistant inspector, who supervise the
consideration OF plans for buildings and
the issuance of permits, We're examined
Both agreed that the office force is made
quate to handle all the work, and that
the field force is considerably smaller in
comparison than the departments of other
cities.
In telling the Commissioners of his du-
ties and those of other employees in the
building Office, Francis said that one OF
the most urgent reforms needed is legis.
lation requiring architects and builders to
register He declared that many people
come to the building Office for permits
who are absolutely ignOrant-that they
cannot even read or write.
Yet" said Francis, I'VE are required
to issue permits to them If their plans
conform with the regulations
PoyntOn told the Commissioners that
the building department in this city an
swers more questions comparatively anG
furnishes more Information to builders
and other persons applying for permits
than any building department he knows
of. He stated that the men in the loca.
Office are particularly accommodating IN
their treatment of the public, but because
of this accommodation much time is con-
sumed
Both Poynton and Francis agree with
Ashford that two extra clerks and fouI
extra field men would facilitate matters
Jewels Gone-Value $500.
Coatra1 nNHoa Dofaotixa Woodop ic in