The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-06
MATTHEWS WOULD
CHANGE THE LAWS
Thinks Building Ordinances
Entirely Inadequate
MAKES REPORT FOR YEAR
Year Was s3.013, 1920, An Increase
of Nearly a Quarter Million
Over Last Year

Building Inspector w. o. Matthews,
who was recently reelected at the DEM
ocratic primary, has just completed his
annual report in which he recommends
that the city appoint a commission to
revise the building laws. He declares that
the Birmingham building laws on many
classes of construction are entirely in
adequate.
His report for the fiscal year just ended
shows a total of S96 frame houses built.
The estimated cost of building for the
year is $S,O13, 1925, and increase of nearly a
quarter of a million over the year pre-
vious. Here is the report:
Birmingham, July l, 1910.
To the Hon. Mayor and City Council:
Gentlemen-You will find herewith re-
port of the building department for the
fiscal year ending June so, 1910. This de-
partment has issued 1888 permits for the
following buildings, repairs, etc.
Number frame buildings 500, estimated
cost s1.s2a.179.
Number brick buildings 6, estimated cost
s4s,75o.
| Number brick business houses %. esti-
mated cost $4,000.
Number cement buildings 4, estimated
cost $4,000.
| Number miscellaneous buildings 26 esti-
mated cost s4S3,o00.
| Number alterations and repairs 1910, es-
| timated cost $500, 200
| Number fire escapes %.
| Number electric signs &c.
| Number heating permits 1856.
| Number free permits for repairs, fues
and buildings. costing less than $25, oil.
| Total number of permits 1888.
| Total estimated cost sS,01S,929.
For the year 1908 and 1909, estimated
cost s2,7s5,162.
| Increase for 1909 and 1910, 24S,267.
Total amount of fees collected $4795.9O.
| Expenditures approved $4,000
| During the year 81 notices were served
for dangerous f1ues and buildings.
| This department, since Greater Birming-
ham, has been greatly handicapped for
safely say there has been an improve
ment in building operations and expect a
continuance of same. From my knowledge
of the building laws and general build
ing operations of this city as compared
| with cities of like size I consider that our
laws are very inadequate as a whole I
am often called upon for information that
our laws should but do not contain. There
are several classes of buildings that we
have no laws governing at all. and build
ings of this class are being frequently
erected, namely: Steel structures. re-
| inforced concrete constructions. fire proof
constructions of all buildings over certain
heights. public buildings, theatres and
places of assembly and Others
Further. l think that the fees Of this
office should be abolished or adjusted so
that this office will get the full esti-
mated value of all buildings and repairs
to buildings.
1 believe 1t to be of the utmost i'm
portance not only from a fire standpoint
but for the general safety and welfare
to the citizens and public at large, and
also to keep within line with the vast
amount of building that naturally grows
with the upbuilding of a prosperous city.
Therefore / would recommend that you
appoint a commission to revise the build
ing laws or authorize this department to
obtain this data and submit the same to
you for consideration.
trust that you will realize the Inn
portance to this recommendation to the
end that Greater Birmingham will in this
near future have a modern law govern
ing all classe of buildings and construc-
lions. In conclusion I wish to heartily
thank his honor, the Mayor, and the
members of the City Council for their
kindness and cooperation. Respectfully
| submitted, w. o. MATTHEW'S.
Building Inspector.