Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-29
DANGEROUS TO LIFE
Government to Blame for Con-
ditions in Rented Buildings.
HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORT
Representative Cantrill Declares
There Is Grossest Careless
ness by Officials.
0USE COMMITTEE REPORT

The careleSsneSs of division chiefs and
other government officials has brought
about deplorable condition in buildings
rented by the government and used for
departmental purposes, according to Rep
resentative Cantrill Of Kentucky, chair
man of the subcommittee Of the House
committee on public buildings and
grounds, which has been investigating
fire dangers in such structures. The con-
ditions permitted to obtain in these struc-
lures, Mr.. Cantril declares, are more
dangerous to human life In the event Of
fire than the buildings themselves.
Mr.. Cantrill's criticism was uttered fol-
lowing a meeting of his subcommittee at
which the progress Of the investigation
into fire conditions in rented government
buildings was reviewed.
so far said Mr.. Cantrill, I'VE have
seen undeniabie evidence Of the grossest
carelessness on the part of officials who
1t would be supposed would be most
highly interested In the safety of their
buildings. The men to whom / refer are
the chiefs of divisions, the heads of bu-
reaus and other officials having numer-
Gus employees under them.
Exits Found to Be Distracted.
I'm all the buildings we have SO far
inspected it has been found that exits
Railways and windows leading to fire
escapes have been obstructed with boxes
furniture and file cases. Paper is scat
tered about prOmiscuously, and the man.
ner of storage is in many instances in
dicative Of the grossest negligence.
such conditions as these cannot be
laid at the door of the owner of build
ing. They are the direct result of in
difference on the part of men intrusted
by this government with positions of re-
sponsibility. If 1t is not possible to make
the head of bureau understand the need
OF every precaution against fire, then
recommendations as to change in build
ing constructions will avail nothing.
Il wish to direct the attention Of the
members of the subcommittee to the fact
that this carelessness has not been found
in isolated instances. 1t has been gen.
eral."
Fire Regulations in Buildings.
AS result Of the work Of the Cantrill
committee it is probable that in the near
future he will introduce a bill providing
for stringent fire regulations in all gov
eminent buildings. 1t has not yet been
decided whether the central authority to
control this subject shall be federal or
district, and some members have Sug-
gested that separate board of fire in-
spectOrs Tor government buildings
throughout the country be appointed.
Representative Towner of Iowa, a men,
Der Of the Cantrill committee, Endorsed
Mr.. Cantrilrs comments.
During two Investigations, said Mr.
Towner, I'VE have found the system Of
protection against fire somewhat made
quate. But that does not minimize the
danger from the carelessness Of clerks, or
rather the heads of bureaus. who allow
narrow Railways to become half blocked
and the windows leading to fire escapes
to be made useless by piles Of furniture
l am not prepared to say now what legis-
iatlon is most necessary, but l do feel
that 1t Is necessary that the responsible
heads of different branches Of depart
ments awaken to renewed sense OF
their responsibility.
The members Of the committee visited
the headquarters of the civil service COM
mission at Sth and E streets northwest
this afternoon and made an inspection
The Government Hospital for the Insane
VIII be visited some time next week.