The Washington herald., 1908-06-16
MORROW HAS A PLAN
Suggests Method of Prevent
ing Building Disasters.
SAFETY LIES IN THE PERMITS
Grant Them OcIy 10 First
class Builders Who Agree TO EN-
ing OF the Grand Jury Expected by
End of Week-COnference Held.

~ HAoCuAt Allt tIdCllltUl Oh ltklSIHIlDn
prohibiting the granting Of permits to all
except licensed builders is the solution
Of the problem of preventing building ac-
cidents such as occurred at the Pickford
apartment house on Tuesday last. This
was suggested by Engineer Commissioner
Morrow yesterday.
Mai Morrow says II is unwise 10 issue
building permits 10 persons not known to
be practical builders or who are not re-
quired to state that they will hire only
practical and nigh-class builders 10 exc
cute the work
Sought for Three Years.
For three years the Commissioners have
been seeking TO have legislation enacted
whereby builders. architects, and contrac-
tors will be required to pass examinations
for licenses, and TO prohibit all other per-
sons from engaging in the business Of
building. At the last session Of Congress
this act had a fair chance of being passed
until it Is claimed. number Of real es-
tate men and building spectators allied
themselves against It. ard succeeded In
having it defeated, at least for the time
being.
They feared" said Mai. Morrow. such
a law might bring about combination Of
practical builders qualified for licenses
who might boost UP prices for their work,
or otherwise dictate 70 building promoters
and spectators, 70 the financial detrlment
Of the latter"
In anticipating that the grand jury viii
reach its findings by the end of this week
In fy.,e ..rfsn IL.
the cOroner's jury as criminally responsi-
bic for the collapse OF the Pickford apart
ment house, the Commissioners did not
hold their executive session yesterday for
the purpose of determining what their line
OF action would be in their inquiry into
the conduct Of Snowden Ashford, the
suspended building inspector. and the
workings Of his department
However. they held a short conference
and discussed tentative plans of investi-
cation. following which they announced
they will begin to-day 20 collect data on
the subject. Next Monday morning, pro-
viding the findings OF the grand Jury are
IN, the Commissioners investigation VIII
be commenced
OTer from Mr.. Smith.
A letter was received yesterday by the
lDAAAAAAAooAotADA1 NUN IEll kU OLlA CIlllLn,
director Of the Geological Survey. in
which he offered the facilities Of his de-
partment, information and tests Of struc-
tural material in connection with the re-
vision Of the District building regulations.
which has been going on for nearly two
years
The CoQlLnissioners will avail themselves
Of the offer In passing upon the draft of
the revision Of the building regulations.
which the commission of experts appoint
ed two years ago 10 prepare model code.
Is expected to submit shortly.
An outline Of the case against Building
Inspector Ashford, Thomas H. Pickford.
Foreman NJ. J. Blake, and John F. Bayne.
held on a charge OF criminal response
bility. has been completed by Assistant
District Attorneys Charles II. Turner and
Harvey Given. who were assigned 10 the
case.
Investigating Work.
They said yesterday that the work of
investigation is being pushed as rapidly
as possible for its presentation TO the
grand jury, and no one, they say, whether
he was named by the coroners Jury or
not, will be permitted TO escape response
bility.
Experts retained to make a thorough
inspection OF the structure have about
completed the preliminary part of their
work. and are now engaged in the prep
aration Of the report which will be laid
before the grand jury with the evidence
already In the hands Of the district at
torney's Office. IL is rumored that some
startling facts have been brought to light
which were overlooked in the necessary
haste OF the investigation at the inquest