The Washington herald., 1911-08-05

OF the fight claim to have heard, frst
hand, of q threat by Commissioner
Judson that the regulations are to be
made yet mofe stringent in this re-
spect.
There is some doubt In the minds Of
District officials. inquiry yesterday de-
veloped, as TO just what constitutes a
public stable. 1t is known that ac-
cording to the regulation, stable In
which are housed five or more horses
used for business purposes, is a public
stable. Oficials Of the building In
spector's office yesterday were unable to
state, offhand. whether a stable housing
five or more horses only part of which
number is used for business purposes
would be public stable.
But, however that may be, the regula-
tions now require that, for the erection
Of a business stable" within q resi-
Dental district" the signed consent Of all
OF the property holders in that square
within 200 feet of the site for the pro-
posed stable must be obtained.
A residential square is one in which
no business house is located. II, per-
chance, a line of business houses Is
located directly across the street from
the proposed stable, 1t makes no dif-
ference. The stable is still asked for in
residential territory" If the proposed
stable is to be located in business ter
is at least one business house, the regu-
lations require the signatures only of
70 per cent of the residents within 200
feet.
Fine Chance for Graft.
Several features of these regulations are
Objectionable in the eyes Of those most
nearly affected. In the first place, II Is
pointed out, the regulation requiring that
mn a.,
site for the proposed building must first
acquiesce in the location Of a stable at
that point furnishes an excellent oppor-
tunity for graft on the part Of unscrupu-
lous property owners. II Is no secret that
prospective builders of stables or any
other structures where the consent of
nearby property owners is necessary
start out to obtain signatures knowing
that several palms must be lined with
gold before the full quota Of signatures
can be gathered in.
Still another Objectionable feature Is
found in the rules laid down to deter
mine whether site is residential or
business. Those who have butted their
heads against these rules say they are too
general. A real estate broker furnished
an instance.
II sold a large tract Of land recently
for a warehouse and stable" he said.
THE tract was bought for that specific
purpose. 1t was in an unbuilt part of
the District which, because of surround
ing conditions, never could be used for
anything except business purposes. But,
because 1t was so deserted that It had
never been used at all, either for busi
ness or residential purposes, the Com
missioners declared II to be a residential
insisted
the signatures OF all owners of property
in that block within 200 feet Of the pro-
posed site OF the building. Naturally,
the itching palm was extended with a
mighty itch
May Go Further.
While those who are preparing to enter
the fight now will be satisfied II victory
is found in the first assault on the Dis
trict Building, that is, II the Commits
sinners accede to the request of the
Chambers committee and grant thirty
day notices of proposed changes, they
will not be satisfied with this concession
If the affair is carried to Congress
Chaplin Brown, general counsel and a
member of the board of directors of the
Chamber, in speaking in favor of Mr. Dan
iers proposition Wednesday night. said he
favored 1t only as a step in the right
direction. Mr.. Brown favors, and his
sentiments are those OF practically every
man concerned in the movement. the
taking OF all power over building regu-
lations from the Commissioners and the
vesting OF these powers in a board of
building inspection and survey, which
will be more directly answerable to the
property owners. Because Of this senti-
ment, It is considered more than prob
able that, in the event of a refusal by
the Commissioners TO grant the request
of the committee on building industries
of the Chamber, the committees of Con-
gress will be importuned to put through
bill calling for more than compulsory
notice by the Commissioners. Moreover,
considering the present temper of the
House Committee on the District Of Co
lumbia, as IT prepares to embark on it's
searching investigation Of the District
finances, corporations interests, and ad-
ministration, 1t is not considered i'm
probable that such a bill would meet
with a favorable reception, In the lower
branch of Congress at least.
In the meantime. the most influential
interests In Washington are sirding their
loins in preparation for the fray, and
those who know the temper Of the COM
batants are looking expectantly for
battle royal.