The Washington times., 1911-04-26
Loss IN EFFICIENCY
Of CLERKS BLAMED
ON OVERCROWD|NG
Director Smith Says Workers
in Rented Buildings Are
Off 20 Per Cent.
VALUABLE RECORDS
AND MAPS IN DANGER
Survey Annex Shown to Be
Trap in Event of
Fire.

As result OF the investigation into
the alleged non-fireproof condition of
certain rented Government buildings in
Washington by a subcommittee of the
House Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds, it is more than likely that
another Congressional committee will
be appointed to take up the question of
efficiency maintained by clerks who
work IN these buildings.
During an examination of the Hooe
building in F street. which houses the
Geological Survey, Director George F.
Smith made the remarkable statement
that in several departments of the
survey the conditions existing in the
building were responsible for a loss of
at least 20 per cent in the efficiency of
the employees.
Mr.. Smith explains that the work Of
employees of the survey while in the
building was mostly drafting, scientific
research, and the making of reports of
field investigations, and that very little
actual clerical work was done by the
force under him. Good results in work
OF this kind, he said, was only accom-
pNshed where the men were given Of
fees by themselves, or where they
could be quiet and free from Interrupt
ton.
Offices 0vercrowded.
Wooden partitions had been put on
most of the floors, dividing them into
small rooms. but the work of the sur
vey has grown so fast during the last
few years that the offices are now over
crowded, and because of these condi-
tions the maximum of efficiency was
obtained but by few of the employees
Mr.. Smith aduded.
Chairman Cantrill. of the subcommit-
tee, was so impressed with the remark
that he had MIR. Smith dictate a long
statement TO a stenographer in order to
present the matter before the House at
the earliest opportunity.
To say that the members of the COM
mittee who went through the Survey
building yesterday afternoon were sur
prised at existing conditions is putting
it mildly. The situation was regarded
as being so serious that the committee
decided not to visit any more buildings
today, but to hold a meeting with a
view of formulating a plan for imme-
date relief for employees of the SURVEY
Regardless of the danger to the hun
dreds of clerks in case of fire. the COM
mittee found that millions Of dollars
worth Of records and maps which had
required years of study and investiga-
ton TO complete, and which would be
extremely difficult TO replace. were alb
Solutely unprotected from the flames.
a Few of the most valuable maps and
plates are stored in ordinary iron safes
on the top floors which Director Smith
frankly admitted would prove of little
value IN case of big fire.
No Head Room.
The worst conditions were found in
What is known as the survey annex.
The conditions here were such that
Fire Chief Wagner and Marshal Nichol-
son, who went through the structure
several weeks ago had already recon-
mended that the building be abandoned.
On the top floor, where the lithograph-
ing and engraving for the department is
done, there is not head room for the
employees. The ceiling is so low that
the civil service examinations for en-
ployes of this office require that appli-
cants be under FIVE feet five inches
tall. This building is stored with paper
which is being aged for map and
drafting work.
Union Building Criticised.
Following its inspection of tho |
Union building. rented by the Govern |
ment for offices, subcommittee of the |
House Committee on Public Buildings !
and Grounds made public it's report |
rr1ttcising the manner in which fire.
escapes are blocked and inf1ammable |
material is stored in that building.
AS structure, no serious fault is
found with the Union building, In
directly, Government officials them
selves are charged with responsibility
Tor the rather dangerous condition of |
the building in the event of a fire. l
The committee learned that valuable |
records are carelessly stored, that l
wooden shelving is used throughout. /
lhat employees are unfamiliar with the Il
use OF fire extinguishers, and that some /
OF the fre-escapes are COMPLETELY II
blocked by books, boxes and other Gov Il
ernment property. In the event of a Il
IRE II would require some moments to II
remove the distractions to the fire. 4
escapes. II
Fire Protection Lacking.
The number of fire extinguishers on
this floor (the seventy is too small"
the committee reports. 1.-The doors
leading from the main hall into rooms
through which entrance is obtained to Il
fre-escapes are provided with heavy II
springs, and have a tendency to keep Il
the doors closed
"One Of the standpipes threw a
stream about twenty feet. The linen
hose attached leaked"
The report of the subcommittee will
be laid before the full committee, which
is expected to recommend legislation
looking to the improvement of fire con-
ditions in all of the buildings now
rented BY the Government in WASH
ington.