The Washington times., 1909-10-07
BUILDERS WIN FIGHT
FOR NINE7INCH WALL
Regulations Will Be Amend
ed With the New Pro-
vision.

The new building regulation viii he
amended so as 10 permit the erection Of
9-inch instead OF 10 inch party walls IN
two-story buildings. according 20 an an
pouncement OF Commissioner Judson al
hearing In the board room Of the Dis
trict Building today.
The hearing was given In order TO per-
init an expression of opinion regarding
the proposed new ordinances. which
though In printed form. have not vet
peen formally adopted by the Commits
sioners, ana was attended by architects
builders. contractors business men, and
representatives or various civic organlz-
ations
In adopting the suggestion concern
Ing nine-inch party walls, which was
advocated by all present. the Comis-
sioncrs agreed 10 the most important Of
the changes under consideration. As an
argument in favor Of its adoption. y. r.
saul. chairman OF a committee Of the
Chamber OF Commerce appointed to con-
slider the regulations. said that the cost
OF building operations has increased
from 30 to 20 per cent in the last ten
years and that under present conditions
It Is almost impossible to build a house
to sell for less than 5000.
VIII Lessen Cost.
To permit the erection OF nine-inch
walls he decla ed will lessen the cost
OF the cheaper class OF dwelling, which
though in the first instance is paid by
the builder. ultimately falls upon the
consumer
Mr., Saul also presented the recon-
mendatiOn Of the committee that apsrt-
NHNs e..
stories, or where they contain only one
apartment on a floor and are more than
three stories shall have brick or fire
Froof partitions enclosing public hall
ways, stalTcases, elevators and dumb
walters. Also that each floor area Of
100 feet and more be enclosed in a fire
proof partition. and that all bearings be
OF brick. iron or steel or other suitable
non-cpmbusuble material. and that fir-a-
proof stairwaYs be required in buildings
four stories or over, and I'm three-stOrv
buildings where the area per floor eX-
cceds $500 square feet
As the representative of the Bright
wood Park Citizens Association. w
NICK Clayton entered q nObjectfon 10
the charge of a fee for minor repairs.
and urged thar the new regulations be
Jricts.
fsi;Iny homes are being erected in
Maryland and Virginia. he said. because
the owners find the regulations of the
ADAoAAA@A AbV HlAlEts
May Do So Later On.
In reply, Commissioner Macfarland
said that the Commissioners are con-
sidering abolishing the fee for minor re-
pairs, but. as Congress has provided
that the office Of the Building Inspector
be self-supportn they have deferred
such action in order 10 determine the
amount Of revenue TO be expected from
other sources
mat section requiring that mortar be
made one-half cement and One-half lime
was objected to by Maurice Fitzgerald
He said that his thirty years Experience
as a builder has shown that nine-inch
walls containing a lime mortar were
IN many instances OF better construction
than the thirteen-lnch walls
Suggestions concerning the regulations
were offered also by r. j. H. johnson,
president Of the Suth Washington Ciu-
Zens' Association. Bates Warren rem
resentiug the Master Builders Associa-
uOn. George G. Hough. r. s. Car7nody
and i. +. Edwards. all Of which. the
Commissioners said. will be considered
before the ordinances are formally
adopted