Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-27
FEES NOW TOO H|CH2.
Kicks on New Building ReguIa-
tions Are Expected.
BIG INCREASE IN RATES
Local Contractor Airs a Fine Young
Grievance.
USED TO PAY 81; NOW IT'S $500
Other Changes in Building Rules
Expected to Meet With Approval
and Operate for Good.
USED TO PAY 81; NOW IT'S $500

revised building law Of the District when
the Commissioners meet October l to
adopt the regulations which have been
prepared. Several days ago Engineer Com
missioner Judson sent to the committee
OF ten citizens, appointed by former En-
gineer Commissioner Biddle to recon-
mend changes in the building laws copies
of the new regulations which the Com
missioners hope formally to adopt on the
first day of the coming month. The men,
bers of this cOmmittee-James L. Parsons
Samuel w. Woodward. F. L. Averill,
Thomas w. Power. DR.. George NJ. kober.
Leon Dessez, w. B. Upton, Appleton r.
Clark. Nathaniel P. Wilson and Joseph
Richardson-are expected to oppose the
new regulations.
Some Kicks Are Expected.
AS whole it is believed the resula-
tons are all right, but several provisions
are objected to as increasing the burden
of taxation on the people of the District.
The fact that the regulations are so good
In the main Is suggested as the best
reason why they should be made model
throughout and thus give satisfaction to
all persons who may have business with
the building Office.
That section of the regulations relating
to the charges for the inspection of new
buildings and alteration of old, which was
cided opposition Under the old regula-
tons the inspection fee for the erection
of new building was 81. This fee was
the same whether the building contained
new regulation now in effect and which
the Commissioners propose to adopt per-
manently the cost of inspection is fixed
at One-quarter of a cent per square foot
for each floor of the building. including
the basement.
Views Of a Builder.
One builder. commenting upon this regu-
lation, suggested this charge should be
reduced as ii served to make the tax
payers of the District Of Columbia pay
the whole expense of the building in
spectOrs' office, when Congress was sup
posed to pay one-haif of the cost. He
declared that in this instance the people
of the District were being taxed beyond
all reason and that the matter should re-
ceive the careful consideration of the
Commissioners.
This builder pointed out that recently.
when he erected a building, instead Of
paying " for inspection he paid 500. In
another instance he sad he paid $11B. He
believes these fees are exorbitant and
shows that the District government is
inspecting for nothing the buildings erect
ed by the national government, and
charging District residents the maximum
amount to keep up the efficiency Of the
office.
The regulation with reference to alter
atoms now charges 81 for every thou
sand dollars spent in the remodeling of
the building. II the work upon a build
ing costs $5O.OOO 1t was pointed out that
the fee of the building inspectors office
would be 500. Under the former regula-
ton In force the cost was p for the COM
plete inspection.
Fees Were Very Low.
The builder admitted the fee had been
very low heretofore. but believed it had
been Increased out of all proportion.
He commented further on the new reeu-
lation which requires two-story buildings
to have thirteen-inch walls on all four
sides. There could hardly be any obJec-
ton, he thought, to thirteen-inch walls
for tall buildings. but the regulation was
hardship on the man with small funds
who wanted to build a two-story brick
house. as 1t had been demonstrated that
the nine-tnch wall required under the old
regulations was sufficient.
Other Changes Will Help.
The principal other changes in the regu-
lations relate to light and ventilation, and
1t is matter that will operate for the
general good.
Engineer Commissioner Judson expects
that within the next day or so the com
plants and suggestions Of the members
of the citizens committee will be coming
into his office. When received the mat
tiers referred to will be formally brought
to the attention of the Commissioners and
hearing on the subject held.