The Washington herald., 1909-01-16

blow wss aimed at the District gov
ernment yesterday when Representative
MoGavin. OF Illinois. a member Of the
House District Committee. introduced a
resolution in the House calling for in
formation from the Commissioners as
70 what extent the law compelling FIRE
escapes and fire appliances has been
oDeyed.
The resolution was introduced follow
Ing the appearance Thursday OF several
owners OF agents Of fireprOOf buildings
before the House District COMMITTEES,
with view OF obtaining an amendment
70 the law enacted March Is. 1876. so as
10 exempt certain hreproof buildings. at
the discretion Of the Commissioners II
was stated that the law had been disre-
garded by the owners Of several build
ings. who thought eventually the pro
posed amendment would be passed.
Visits Building Inspector.
Mr. McGaviu visited the Office Of the
building inspector yesterday morning be-
fore drawing up his resolution and OBJ
tained the information that nearly 1,2o0
buildings in the city come under the law.
Fireproof Office buildings are exempt
The building inspector told the Repre-
sentative that since the enactment Of
the law no buildings had been construct
ed in the District that did not meet the
provisions, as no permits would be is
sued where the plans did not come up 10
the requirements. AZ 20 the construction
Of fire escapes on buildings already stand
Ing at the time Of the passage Of the
bTL Mr.. McGavin was unable TO obtain
the information re desired. He was told
that under the law fourteen prosecutions
had resulted, and that IS5 examinations
OF buildings had been made.
Asks for Report.
Representative AIcGavin's resolution Dr.
rects the Commissioners Of the District
10 report 10 the House what steps have
been taken to enforce the law requiring
the erection Of fire escapes in certain
buildings in the District Of Columbia,
enacted March ls, 1876, and amended
March ?. 1867
The resolution gives the text OF the law
and declares that Il has come 10 the
House that many buildings coming with
in the provision OF the act are now and
have been since the passage Of the
act without fire escapes. alarm gongs.
safety appliances. and other means OF
protection against FIRE required by the
act
Information Requested.
The Commissioners are directed, there
fore, "a furnish the following informa-
ton:
The approximate number Of buildings
within the District Of Columbia coming
within the provisions OF this act; the
number OF inspections made Of such
buildings. the number OF notices sent to
owners or agents Of said buildings. as re-
Quired by the act, and whether or not the
apartments known as the Cumberland,
Farragut. Brunswick, Stoneleigh Court.
Cairo. Connecticut. Ontario. Kenesaw,
IrOqRois. Alabama. Plymouth. and Lenox.
and other large apartment houses have
been equipped with FIRE escapes, alarm
gOngs. fire hose FIRE extingUishers. and
other appliances for the protection
against IRE as required in the act; what
prosecutions. If any. have been CON-
menced against violatOrs OF the law, II
any, and the reasons why steps have not
been taken 10 enforce the law against
such large apartment houses as those
mentioned. If no such steps have been
taken7--