The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-28
CITY TO PLACARD
UNSAFE HOUSES
Council Ready to Checkmate Eff
forts OF Shack Owners to I'm
dermine Inspector Beck.
PUTS TENANTS ON NOTICE
Old Structures, Once Condemned,
Will Be Advertised, Pend
ing Appeal.

Checkmatlng the efforts of owners
and agents OF tumble down shacks to
ioFce through the General Assembly a
Dill Gripping the operations OF the
Building Inspectors Office by provid-
ing for endless appeals. an ordinance
Is being prepared for adoption by the
CITY Council which will compel the
piacaruinG of all houses conuemned
penang tho determination of such ap-
peais IN the courts. thus putting ali
citizens on notice that sucn property
IS considered unsafe.
IL X. Pollard, Jr., chairman of the
Council Finance CommNtee. and him.
SELF the head OF Il large real estat
agency. told the Senate committee
which was considering the bill that IL
was an effort on the part OF shack
owners and their agents TO avoid their
just obligations to protect human life.
The bill was nevertheless reported ia
vorably by tho committed. over the
protest of City Attorney Pollard and
the Council Committee Oh Legislation.
just What Many wnnt
Mr.. Pollard explained that the pres
ont law gave just suoh an appeal from
the decision OF the Police Justice in
cases OF houses condemned as was de-
sired, save that the owners. in order
TO appeal. must give bond TO protect
any persons who may be injured by
tho alleged unsafe property. II Is TO
avoid giving this bond that owners
of unsafe shacks seek to have tho law
changed. so a to give them the right
of appeal without bond from all de-
cisions OF the Police Justice In cases
where houses are condemned. AS GRIM
inal business has the right of way In
the Hastings Court and its docket Is
often much conBested, 1t Is obvious
that tho hearing OF such appeals would
30 indefinitely delayed. In the famous
Monticello Hall case last summer.
Nr
postponed final decision. the old
building ended tho discussion by fall
ing in OF It's own motion
4 number of Councilmen. who be-
licve the efforts of the Building In
spector to rid the city OF unsightly
and dangerous structures is in line
with good public policy and the pro-
lection of human life. arc having pre-
pared and Will offer IN the event OF
the passage by the General Assembly
Of the pending appeal bill. an ordi-
nance which Will require the Building
Inspector to placard every house
which he officially reports to the Po-
lice Court as unsafe, the placard CIV
who enter there do so AT their own
risk and peril, and that the city Is not
Irresponsible for any accident or dam
age that may ensuc.
Must Stny On Property.
This placard must remain on tho
house until the case is finally deccr-
mined by tho courts, and AN order en-
tered for the removal or repair of the
unsafe property, and fine is Imposed
on any ono removing same, or on any
owner or agent who fails TO keep such
unsafe property conspicuously marked
pending such settlement in the courts.
Attention has been called to the fact
that though the present law provides
ample appeal II bonds TO cover any
dana eos IS posted. in no case aimee the
Building Inspectors Office was opened
Inns any party taken tbs risk o! post
ing such a bond TO take an appeal.
When tho main floor OF Centenary
Methodist Church was condemned last
fall and ordered replaced. the officials
OF the church were most skcptical. and
considered an appeal hut when the
carpets were removed the floor taken
up. and the weakened joists exposed, it
did not require an expert to see that
the floor was sagGing and unsafe. and
it was at once replaced in substantial
manner.