The Washington times., 1910-10-11
INSANITARY HOUSES
REMOVED BY BOARD
~ Such Structures Demol-
iShed During the Year,
Says Report.

As the result Of the efforts of the
Board for the Condemnation Of Insani-
tsry Buildings. during the year ended
Une 80, d buildings were demolished,
according to the annual report OF the
board submitted to the Commissioners
today. or this number sixty-eight were
in alleys. ard Isl in streets. Repairs
were ordered on 2S4 dwellings. The num-
Der OF tenants benefited through action
on the part Of the hoard was 81. while
754 were required to seek other quarters.
In the four years of its existence
the board has caused to be demolished
I,00S buildings ard has ordered repairs
on SO Special attention is being given
TO structures not provided with sewer
or water connections, with the view of
making the owner provide such connec-
lions or remove the building. If its ex-
pense does not warrnt its connection
with the public sewer or water main.
The majority of the houses located
in alleys" says the report, ARE Of such
character, structuralIy, that under the
preesnt law they are not condemnable
10 destruction. but are kept in repair
because Of notices served from time TO
time as conditions warrant
Credit Is due generally to the owners,
both resident and nonresident, and the
real estate agents, for prompt compli-
ance with the orders Of the board, and
ais for assistance rendered I'm MANY
cases of unrecorded transfers, failure TO
locate owners through the directors and
other reasons which rendered the
prompt service of proper notices Pc
Consideration is being given by the
board of the conversion of certain al
leys into interior parks or Fairgrounds.
Willow Tree alley has been selected as
one Of the first 10 be eliminated, pro-
vision. for which Is contained in the
Commissioner estimates.
With respect to the progress of the
work, the board reports as follows:
THE observation of the board, how
ever, fail to show any considerable num-
Der of small insanitary houses that the
board might condemn, but against
which action has not been taken. I'm
slightly houses, 1t is true, still exist In
many parts OF the District, which a
casual observer might regard as con-
demnable- With respect to those. how
ever. closer examination will generally
disclose that they are properly lighted.
are dry, have tight roofs, are provided
with ample facilities for heating and
Yentilating, and are properly drained
In so far as drainage facilities are
available
such houses, of course. cannot be
condemned by the board, however. Of
tensive they may be in the senses of
beauty and neatness. With respect TO
the charge that the board is proceeding
too rapidly, inquiry made under the
direction Of the board during the past
year, showed that there are a reason
able number of vacant sanitary houses
renting from $3.50 per month TO $3.50
per month, and available for the occu-
pants OF such houses as might be do
mollshed by order of the board.
The results OF this inquiry into the
rental market have been confirmed by
the observations of the board in the
course OF its work throughout the Dis
trict, and are supported by the records
Of the office Of the INSPECTOR of Build
tngs, who shows the issue Of permits for
theh erection Of large number of small
sanitary buildings"
The board comprises Can't. u. NJ
Markham Assistant Engineer Commits
siOner: Morris Hacker. Inspector Of
Buildings. and Dr. w. c. Woodward,
Health Ofricer.