The Washington herald., 1911-06-25

'1t is hard to convince some people
that twelve-inch wooden support is of
greater strength and safety. especially in
case of fire, than is a cast-iron pillar.
said Architect Frank P. MIlburn. when
discussing the ffty-five-foot building re-
striction law on residential streets Of
Washington that has just passed the Sem
ate. "a solid wooden support, of. say. a
rifty-foot span, with all the load that it
carries. is more to be depended upon in
case of fire than Is a cast-iron pillar.
That has beeh proved by actual observa-
tion many times. A wooden support
will char for an inch or two on the out
side; hen the fire goes out. But a cast
iron pillar, when 1t gets red hot, buckles
up and let's the load down with all the
fearful consequences.
AT bottom the restriction that Is being
sought by this bill Is for fire protection.
Sky line. shutting out sunlight, and OBJ
structing lesser air passage, have moth
ing to do with the consideration. Those
things are not to be considered when
human life is being risked. would like
to see law passed that would be re-
troactive. so as to compel the freproofing
Of some Of the tall buildings that we
now have, which are in some cases a
menace to .he community"
None Over Four Stories.
Kennedy Bros, builders. approve Of the
restriction OF nonhreproof buildings to
the four-story limit "No building over
four stories In height should ever be of
other than fireproof construction. It IS
the great principle OF safety TO occu-
pants that influences me in making that
statement" said a member of the firm
nal IA n
would be affected by the law, I cannot
help think that the safety Of the
city and of many OF its residents win be
best conserved by observance of such q
law"
Edwin n Rosengarten, architect, with
]. de Slbour, said that the additional
cost Of flreproofng q building may be
placed at about Is per cent. This, when
one considers all that is at stake, seems
to be a small price to pay for the right
kind Of fire protection. I would like to
see the height OF nonfreproof buildings
restricted and that of fireproof buildings
increased In residential streets. There
are many cases In which the beauty Of
the city might be greatly enhanced by the
erection Of lofty apartment houses Of ex-
cellent architectural design and thor
oughly fireproofed In slightly locations in
the residential sections.
Such privilege might, think, induce
investors to put up a better class OF
building and Of much finer architectural
excellence than is possible under exist
ing restrictions"
1T Is a question Of fire lighting from
our point of view" said a fire official.
wide streets and all, with the continued
erection Of nonhreproof buildings of great
height, the difficulty OF fire fighting is
always being increased"
Taking Great Risks.
Some day." said a builder, 1--WE are
going to have a confiagration In WASH
ington that will make us all fully realize
the risk we are running In not taking
these much-needed precautions for pro-
lection of life and property. Washing
ton has enjoyed a long immunity from
fire, but 1t cannot always hope to do
so. 1t Is only good luck. Under such
circumstances we are inclined to grow
careless. 1t took the Iroquois Theater
disaster to make cities pass laws to
make theaters safe, not only in the
construction, but in the provision of
exits. It took a Slocum disaster to
cause regulations to be enforced re-
sarding life-preservers and lIfeboats on
But with the recollection of
the Baltimore FIRE so fresh in our minds,
we ought to be fully alive to the need
Of adequate fire protection.
Joseph ]. Weller, OF the building COM
mittee Of the Chamber of Commerce,
said that, In general, he was for all that
would promote the safety of the property
and persons of citizens. Without q de-
tailed study Of the bill and its provis-
Ions, the principle OF safety was upper
most In his mind. and he felt that every
thing that can reasonably be expected
Of builders in the way of fire defense
Of the residents Of the city should be
done.
AssOciatIOn Approves.
Samuel ]. Prescott, president Of the
Builders and Manufacturers' Exchange,
said. that on general principles he was
committed to all Just and judicious pre-
cautions to protect the people Of the city.
None of the builders who are members
of the organization had objection to any
and all reasonable provisions that would
help to accomplish this end. He thought
no opposition would come from any
builder In the city against the general
principle OF safeguarding citizens lives
and property, and that all steps which
do not impose unreasonable demands or
any hardships on builders would receive
the unanimous support OF all engaged In
work. Many builders with
whom the matter was discussed were
heartily in favor Of the general principle
Underlying the bill and Of the motives
which prompted fits passage. Several had
not been fully acquainted with all the
provisions and could not speak Of the
usefulness or benefit Of the bill. but all
we're agreed that It is a public duty to !
the people with every protec-
Jon OF life and property.
''Still," remarked one who was inter-
viewed, there have been occasions when.
some persons, actuated by the very best |
motives, have been led to indorse plans !
or public safety that in detail might |
work out to the very serious disadvan-
age of those whom the measure pro- |
'essedly aimed 70 help. Such legislation |
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