Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-06
FACTIONS IN CLASH EXEMPTION IS Asked
Control of Patronage in Vr- Feproof Building Owners
GINA Becomes an Issue. Want Law Changed.
PROBLEM WITH PRESIDENT OFFER TO START A BLAzEE
SmpMn Combination Opposed Declare Flames Will Be Confined to
by Royal Cabell Room Of Structure
LOSS THROUGH FOREST FIRES WOULD TAKE ALTERNATIVE
rotary Balingers Opinion. to Witnesses
Fireproof Building Owners
Want Law Changed.
OFFER TO START A BLAZE
Declare Flames Will Be Confined TO-
Room Of Structure.
WOULD TAKE ALTERNATIVE
Commissioners Substitute Amend
ment to Statute Is Acceptable
to Witnesses.

Representatives Of owners Of many fire.
proof apartment houses in the District
appealed to q subcommittee Of the SEN
ate District committee this morning for
an amendment to exempt dreproof build
inSs from the provisions Of the fire escape
law.
Section Of tho fire escape law pro-
vides that each elevator shaft and stair
way extending to the basement OF the
buildings heretofore mentioned shall ter
inmate in q fireproof compartment or In
closure separating the elevator shaft and
stairs from other parts Of the basement.
and no opening shall be made or main
tanned in such compartment or Enclosure
unless the same be provided with fire.
proof doors"
Amendment Asked For.
The owners Of freproof apartment,
houses proposed, in q bill which Senator
Warner introduced at their request. the
addition Of the following clauses to the
section:
THAT such elevator shaft shall extend
to or above the roof and shall terminate
with skylight. window. doors or other
means Of ventilation.
warehouses, as are defined under the
building regulations Of the District OF
Columbia to be fireproof are exempted
from the requirements OF this act as to
fire escapes, guide signs. lights and alarm
gongs."
Those appearing at tod0y's hearing.
however, said that they would be satisfied
with the draft Of similar amendment,
with similar purposes prepared by the
Commissioners.
Commissioner Substitute.
In lieu OF the proposed amendment the
Commissioners favor the following:
THAT such elevator shaft shall extend
above the roof and shall terminate with
ventilating skylight.
THAT such buildings as are defined un-
der the building regulations Of the District
OF Columbia to be f1reproof are exempted
from the requirements of this act as to
fire escapes and guide signs, when the
stairways, elevator shafts and means OF
egress are reasonably safe, in the judg-
ment Of the Commissioners OF the Dis
trict of Columbia"
The changes suggested by the Commits
sioners will give the Commissioners power
to determine, in their discretion. when a
fireproof building shall be exempt from
the fire escape law. and will allow fire.
proof warehouses and stores the same ex-
emptions as other hreproof buildings.
Witnesses Before Committee.
B. n. Warner. T. r. Schneider and
Bates Warren appeared before the sub
committee. Senator'S Martin and Burkett
were present to hear their arguments In
behalf Of the change in the law.
Under the present law, 1t was urged
no more protection Is required in fire
traps built at minimum OF expense than
in 'freproof buildings, the special con.
struction Of which added greatly to the
expense.
THE point Isl suggested Senator Mar
tin, that these buildings are not really
tireproof."
I'VE will kindle a fire in a room Of one
of them. at a cost of hundreds Of dol
lars to US. just to show you that they
are replied MIR. Warner.
Mr.. Schneider said that many statistics
gathered for pres. ntation to the commit.
tee will show that not one life has been
lost in q fire In q fireproof building, while
many lives have been lost in fires in non
treproof buildings equipped with tire es-
capes.
Legislation which would exempt fire.
proof buildings from the operation of the
fire escape law, 1t was also suggested
will tend to promote the construction OF
fireproof structures.
Smoke Problem Advanced.