Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-24
The Fatal Building COLLAPSE.

When the coroners jury tomorrow meets
to investigate the collapse of a steel
building frame, which killed a workman.
1t should seek to learn, first how the
accident occurred and second how it was
possible for the contractors to proceed
with the work without permit OF
these two questions the second is by far
the more important.
When an apartment house in course of
erection collapsed a few months ago the
public was shocked to learn that there was
an lnadequacy of building inspection in
the District, of quantity or of quality,
perhaps both. The fact was plain that
the system of supervision was insufficient
TO guarantee safe construction, and there
is now a strong hope that Congress WILL
in the light of these costly demonStra-
tons, supply the deficiency by increasing
the appropriations, while the Commission
ers maintain the highest possible standard
of efficiency in the building inspection bu-
reau.
Now, it would appear that a dangerous
hiatus exists between the building in
spector's office and the works themselves
4 permit is issued for the preliminary
stages of construction. Thus the District
government is informed formally of the
undertaking, and it is to be assumed that
it inspects and approves the initial work.
Then suddenly the building inspector
learns that work for which no permit has
been issued has been not only begun, but
has progressed so far that a fatal acct
dent occurs. He issues a statement to
the effect that his office knew of no
building in course of construction in the
nni hi a
work alone having been issued and the
work. presumably. passed favorably by
the inspectors. The building inspector
further states that last Saturday an in
spector passing by noticed some defects
in the method of erecting the work." and
called them to the attention of the owner
and engineer. Thus representative OF
the District was aware on Saturday that
work was being done beyond that for
which permit had been issued, but it
was not until Monday morning that the
fact was reported to the office. Then, con-
tinues the building inspector, immediate
ly the principal assistant issued an order
that no further. work should be. done until
permit had been issued"
That order came too late. Had it been
issued Saturday, immedia tely upon the
discovery that work was progressing for
which no permit had been issued and
had it been enforced, Young Hibbs' life
would have been saved. Why this loss
of time in stopping improperly started
work?
The public expects to be informed fully
on these points: What guarantee is there
against unpermitted work being begun
and carried on? Who is responsible to the
building inspector and through him to the
public for such conditions? Are the police
charged with the duty of demanding sight
of building permits before work can pro-
coed? Is the system SO loose, the force
so small, the regula tons so elastic and the
penalties SO inadequate that a builder is
not only willing to take his chances with
out d permit, but is able to do SO with
immunity from punishment until, in the
course of time, a collapse occurs and life
is lost? These wrecks occur so frequently
that the District people are justified in
demanding the most thorough inquiry and
the most far-rea ching reform.