The Washington herald., 1911-04-25
BUILDING Is SAFE,
BUT NOT INMATES
Committee to Act Adversely
on Leased Structure.
FIND FIRE ESCAPE LOCKED
Members of Congress Who Inspect
Union Building Deplore Condi-
ernment Hasten Construction of
Suitable Homes for Departments.

A subcommittee of the House Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds visited
the Union Building, occupied by the gov
ernment, yesterday, and found there con-
ditions as to fire protection which they
considered needed remedying. The COM
mittee found the Union Building to be
reasonably safe as a structure, but To-
Gated various circumstances in connec-
ton with its occupancy by the govern
ment which caused certain Of the mem
bers to personally resolve in favor OF a
scathing report to the full committee.
1nflammable materials, 1t was found,
existed throughout the building in the
shape of flimsy file cases and supplies.
One whole fioor-the fifth-it was discov-
cred was piled full OF Marine-hospital
Service supplies of every nature, from
blankets TO a quantity of alcohol, while
above. on the sixth floor, los clerks labored
at their daily tasks. On one floor the
subcommittee found that desks and boxes
had been arranged in such shape that the
fire escape was virtually inaccessible. On
another floor the passage to a fire escape
was locked and It was some time before
the person holding the key was located.
Owners Not at Fault.
Taken as a whole, the building appear
ed to the committee to have been placed
in proper shape by its owners. Recon-
mendations for corrections as to fire.
escape approaches and other features.
made by the fire department. had been
fully carried out. The alarm gongs We're
tested and found to be in good working
order. The subcommittee also tested the
hnS ivcf a "a arh L.
the hose produced the necessary water
streams, II leaked considerably and show
ed signs of deterioration due to age and
cheap quality.
Representative Cantrell headed the SUBJ
committee as chairman. With him as
members of the body were Representa-
tIves Ashbrook, Nelson, French, and
Towner. Myron NJ Parker. president Of
the company which owns the building,
Of inspection. Fire Chief Wagner, Chief
Clerk Watson, Of the fire department.
and Inspector Parry. of the building in
spectors office. also accompanied the
party.
1t was the opinion Of enc member OF
the committee. expressed upon his re-
turn to the Capitol at noon. that con-
ditions which exist in the Union Build
ing will only hasten the day when the
own structures.
Clerks in Danger.
ITO place 100 clerks in n building which
occupies comparatively narrow plot OF
ground" said he. means putting them
in danger, for there must necessarily
he large quantities of documents. furni-
tUre. and filing devices in their vicinity.
In improvised offices, also, many wood
en- partitions are erected All these add
to the general danger. Outside fire es-
capes at best are hard to reach, and diff
ficult to travel. Although the stairways
OF a tall building may be broad, a con-
fagration OF infiammable material,
sweeping from floor TO floor, would soon
cut them Off
Discrepancies which appeared in fire
de epartment reports n regard to the
Union Building. which were transmitted
u the committee by Myron NJ. Parker.
were explained yesterday by the fact
that two reports had been made The de-
port copied by Mr.. Parker contained the
statement that the Union Building was
slow burner
The subcommittee this afternoon will
visit the Hooe Building. IN F street, oc-
cupied by the Geological Survey.