Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-12
HEARING ENDED
Mr. ChatIieId Will Be ReprlmaDd-
ed Before the Board.

| ~ DNAV1S sAsS OV0sWs
: The arguments in the Chatfiel
case closed about o'clock yesterda
afternoon. The board immediatel
retired to consider the evidence an
in the course of an hour announce
the following decision on the tire
charges:
| I.-Incompetency.
(a) Lack of knowledge of tn
| building ordinances of the cit
of Waterbury. Not guilty.
(b) Ignorance of the require
ments in executing said ordl
nances. Guilty.
(c) Improper method of keep
ing records and failure to keel
record as required by sait
building ordinances. Guilty.
(d) Ignorance and neglect O
ordinances as set forth in par
agraphs one and two o
charges. Not guilty of ig
norance. Guilty of negligence
| (e) Permitting the erection o.
two buildings on Porter street
| near the corner of Bank street
Waterbury, on either side o.
a wooden building already ex
listing and contrary to the sale
ordinances. Guilty.
I.-Neglect of duty in failing to
properly inspect the building Oh
Farm street, which collapsed on DC.
tober 5, 1907, and the Costello build
ing on Leonard street. Guilty.
lII.-Violation of duty in grant
ing permit to erect in said Costello
building, the same being a dwelling
house, brick wall more than fifteen
feet high and less than twelve inches
thick. Not guilty.
The penalty is to be a reprimand,
to be administered by Mayor Thor1s
at the next meeting of the board of
safety, which takes place next We'd
nesday afternoon.
1t is Mr. Chatfield's intention now
to make an urgent request upon the
board of aldermen for transportation
facilities or the means to obtain them
in order that he may be able to in
spect every building in process Of
erection as the board has shown him
how they ought to be inspected.
Judge G. H. Cowell was one of
the principal witnesses yesterday,
and he had nothing but good things
to say of Inspector Chatfield. In
fact, the witnesses for and against
have all admitted Mr. Chatfield's abil-
1ty and honesty, but find fault with
the way the Office has been conduct
ed. Judge Cowell is the partner of
the prosecuting attorney, and he
created amusement by stating that
he and Attorney Guilfoile had at
tempted to erect five-story building
at the corner of Leavenworth and
Grand streets, but had been foiled
by the building inspectors insistance
on compliance with the ordinances.
The bringing of the prosecuting Of
nclal into the case as one who had
been the victim of the defendants
zeal in enforcing the law created
mild sensation and considerable
laughter.
The opening argument was made by
Attorney Guilfoile and in the course
OF his remarks he said there is moth
ing on the records of the building in
spector's Office to show what work he
has done the past two years, which
is a direct violation of the city ordin-
ances. He asked If the city engineer
took matters into his own hands as
Mr. Chatfield did and decide not to
keep any records hereafter of his
work. Suppose the health officer or
the sanitary inspector did this or any
other municipal officer, what would
be the result? Chaos, And yet, Mr.
Chatfield is bound as much by the or
dinances as these officials are. Yet
for the past two years there is moth
ing on Mr. Chatfield's books to show
what he has done in the performance
Of his duty except to show that he is
sued building permits. II this is not
a violation of the city ordinances he
would like to know what is.
Then, furthermore, Mr. Chatfield
property owner on West
Porter street to hoodwink him and
violate the building laws and the
same thing occurred a second time
and there is nothing on the records
to show anything about it.
Mr. Guilfoile wished it understood
that Mr. Chatfield was given a public
hearing because the public demanded
Il. Public opinion wondered how
such an occurrence as the Farm street
accident could have occurred and
to know how it did occur
This investigation has showed a ter
-ible state Of affairs. Even Alder
nan Larkin, Mr. Chatfield's friend
,ould not and did not deny II was o |
BAD state Of affairs. The alderman's
description Of the falling floor, OF
he crowd in the building being |
brown together while burning lamps /
ell on them, was a.telling one. What
vas the result? One man has died |
/ number injured, one man was able
% get out only a few weeks ago and
everal are still confined to the house
With their injuries.
Even Mr. Tracy, said Mr. Guilfoile
admitted that at least the main posts
n that Farm street building should
lave been examined. There was
there that should have been
ooked into. A builder of Mr. Chat
ield's experience should have known
hat timber props often bear a false
xterior and II was his duty. there
ore IN examine the one in ouestfon |
Supposing the health officer haC
reated a malignant case Of illness as
Ir Chatfield treated this case of in
efficient support to this house, wha
Tould have been the result? Could
here be any excuse for such negli