Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-13
ASK TO Be REGULATED.
Owners Want No CombustibIes
in Apartment Houses.
WOULD PROHIBIT STORAGE
Propose Test Case to Hold Up Fire
escape Law Until Revised.
HEARING AT DISTRICT OFFICE
Commissioners Advocate Modifica-
ton Of Legislation and Will Con-
slider Plan Suggested.
HEARING AT DISTRICT OFFICE

That the District Commissioners adopt
a new regulation affecting them was the
unique request made this morning at a
public hearing in the boardroom of the
District building by representatives of the
owners of fireproof apartment houses in
the District.
Bates Warren and T. F. Schneider. both
owners of fireproof buildings. requested
that the Commissioners make regulation
prohibiting the storing of combustible ma
terial in the Easements of apartment
houses
'It is unique in my experience" de-
clared Commissioner Mcfarland. for
body of citizens to suggest a new regula-
ton which will affect them. Usually reg
ulations must originate with the Com
missioners.'
Regulation May Be Adopted.
Both Commissioners mcfarland and
West declared themselves in favor OF
such a regulation. 1t is probable it Will
be formally adopted soon.
The owners of the f1reproof apartment
houses appeared before the District heads
toask that the Commissioners appeal to
Congress to amend the flre-escape law
so that fire escapes will not be required
on fireproof structures. 1t was contend
ed that fire escapes are unreasonable,
unnecessary and Disagreement on fire-
proof buildings.
Mr.. Macfarland's Statement.
Commissioner Macfarland stated at the
close of the hearing:
1.-The Commissioners have been obliged
by lack of sufficient inspectors to enforce
the fire escape law gradually and. OF
course, applied it to the non-fireproof
buildings first. Now they are coming to
the end Of the list of non-fireproof build
ings and sending out notices as to fire.
proof buildings. They could not suspend
the law.
Meantime they have approved propo-
sitiOn to amend the law so as TO give
them discretion as to applying 1t to fire.
proof buildings.
-"They will be willing to advocate that
amendment before the committees OF Con-
gress
.They will consider the proposition
made to make a test case by injunction
and suspend action until the test case
was decided.
Proceedings at Hearing.
Commissioner mcfarland at the hear
ing explained that the Commissioners
had advocated before Congress an amend
ment to the fire escape law leaving 1t to
the discretion of the Commissioners
whether fire escapes are needed on fire
proof buildings, and that they would con-
tinue to advocate such q change.
But the question now is, What are we
going to do until the change in the law is
nader declared Commissioner Macfar-
land.
In reply to the question several answers
were made. One Of the owners OF fire.
proof apartment house contended that the
Commissioners should not try to enforce
the law as regards such buildings. An
other suggested that an inexpensive
"chain" fire escape be allowed by the
Commissioners as nominal compliance
with the law.
Still another suggestion was that an in
junction suit should be brought In the
courts by one of the owners of fire proof
buildings and, by appeal from one court
to another. hold up the enforcement Of
the law until Congress took some action
The suggestion of a regulation prohibit
ing the storing of combustible material In
the Easements Of apartment houses was
also made in that connection. 1t was
argued, as that is the only source OF
danger i'm a fire proof apartment. the
regulation would, il enforced. amply pro-
vide against disastrous fires In any of
them.