Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-29
i AUKAM UNDER FIRE FORCE IS INADEQUATE G. " SANDS KILLED. T0P BEBE
Near Paris Three EXP
PnwhCM Busy Nn Payment
Of Court Al Fire Are
IWata Investigate % B t Tb
Nd Completes When DgM NJ
ntopn Fall at Dparme
That's What All Building De.
partment Employees Say.
THEY MUST WORK NIGHTS
Plans Must Be Drawn on the Sab.
bath.
EXTRA PAY NOT FORTHCOMING
They're All Kicking and Say 'Tisn t
Their Fault When Structures
-.
Fall Down.

Thus far the Commissioners examina-
ton of the business methods of the build
ing department, which has been under
way three days was concluded today. 1t
merely brought forth testimony to the
eject that the force is inadequate to
cope with the work. The Commissioners
have obtained admissions from depart
ment employees that four more field in
spectors. two more clerks and a school
architect would help things materially.
So the Commissioners will ask for these
additional employees when they submit
their annual estimates to Congress.
AT this mornings session ]. B. Clark
and James P. Perry. field inspectors. tes-
tined as to the nature Of their work. and
Henry Storey. superintendent Of repairs.
described his duties and offered suggestions
as to how his branch Of the building de-
partment could be improved. His chief
complaint concerns the system of buying
material for repair work, and he wants it
improved by giving him authority to pur-
chase material in the open market. This
would save much time, he says. but cam
not be done now owing to congressional
prohibition.
= Mr.. Storey has supervision of all repairs
and alterations on public school buildings,
fire engine houses. police stations and all
trict government. There are more than
200 of these. he told the Commissioners.
Too Much Territory.
Inspector Clark looked after the Pick
ford apartment house. Goth and P streets
northwest. which collapsed recently and
killed two workmen. He said his terri
tory of inspection was unusually large
and that 1t was almost impossible for him
to get around to the same building more
than once In eight days. He believed that
four additional field inspectors would
greatly facilitate matters. While calling
attention to the great amount of work
building department Mr.. Clark said, "Our
salaries are small-less than the wages of
an ordinary mechanic"
Examination Concluded.
Inspector Clark testified in the after
noon that he visited the ,Pickford apart
ment house oftener than ordinarily he
would have done. as his home was with
In few blocks. He said that he made an
inspection about once week, but for a
building of it's size the inspections
should have been more frequent. To
make this possible, however, a larger
force Of field inspectors was necessary.
Soon thereafter the examination was
concluded
Commissioner mcfarland today made
the following statement concerning the
proceedings:
Mr.. Macfarland's Statement.
We have made a thorough examina-
ton of the organization and business
methods of the inspector of buildings
department and will now consider what
changes should be made. with a view to
Improvement. The matters requiring
the action Of Congress have all been
brought to its attention heretofore by
the Commissioners. but we now have
result Of this inquiry. They include
recommendations of legislation. provid-
Ing for the licensing Of architects and
builders, and that in all large construc-
maintained on the building constantly
by the owner. and that a municipal ar
chitect shall be established to have
supervision OF the planning, construc-
ings.'
In addition to these measures we shall
renew our recommendations for increase
Of the force and suggest better arrange
ment OF the salaries: so as to give rewards
statements Of the Inspector of buildings
show clearly that our building inspectors
office Is undermined and underpaid and
oyerworked. as compared with similar Of
fees In other cities of similar character
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 in
spection of the plans and construction and
repairs of private buildings. If these i'm
provements had all been authorized by
Congress the accident at the Pickford
apartment house might have been averted
It is evident that the present employees
work overtime. and in some cases sun
current work could not be done
James p. Perry is another inspector
with large territory both in area and
population. He is required to do much
days work before o'clock in the morn
ing. He also believes that four add.
tional field inspectors would bring the de-
partment up to standard.
The examination was adjourned at noon
until 2:30 o'clock this afternoon.
Hark! Hear the Groans.
At yesterday afternoons session John
P. Healy, a computer. and William L..
Webster. superintendent Of construction,
told Of their duties and Of the duties Of
other employees. Both agreed that the
working force is far too small.
Mr.. Webster says he is a much over
worked official. He does much work at
his home after office hours. and in this
WHY has drawn PLANS for four District
buildings He also said that he had been
compelled to rent a typewriter at his own
expense in order to keep up his records.
He declares that he works on an average
of four nights week without any extra
compensation, and rarely takes a vaca-
ton.
Mr.. Healy is another overworked man.
He said nearly all of the employees of the
building department have more work al
lctted to them than they can attend to-
Many of them have to carry their work
to their homes and finish II in the even
ings. and sometimes work on Sundays
Mr.. Healy stated that he has been so
crowded with work in the last five or six
years that he was unable to take his an
nual leave. He said he had managed to
get few days off each year. but had
nevc- availed himself OF the thirty days
allowed.