The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-29
LICENSE BUILDERS.
INSPECTORS ADVISE
Complain, Under Investiga-
ton, of Having Too
Much Work.

Niad4i'iVuS lhuoI6tInenI OF the pop
! osit-on 10 license architects and build
ers, and to issue building permits only
to those holding such licenses. is given
by the officials Of the Building De-
partment which Is undergoing an in
vestigaticn by the Commissioners
Questioned closely by Commissioner
Mcfarland on this point. every man
! thus far examined has said that he is
| heartily in favor of such legislation rs
a means OF insuring the use of good
materials. and placing the response
bility for the erection Of a building on
one person
That the inspectors Of the BuilGins
| Department receive less pay than an
ordinary mechanic who works only
eight hours day. was the statement
made 10 the Commissioners today by
J B. Clark, Assistant Building InsDec-
tor.
Mr.. Clark said that he has 800 build
ings in course Of construction under
observation. and that It Is impossible
10 visit each oftener than once in eight
or nine days. His days report, he said,
is always written at his home, outside
OF office hours
Similar testimony was offered by As
sistant inspector J. p. Sperry, who COW
ers the central portion OF the city, in
which there are always one or two
large buildings in course Of erection. To
thoroughly inspect such a building. said
Mr.. Perry. requires an hour and a half
Each floor is inspected. and the work
as it progresses IL watched closely un-
I'll the building is under roof. MI
Perry said that he also wrote his re-
ports at home, and that he is frequently
called upon 10 inspect materials and
buildings before reporting at o'clock
at the office
Henry Storey, superintendent Of re-
pairs, whose work is confined 10 the
supervision OF the inspection Of public
buildings, such as school houses, sta
ton houses, engine houses, etc, sug-
gested as a means OF eXpediting the
work, the purchase Of materials for
repair in the open market.
There IS at present. he said. delay IN
the delivery Of flooring on the part Of
the contractor Under the present law
the bids for materials must be adver-
tiSed and awarded 10 the lowest bidder
The Commissioners probably will con-
clude their investigation Of the build
ing department this afternoon. As an
nOunced by Engineer Commissioner
Morrow, number Of changes, involv-
ing a transfer of certain officials TO
other positions, viii follow.
MdCIdIlduQ statement
In commenting upon the investigation
today. Commissioner MacfarIand said:
I'VE have made a thorough examina-
ticn Of the organization and business
methods Of the Building Department.
and will now consider what changes
should Je made, with a view 10 i'm
provement. The matters requiring the
action OF Congress have all been
brought to it's attention heretofore by
the Commissioners. but we now have
stronger arguments for them as the
result of this inquiry
They include recommendations 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 build
ing constantly by the owner, and that
a municipal architect shall be estab-
lished to have supervision of the plan
ming. construction, and repairs Of all
District buildings.
"In addition to these measures we
shall renew our recommendation for
increase Of the force and suggest a
better arrangement of the salaries so
as to give rewards by promotion for
faithful service. The statements Of the
Inspector Of Buildings show clearly that
our Building Inspectors office is under
manned and underpaid and Overworked,
as compared with similar Offices in
other cities OF a similar character.
1.-THE Inspector Of Buildings himself
should be relieved Of the work which
the municipal architect would do and
which he states takes now one-third
of his time, so that he could give that
time to the inspection of the plans. and
constructions and repairs of private
buildings.
eff these improvements had I been
authorized, by Congress the acc snt az
the PiCkfOrd apartment house might
have been averted. It is evident that
the present employees work overtime
and in some cases on Sundays and holi-
days. and that otherwise the current
work could not be done"