New-York tribune., 1909-07-20
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
THE NEW BUILDING ooDE-oEMENT.
Natural Product, It is Said, frequently Proves
Stronger than Other Varieties,

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: It has been affirmed that the revised build
ing code which was passed by the Board Of Alder
last Tuesday is seriously objected to princi-
pally because of the change made IN the kinds OF
freproofng required the effect being to raise the
cost of construction that the owner of building
VIII have to charge more rent in order to secure
fair return on the investment
IT is also to be noted that the large majority OF
buildings to be erected wherein such fireproofing
would be required will be OF fireproof and semi
reproOf character, used mainly for offices. hotels
and loft buildings for which only the more wealthy
class viii pay rent It is fact, however that The
tenement house, the home OF the poor which GER
tanly should be of as freproof character as pos
sible and at as cheap cost as is consistent with
excellent materials, has been materially increased
in cost by the revision just mentioned
To cite a single example, the use OF natural
cement Is much restricted by the code, and IT
IS a fact that there be obtained III the open
market brands OF natural cement which are almost
equal In quality 10 many brands Of Portland cement
while material Of the latter class be obtained
only at prices considerably above the prices
charged for natural cement
Some natural cements have been known TO so
increase in strength after long period of years as
actually to exceed the strength developed by many
brands OF Portland. Consequently, by restricting
the use Of natural cement the promulgators of the
new code have IN no way enhanced the strength
and safety Of the poor mans dwelling-the only
thing accomplished will be to make him pay more
rent.
Natural cement, commonly known Rosendale
cement has been on the market for seventy-hve
wears and has strength greater than is required
for most building purposes With it were construct
ed such magnificent and lasting monuments as the
Capitol and the Washington Monument, at Wash
ington: the city Han at Philadelphia. the Croton
Auueduct the reservoirs. the Postoftce building
the BROOKLYN Bridge in New York. and. I'm the last
mentioned city, the old Coal and Iron Exchange
on Cortandt street. in the demolition Of which 1t
was necessary TO use dynamite TO tear asunder
the monolIthic bond Of old Rosendale cement and
granite.
great works during the last three-quarters Of a
century. and having been tested by actual use and
found TO have enduring strength, should not now
be condemned without AZ least a fair hearing and
trial What the real purpose Of the provisions OF
the new code against its use? Does not the situa-
tion warrant the asking Of the following ques-
tions"
II natural cement win stand all reasonable
tests and requirements for strength and durability
why should its use be prohibited that character
Il work 70 which II IS particularly adapted?
In whose interest has this been done. and WHY
Natural cement has oeen used on some Of the
oldest and strongest masonry work In New York
II il can be demonstrated that q natural cement
Is a proper and safe article % use in construction
work, Is not the burden OF proof up to those VIII"
prepared the building code 10 show why they
force the use Of more expensive materials? The
main points are the preservation Of health and
the protection Of lie and these should always be
uppernost in the minds Of public servants. The
public are not interested in particular brands
What the public rightfully demands IS absolute
safety in all building construction.
HENRY II. BANKS.
No. IL Greenwich street, New York, July ls 1873