Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-03
BUILDERS SHOULD Be LICENSED
so STATES TRADE PAPER AP.
PROVING D. C. PLAN.
Example Of Accident Due to Igno-
rance-Competent Contractor
Has Nothing to Fear.

Ever since the proposal advanced last
year by Building Inspector Ashford that
all builders and architects in the District
of Columbia should be licensed much COM
ment has been made upon the plan by
trade journals generally. The proposition
was approved by the Commissioners, but
bill introduced in Congress to make il
effective in law failed of passage. 1t is
understood the same bill will be urged
before the next session Of the lawmakers
on the hill.
The Architects ard Builders Journal OF
Baltimore spoke editorially of the pro-
jected innovation in the District building
laws in Its September issue and had moth
ing but commentator for it. After briefly
reviewing the ends sought to be accom-
piished in the District the Baltimore pub
LEGATION says:
Greater Protection Advocated.
1.-The consensus of opinion is that some
measures should be generally adopted
which would place greater degree OF
protection against reprehensible methods
employed by a class of builders who d. s.
regard the ordinary means OF safety in
carrying out their speculative enterprises
One OF our readers, w. j. MCGEE of Jack
son. Miss, a member of the Mississippi
State Builders. Exchange. cites an in.
stance where he was called upon to make
a
which had fallen during the construction
CT an opera house. He found the stee
beams above the stage opening had been
overloaded twenty-one tons. In another
part of the building the beams were over
loaded twenty-eight tons. Had the result,
Of this overlooking occurred after the
completion Of the building, when it was
occupied by an audience, the consequences
may have been attended by death and
horror fearful TO contemplate. In this
instance the wall fell just after the work
men had quit So. fortunately. no one
was injured. The accident furnishes, how
ever. a strong argument in favor of a law
which Will guarantee that those engaged
in building shall know their business
whether architect, engineer or contractor
Ignorance of technical principles Is
doubtless responsible for many Of the dis.
asters which befall buildings. Matnemat-
ical mtscalculatiOnS OF tensile strength
and the force of superimposed weis hit are
errors more often of Incompetence than
criminal intent. Few architects or build
ers would be guilty Of planning or erect
ing building which they know to be
faulty in construction and which would
be liable to collapse the moment its car
rying power was exceeded. Electricians
are compelled to pass rigid examination
before they are permitted to operate as
contractors in most cities: plumbers are
registered and licensed for sanitary rea-
sons; architects are. in a majority OF
cases. OF proved competence before they
are intrusted with a commission. but there
are no restrictions imposed on the man
VINO enters the building field. except such
resuiations as are provided by the build
ing code in large cities. and which, If not
rlsloly enforced are easily evaded. The
competent builder or contractor has moth
ing 70 iear. and for him a license, while
1t would be oblis atory under general
adoption OF the system. Is superfuous.
But II is to discover and weed out men in
the business who are not competent that
the license idea is suggested '"