The Washington herald., 1909-10-08
CODE TO Be AMENDED
Builders Win Campaign for
Nine-inch Party Wall.
CITIZENS ATTEND HEARING
Commissioner JudsOn Announces
that New Building Code VIII BE So
Walls Unnecessary In TwO-stOry
Buiidings-FireprOOh Urged.

| According 10 an announcement by
/ Commissioner Judson yesterday morning
at hearing in the board room Of the
District Building. the new building reg
ulations will be amended so as TO per-
NIT OF the erection OF 9-inch instead Of
1S-inch walls in two-story buildings.
The hearing was given in order to per-
NIT an expression OF opinion regarding
the proposed new building ordinances.
which. though in printed form, have not
yet been formally adopted II was at
tended by architects, builders, contrac-
tors, business men. and representatives
OF various civic organizations. In adopt
/ ing the suggestion concerning the 9-inch
party walls. which was advocated by
all present. the Commissioners agreed
10 the most important OF the changes
under consideration.
! Arguing in favor OF its adoption, B. F.
Saul. chairman Of the committee OF the
Chamber Of Commerce appointed to
consider the regulations. said the cost OF
building operations has increased from
30 70 40 per cent in the last ten years,
and that under present conditions II IS
almost impossible TO build a house to
sell for less than 5000 and 10 permit
the erection OF 9-inch walls will lessen
/ the cost OF the cheaper class OF dwelling
which. though IN the first Instance PAID
/ by the builder. ultimately falls upon the
| consumer
FIreprOOhnR Urged.
The Chamber Of Commerce also recon-
mended that apartment houses Of mora
than two stories, or where they contain
only one apartment on a floor, and are
more than three stories in height. shall
have brick or nreproof partitions inelos-
ing public Railways. staircases, elevators.
and dumb-waiters. In addition, that
each floor area OF 1000 feet and more be
! inclosed In flreproof partition, and that
| all bearings be OF noncombustible nate
rial. and that nreproof stairways be re-
quired in buildings four stories or over
and in three-story buildings where the
area per floor exceeds 5000 square feet
/ In reply to an objection entered by w.
Mex. clayton. president. representing the
Brentwood Park Citizens Association.
/ with regard 10 a fee for minor repairs,
| Commissioner mcfarland said the Com
missioners are considering abolishin6 the
! fee for minor repairs, but as Congress
| has provided that the Office OF the Dulld-
| ing inspector be self-supporting' they
! have deferred such action, In order TO
determine the amount OF revenues 10 be
expected from other sources.
/ Several builders at the meeting opposed
I the requirement that mortar shall be
half cement and half lime. Maurice
/ Fitzgerald said that his thirty years ex-
/ porience as a builder has shown that
lnine-iuch walls containing Q lime mortar
were in many instances OF better con-
struction than the thirteen-inch walls OF
/ lime and cement.
! Suggestions concerning the regulations
were offered also by r. ]. NJ. Johnson,
president Of the South Washington Citi-
zens' Association: Bates Warren, repre-
senting the Master Builders Association;
/ George G. Hough, T. S. Carmody. and
y. F. Edwards. all Of whom declared
/ that the present strict building regula-
/ tions enforced In the District have driven
/ the people over the District line. and
that property had been reduced in value
as a consequence.
At the conclusion OF the hearing. the
[ Commissioners announced that they will
I receive further suggestions by mail.