New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-22
HOLDS UP BUILDING CODE
Mayor Will Not Approve 1t with
Restrictions on Concrete.

nCSli iOklUito VII SOiiOi WV
Mayor Gaynor threw a little bomb into
the Building Code revision situation yes
terday. when he served notice on the
Building Committee OF the Board OF Alder
men that he would not approve their work
II Il came 70 him with the restrictions
against cinder concrete and reinforced con-
crete construction that had been inserted
in the proposed code by Alderman William
P Kenneally chairman Of the committee
In somewhat the same manner that for
mer Mayor Mcclellan stopped the tanning
through Of the Kenneally code two years
ago, Mayor Gaynors letter of yesterday
seemed to put quietus on the plans of
the present would-be revisionists, and they
were at a loss what step TO take next
The fight of the hollow tile people against
the cinder and reinforced concrete inter-
ests. which was the chief stumbling block
70 the Kenneally committee two years ago,
is again this year the big hurdle IN front
Of the aldermen, but with the difference
that. whereas two years ago the Allied
Concrete interests were satisfied when they
were able. through Mayor McClellan's veto.
TO block the plans OF the National Fire
prooHng Company, they propose this year
code which will give both themselves and
the hollow tile interests an equal chance.
The National F1reproohng Company the
so-called Hollow Tile Trust. was repre-
scented two years ago by Daniel T. Coha-
Ian as counsel. At the Mayors hearing on
Wednesday last no one appeared in It's
behalf. although Aldermen Kenneally.
White and Tamnany Floor Leader Frank
Downing fought for the code as they had
devised Il.
Ready for the Proposed Tests
Henry NJ. Keasbey vice-president and
resident manager Of the National Fire
prooAng Company. said yesterday that his
company was ready for the fire. water and
load tests proposed by the Allied concrete
interests any time they were ordered by
the aldermanic committee.
These tests. proposed by the concrete and
reinforced concrete people on May 2. have
never been taken up by the Hollow Tile
Trust nor by the Kenneally committee.
The Allied Concrete interests served no
tee on the aldermanic committee, on AL
derman Kenneally personally and on their
rival, the National Fireproofng Company,
and expressed a willingness 10 pay the
cost Of the test, but the Hollow Tile Trust
has so far refused to take UP the matter
Of a test OF their product in comparison
with a test OF the cinder and reinforced
concrete construction.
According 10 Mr.. Keasbey. his company
will not consider this question Of test
unless Alderman Kenneally desires IL, and,
90 far as could be learned yesterday, there
seemed little likelihood Of that.
Up II. Perry, Of the Turner Construc-
ton Company. and @. Edward Escher, OF
the White Fireproof Construction Com
panv who have appeared for the Allied
Concrete interests before the building COM
rn,t,ee. the Board OF Aldermen and the
Mayor. voiced the intent OF those interests
Yesterday when they declared that they
meant 70 keep after the revision matter
now until they got through fair code.
Two years ago we managed TO block
this same effort by these same people.
said Mr.. Perry. We weren't strong
enough then TO push after our victory. but
now we mean 10 go a. It constructvely
and get the aldermen TO keep after this
revision until we get a code that will be
fair 10 all. We are not asking for any
thing new-simply for a codihcation OF
conditions now in force by reason OF the
rulings OF the buildings superintendent IN
the Eve boroughs.
Pleased at Mayors Action.
'The code was brought out this time
ostensihly as a result OF the Asch Building
FIRE. and here the first thing they do is to
try 70 block out two OF the best freproof
constructions in existence. We are glad
that Mayor Gaynor. after Tuesdays hear
ing. came out as he did to-day. That ought
20 make the Kenneally committee stop
minute before Il jams through this code'
The Mayors letter, which seemed yester-
day to have held up the proposed Ken
neatly code for some time, If not perIna-
nently, was
As near as 7 can make out from all that
has been EXPLAINED 20 me. the cost OF cinder
concrete should not be increased Il is not
necessary that the clnders ShouIo Ds
screened The thickness OF the arches
snorld not be increased from the mini
mum Of ~ 70 a minimum or 6iz mat IS
unnecessary. The weight or the relntorc-
ing material therein should not De ra sSet
70 a minimum OF one pound square Loot.
One-1uarter Of a pound square loot NAV
suffice. A precise and varying rule snould
be made 20 govern. .,.,,- 49,.
IL the next place. I do not TANK mere
should be any restriction on the height OF
reirforced concrete construction. Let me
observe here that the rule should De ulI-
form in an boroughs II so varies now
thai concrete construction IS general IN
Brooklyn. while in Manhattan II Is very
lighted. on account or the extra COST !II-
~ by rules and restrictions. l think
there should be only one city building de-
partment. and not a building department
Tor each borough. I could cite other Things
for this opinion.
In the next place no distinction should be
made between segmental and nat arches.
Their use should be optional
In the next place the extreme hore stress
square inch on concrete in compression
should be 60 pounds in place OF 90 or 90
IN concrete in direct compression IL shoulc
be $50 pounds in place OF 400.
This covers the principal things put
there are some others that you have under
revision which should not be omitted.