The Washington herald., 1908-07-30

/ Unrestricted agreement Of men in all
branches Of the Office OF the inspector OF
buildings Of the District marked the hnal
day Of the examination OF the Commis-
/ sioners into the working methods and
needs Of that Office yesterday, especially
on the proposition TO license all builders
and architects in the city, and to issue
building permits only TO those holding
such licenses
Two OF the field inspectors-J- 3. Clark
and J P Perry-and Henry Storey, su-
perintendent OF repairs on public build
| ings. were called before the board 10
describe their respective duties and meth
| DDS Of work. Mr.. Story told Of the work
Of the repair end OF the ofice, and when
asked for suggestions for Improvement
OF the system complained Of the rule OF
Congress preventing him from purchas-
ing repair material in the open market
Complains of Small Salaries.
The Two inspectors spoke on the need
Of a larger field force Tor inspection and
Of the small size Of the inspectors sal
aries as compared with the incomes Of
mechanics OF similar ability. Clark is
the man who had the work OF inspecting
the Inflated Pickford apartment. which
collapsed some weeks ago.
After all the branches OF the building
department had been explained to the
Commissioners by these men. added 20
what has been brought out IL the two
days OF examination preceding. the presi-
dent Of the board asked the Assistant
Engineer Commissioner, Capt William
Kelly, who IS closely in contact with the
Of
matter as a whole. He confirmed the
recommendation Of the inspector in IA
vOr Of the legislation already recommend
ed BY the Commissioners. the increase Of
force, and the better arrangement Of
salaries
Revision Work Finished
Capt Kelly stated that the revision OF
the building regulations. which has been
in progress by the committee on revision.
appointed more than a year ago, has
been completed. and that already some
sections have been delivered. which. after
consideration by the Engineer Commis-
si0ner. viii be presented 10 The COmmis-
sioners for their action.
In commenting upon the examination.
after the board had adjourned, Commls-
siOner 8Iacfarland said
I've have made a thorough examina-
tion Of the organization and business
methods Of the inspector OF buildings de-
partnenr and will now consider what
changes should be made, with a view 70
Improvement The matters requiring the
action OF Congress have all been brought
TO its attention heretofore by the Com
missiOners. but We now have stronger
arguments for them as the result OF this
inquiry
They include recommendati0ns Of
legislation providing for the licensing OF
architects and builders. and that in all
large constructions a clerk Of the works
shall be maintained on the building con-
stantiy by the owner, and that a rnunici-
pal architect shall be established 10 have
supervision OF the planning. construction,
and repairs Of all District buildings
In addition 10 these measures We shall
renew our recommendations for Increase
Of the force and suggest better arrange
ment Of the salaries. so as 10 give re
wards. by promotion. for faithful serv-
Ice. The statements Of the Inspector OF
buildings show clearly that our building
inspectors Office is undermanned, under
paid. and Overworked. as compared with
similar Offices IN other cities Of a sim
liar character. The inspector Of build
ings himself should be relieved OF the
Wcrk which the munlclpat aIcnlIecL WOllQ
do. and which he states. now takes one
third Of his time so thar he could give
that time b the inspection Of the plans.
construction and repairs Of private build
ings. II these improvements had all been
authorized by Congress. the accident az
the PlckfOrd apartment house might have
been averted- It is evident that the pres
ent employees work overtime. and in some
cases SUnG5ys and holidays. and thai
otherwise current work could not be
done