Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30
SEEKING FOR SUGGESTIONS
Better Protection of Government
Buildings From Flames.
CODE OF LAWS PROPOSED
Unsatisfactory Conditions Found in
the Structure Used by the Civil
Service Commission.

ployeS. property and records in rented
buildings here and throughout the entire
country should have better protection
against fire, the Cantrell subcommittee
of the House committee on public build
ings and grounds has taken preliminary
steps toward devising a code of law to
cover the subject. This move Is taken
as the result of the subcommitttee's re-
cent inspection of several rented build
ings occupied by the government in this
city.
Representative Morris Sheppard Of Tex
as, chairman of the public buildings and
grounds committee. who initiated the pres
ent inquiry. has decided to appeal to
experts all over the country for informa-
ton and advice. Yesterday he sent let
tiers to dozens of fire department heads
in the prominent cities of the country
and many insurance companies, asking
for suggestions.
Suggestions Sought.
Following is the letter he sent to fire
insurance companies, which, with slight
variations, is identical with the COM
munication addressed to the fire chiefs
THE public buildings and grounds COM
mittee OF the House Of Representatives is
engaged In an examination of the build
ings occupied by the federal government
to ascertain what facilities are or should
be provided therein for the prevention of
fire. In many instances we have found a
woeful lack of prevention from the stand
point OF necessary apparatus and observ-
ance of proper regulations. We find that
the United States government has no
code of laws on this subject whatever.
1t Is the intention of the committee to de-
wise a code of laws on this subject and
provide for their enforcement in all build
ngS owned or rented by the government.
In order to- obtain accurate information
on the subject we are addressing this let
ter to several Of the leading fire insur-
ance companies Of the country and re-
questing suggestions from them as to
what precautions should be required and
what regulations should be adopted. The
committee will appreciate very much If
YOU will kindly give such suggestion as
You may deem pertinent
1t Is of interest that Chairman Sheppard
dictated the above letter Yesterday after.
noon Immediately after returning from ar
inspection of the building at 9Th and
streets northwest occupied by the civil
service commission
Described as a Fire Trap.
1.-The building occupied by the civil serv.
Ice commission said Chairman Shep.
pard last night. 'fs the worst fire trap We
have yet discovered. Such fire apparatus
as exists in the building has fallen into
disuse and decay. Fire hose in the build
ing is rotten and in many cases not even
connected with mains. Desks are placed
in such manner as to prevent access to
fire escapes. Inf1ammable material Is
everywhere. and almost every inch of the
interior Of the building is an open invita-
ton to a disastrous fire. The place is
crowded. There are but two outside fire
escapes The elevator and the stairway
are together in one shaft. The basement
and the attic are crowded full of papers
and general debris. The file cases are OF
wood. The 100 employees in the building
work daily in great danger. l do not be-
lieve there Is a more fire-exposed govern
ment building in the city. Gen. Black,
the chairman of the commission, himself
admitted to the subcommittee that the
building was a fire trap
Back in 1906 the chief of the local fire
service commission building. describing a
part of the building as extremely haz-
ardous'' and the entire building as
neither fireproof nor slow burning"
Better fire escapes were recommended
Inquiry was made by the subcommittee
into the plans for the building. now be-
Ing erected, on which the civil service
commission has taken a ten-year lease
at $4,000 year. This building is To-
Gated on F street between 18th and 18th
streets, the owner being Victor ]. Evans.
1t will cost, when completed, about $780,
600 The members of the subcommittee
commented on the fact that If the govern
ment erected such a building it would pay
for itself in ten years merely on the rem
tai basis.
Inspections Tomorrow.
The subcommittee will tomorrow inspect
the building on Nth street occupied by
the Department of Commerce and Labor
The interstate commerce commission
building. on f street and the Government
Hospital for the Insane. across the river
will also be inspected this week.
A Classic Trnsf