Evening star., 1909-05-25
NEW INSPECTION SYSTEM
Regular Reports to Be Made to the
Proper Officials.
MUNICIPAL ARCHITECTS DUTY
All Reports on Physical Care Of
Buildings Should Go to New OF.
fetal, Commissioner Thinks.

With the object of lettering the physi-
cal conditions of the school buildings OF
the District. Engineer Commissioner Will
liam V. Judson is outlining a new sys-
tenn OF regular inspection of such struct-
lures and reports TO the District officials
responsible for making needed repairs and
changes
The new system is intended to be put
into effect when the new municipal archi-
tect takes up his duties July 1. Under the
District appropriation act providing for
the appointment of a municipal archi-
tect it is prescribed that his duty shall
be ito prepare and supervise the plans
for and superintend the construction OF
all municipal buildings and the repair
and Improvement of all buildings belong
ing to the District of Columbia under the
direction OF the Engineer Commissioner
OF the District OF Columbia"
In keeping with this provision. En-
sineer Commissioner Judson thinks that
all reports regarding the care. repair and
should be sent to him. while reports that
have to do with the care OF the pupils
should be forwarded to the board of edu-
cation, which has the responsibility for
their care. Therefore, he said this morn
ing. 1t is hoped that the janitors will he
placed under the supervision of the Dis
trict officials who have the responsibility
for the care Of the buildings. inasmuch
as the janitors are required to look out
for the physical care of the buildings and
therefore should be In close cooperation
with the District officitls charged with
similar duties.
Monthly Health Reports.
Under the plan which is being worked
out by Engineer Commissioner Judson
there will be monthly reports from in
spectors of the health department re-
garding the sanitary conditions of school
buildings and changes needed to better
those conditions. 1t Is also desired that
periodical inspections shall be made by
fire department officials to determine the
safety of structures from fre-danger
standpoint. Reports regarding needed
physical changes in the buildings. II is
planned. will be sent to the municipal
architect through the Engineer Comm:s-
sioner. Reports regarding the fire drill
efficiency. as relating to the children. will
be forwarded to the board of education.
With an official in the District govern
ment charged with the duty of caring for
the school buildings and not charged with
the duties of general building inspector
as well, Maj. Judson said today. 1t will
be possible for the new District Official
to keep In close touch with the needs
and requirements of the school buildings.
and he will be greatly aided by the re-
ports which Maj. Judson hopes to be able
to get from the health and fire depart
ments.
Avoid Divided Responsibility.
The reports will contain two classes OF
| items. In one class will be included those
needs which require immediate attention.
such as broken water pipe connection.
broken doors or desks or small improve
ments which can be undertaken at once.
In the other class will be Improvements
| which are regarded as desirable, but
which will require large amount Of work
and must wait for further appropriations
from Congress. By having the reports
made direct to the officials charged with
the duty of making the desired or needed
changes, either the municipal architect or
the board of education, il is believed by
Maj. Judson that prompt work will result.
The object of the new plan. Maj. ~Judson
said, is to promote closer cooperation be-
tween the District officials and the school
officials and to insure smoother relations
between the two parties with divided
authority over the schools. 1t is hoped
that the new plan will provide a marked
line of separation between the duties OF
the two groups Of officials and thereby
prevent any overlapping or any neglect by
dispute as to responsibility for certain
work.