Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25
HALL FOR ARCHIVES CONFER ON TARIFF
Would Lessen Danger From Situation Regarding Revision
Fire in Public Buildings. is Becoming Acute.
CONDITIONS NEED REMEDY LEADERS IN A QUANDARY
Learned Congressional speculate on Tas Views
Committee As to Wool Schedule.
REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED MANY POINTS TO CONSIDER
Be NonParsan
bv Fire Marshal Nicholson But It Is Thought,
Includ Buildings Result
Would Lessen Danger From
Fire in Public Buildings.
CONDITIONS NEED REMEDY
Facts Learned by a Congressional
Committee.
REPORT TO BE SUBMITTED
It Will Be Similar to the One Made
by Fire Marshal Nicholson, But
Will Include More Buildings

That the subcommittee Of the House
committee on public buildings and
grounds, which has been investigating
conditions relative to fire protection In
the various government structures In
Washington. will submit a report similar
10 the one sent to the District Commits
sioners yesterday by District Fire Mar
shall p. W. Nicholson concerning the pat
ent and land office buildings, was the
statement made last night by member
of the subcommittee.
Practically the only difference between
the two reports. outside Of recommenda-
tions that may be made. II was stated,
will be that the subcommittee will assert
that the dangerous conditions which are
said to exist in the patent and land OF
fee buildings apply with equal rorce
10 nearly every building in the city occu-
pied by the government.
While not desiring to be quoted for the
reason that the subcommittee has not yet
taken formal action in the matter. the
member furnishing the information con-
cerning the result OF the investigation oe-
clared that the subcommittee is impressed
tanning in the various government build
,nvs and that IL undoubtedly will recon-
mend measures intended to eliminate the
danger.
Building for Archives.
Representative Sheppard Of Texas
chairman of the full committee. already
has introduced a bill for the erection OF
hY1f1d DOlnC-
ed out In the fre marshars report that
nreproof structure for the storage OF
documents would relieve the congestion in
public buildings and lessen the probability
of fre.
The bill was introduced by Mr.. Shep-
pard upon his own initiative. but 1t was
stated last night that there is probable
ity of the subcommittee recommending It's
Endorsement or bringing In bill OF us
own The Texas member Is not IN the
city and what plans he has made In be-
half of the measure are not known
Another recommendation that the sub
committee has under advisement is tndl
OF q building and sanitary CODE Inc gov
ernment. at present. is entirely without q
code Of this kind.
The subcommittee began its investiga-
fion several weeks ago: It's mem oeIs are
Representative Cantrill OF Kentucky.
chairman. and Representatives Rodden-
bery of Georgia. French of Idaho, Town
er of Iowa and Ashbrook OF Ohio. Mr..
cantrill was not IN the CITY s nn,tine last migns
will formulate its report for presentation
TO the full body.
Members of the subcommittee who could
be found last night expressed no sur
prise over the statements contained In
Fire Marshal Nicholson's report. They
examined the patent and land office build
ings several days before the fire marshal
IL tttynt tny1 q N a
that they found the same conditions which
are described in the report.
There are several buildings, II is stated,
which the investigating body has not yet
visited, but, so far, all of them have pre-
sented practically the same conditions
with respect 10 danger from fire.
For the most part 1t is said. the rem
edes which will apply to one will be ef-
fective in all Of the buildings. The prin-
cipal remedy suggested, and about which
there appears to be but little difference
Of opinion. is the erection Of a fireproof
records hail.
Comment Of Chief Clerk Ucker.
Clement S. Ticker. chief clerk Of the
Interior Department. upon whose request
tie fire marshars investigation was con-
Quoted, last night would issue no official
statement regarding the report. because
ne had not received copy Of 1t from
the District authorities.
When told that Mr. Nicholson stated
that gasoline and kerosene oil were stored
in the building at 7th and G streets. Mr..
Ticker admitted the fact. saying that the
basement rooms in which the oils are
stored are fireproof
According to Mr.. Ucker, he requested
the investigation with the object of COM
plying with any recommendations that
SAko 41 70 1tyrntn tA 6ra
danger and aiding firemen in case OF
coufa1ration. He would not intimate
what course he would pursue with re-
spect to the recommendations made. for
the reason that he does not know offlcial-
ly what they are.
Mr. Ucker declared that he already
has carried out number OF recommen-
dations made by the fire marshal In a
report concerning conditions which ex-
list in the pension office. Among tlese
are the installation of three fire plugs.
several fire extinguishers and the building
fof fire doors on the top floor of the
building. where the records are Kept.
II is understood that Mr.. Ucker's aim is
10 comply with the recommendations of
the Are marshal wherever IT is possible
10 do so In the case OF a recommends
Ton that would involve the expenditure of
2 considerable amount of money the mat
ter becomes one for congressional action.
The chief clerk last night stated that he
in favor of hall of records as the
hrst solution OF the entire problem
We are crowded with records he de-
ared. and at present they are In
,eopardy"
MIR. Ucker said that following the in
Nestigation of the subcommittee he de-
tided TO insure the safest conditions that
.ould be obtained under the present ar
sangement. and for that reason called
LpOn the District commissioners for the
,ssistance OF the fire marshal
lie said that since his tenure in office as
,.ief clerk the Interior Department has
made no demand upon Congress of its
own initiative for the construction of q
public documents building.
The Fire Marshal's Report.
The fire marshafs report, which was
submitted 10 the Commissioners. yester-
| dav Was unsnaring in its dnnnncia 4iar,