Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-13
STOP THE POOR WORK !!
Local Builder Suggests
Changes in the Regulations.
WHY NOT FINE OFFENDERS?
Hard to Make Contractors Stick to
Specifications.
AGAINST MINOR REPAIR FEES
Time It Takes to Get Permit Often
More Valuable Than Cost
of the Work.
AGAINST MINOR REPAIR FEES

IF it is possible to formulate code
of building regulations that will compel
all builders to construct all work in a
workmanlike manner and stop and pre-
vent the poor work. of which much IS
put up at present. l believe all we'll dis
posed builders will thank you. and those
who buy houses will have and are en-
titled to protection just as much as the
public are protected by the sealer OF
weights and measures"
This Is the latest suggestion received by
the Commissioners in regard to the new
draft of the building regulations now
under consideration. 1t is offered by
John H. Lane of 1925 Sd street northeast
a builder of many structures in the Ma
tional Capital
If it is possible to punish by fine any
person in charge of brickwork who fails
to do the work according to the reguia-
lions" he continues. II should like to see
it done. Speaking for myself, the hardest
work on a building is to try to get the
work done by the different contractors
up to the quality required by the specih-
cations.
This Idea Staggers Him.
THE question of joist hangers or stir
rups staggers me- I cannot believe the
man that suggested them has had any
practical experience as a builder. On an
old wall 1 approve of them, but to re-
quire their use on new walls would be
great mistake. Now, as soon as the walls
are ready for the joists they are put on,
forming a brace for the green walls and
a base for the bricklayers' scaffold to be-
gin the next story. To compel the use Of
hangers would add not less than 200 per
cent to the cost Of labor on all floor joists
and still put the weight on the wall and
eral feet ahead Of the joist,, thus adding
to the delay and expense Of the brick
work. Then the building would not be
tied together any better than as now
anchored. AS a protection against fre
the joist can be staggered. although /
have failed to learn Of a single instance
where fire was communicated to an ad-
joining building through the joist ends.
Thinks This Is Unjust.
Regarding fees for minor repairs
wish to say few words. think to re-
quire permit for such is more so. as the
value of time necessary to obtain such
permit is more than the cost Of the re-
pairs in many instances. The burden of
the cost falls at all times on owners
Of the property, many of whom find It
hard to stand the expense. By minor re-
pairs l do not mean the erection Of or
extension or new renee, out the repair
ing Of something for which at some time
a permit has been obtained and paid for.
Something required, such as putting a
few new boards on an existing fence, or
on a porch floor. or steps where the
boards have become decayed or damaged,
or II after calling on the timer to ma .e
repairs to the roof or gutter the timer
finds that before the tin can be repaired
a rotten board must be replaced, it GER
tainly would be unjust to be compelled to
have to get permit before the work can
proceed.