The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-18
|BECk'S OFFICE TO
| UNDERGO CHANGE
New Chief at Lower Salary and
Increased Street Force
Now Planned.
NO ABOLITION OF OFFICE
Plan to Wipe Out Building In.
spector's Job Will Be OPP
posed by Beck.
NO ABOLITION OF OFFICE

The office of Building Inspector Is
slated for an immediate reorganization.
Just what lines the reshapement will
follow is a matter for the City Council
to decide. since any important change
will require a corresponding change in
the city ordinance under which the
office was created and which gives 1t
life
To a reporter for The Times Dispatch
yesterday, Building Inspector Henry p.
Beck. who will vacats the Office on
January to assume new duties as a
mep:ber of the Administrative Board.
stated that II the Council will follow
his suggestions it will increase the
working force without any increase
in the pay roll by placing in charge of
the Office a chief inspector at salary
considerably lower than the one now
paid to him.
No Abolition Of once.
The fact that have been so closely
identified with the success of the Build
ing Inspectors Office in the past said
Mr. Beck, makes me peculiarly inter-
ested in it's future efficiency, and shall
do my best to see that its usefulness is
not impaired. To talH of abolishing
the Office of Building inspector is idle.
/ would never consent to a force of
deputy inspectors under my direction
as member of the Administrative
Board
Such a plan would load me down
with the work l am now doing and
practically mean that 1 would con-
tinue to be Building Inspector and
member of the Administrative Board
at the same time. The inspector is a
mans Job in itself The most feasible
vi he
cure an efficient man to take charge of
the office with the title of Building In
spector. to whom the deputies of the
office would report. and who alone
| would issue permits. This officer
would have the benefit of my advice
and experience"
Increase Working Force.
Such a man. thought Mr.. Beck,
Cd uld be secured at a salary sufficient
ly lower than the one now paid to
him. to warrant the employment OF
one or two extra men in the street
force. His duties would not be SO
cxacting as those which devolve upon
the present Building Inspector. since
he would be given much assistance
and cooperation by Mr.. Beck. AS the
work grew and the officer proved his
efficiency. the salary could be raised.
The Building Inspectors office now
employs four deputy inspectors and
! a clerk. Under the proposed plan the
i street force would be increased to
| five or six, eXpeditins and simplifying
| the work of supervising the city's
building operations.
To Frame New Ordinance.
1t is Mr.. Beck's purpose at
an early date to confer with
the City Attorney and other
| officials Of the city government with
| the purpose OF framing an ordinance
to take care of the proposed changes
or another plan that may seem bet
ter to the Council. 1t Is necessary
| said Mr.. Beck, that the reorganization
; take place as soon as possible. in or
der to have the Building Inspectors
! Office on a smooth working basis by
| the time he steps out.
| On the subject of his successor, Mr.
| Beck had no statement to make. He
will be appointed by the Council
which, IL is expected, will be largely
| influenced in its selection by M
| Becks recomme nd ton. The latter
stated that he had several men
mind whom he could recommend with.
| out fear, and that at the proper time
he might make his recomme ndations
known.