The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-13

'ohuiAIon Oh DulldlnBS ana the question
as TO whether or not plans are correct
are matters of fact and law, to be de-
termined judicially. and not 10 be set
tied by compromise. representatives Of
the Architects Associa ton of Richmond
appsared before the Council Committee
on Ordinance. Charter and Reform yes
tcrday afternoon in opposition to the
Gilman ordinance, which proposes IL
new method of appeal from decisions OF
the Building Inspector. The Gilman
ordinance has the enthusiastic approval
OF the Build ers' Exchange and of many
real estate agents. property owners,
citizens and builders, and was argued
at great length by both sides. No ac-
ton was taken. the committee adjourn
ing TO meet Monday afternoon at $50
O'Clock, when the question Will be fur
is yet to be heard. and MIR. Beck him
self desires u outline his own posi-
ton
Present Plan of Appeal
The present building code. as adopt
cd By the Council in 1908. provides that
any person aggricvcd by a decision OF
the Building Inspector may appeal to u
Board OF Public Safety, made up OF the
Mayor. the city Engineer and the Chief
OF the Fire Department, all serving
cA-oillcio and without pay. Decisions
are Anal.
Having failed in the General Asscm-
bly, TO secur. passage OF n State law
allowing appeals to the Hastings Court.
withou, bond. til, Builders Exchange
gave It's Endorsement to the Gilman or
dinancc, which proposes a separate
arbitration In each case. Tho aggrieved
property owner. who desires to appeal
from any decision of the building In
spector. On posting $50 10 cover the
costs may lie heard before board
made up OF one man appointed by him
! self, one BY the building Inspector. and
those two TO select third. Each
memb IT of this board Is to be paid $40
for his services, the costs falling on
the appellant, whether he wins or loses.
In Favor of Ordinances.
Among those appearing in favor OF
the Gilman plan OF arbitration were j.
y. Connclly Rev. John q. Scott ". y.
Chest .rman and c. Ridgway Moore the
more extended argument being made
by Attorney George c. Gregory. No
attack was made on tho Building In
spcctor, but 1t was claimed that any
man was liable to mistakes Of Judg
lncnt, and the prot Asting parties con
sidcrcd themselves entitled to a fair
rchcaring on appeal. AS 10 the pres
cht board, 1t WAS stated that the Mayor
was an attorney. without technical
knowledge of the building trade, white
the City Engineer or tho Chief of the
Fire Department as expert witnesses.
No objection would b. raised we're Mr..
Beck - appoint either as his arbitrator
in any hearing That might arise.
William Leigh Curncal. Jr.. OF Car
| neal IS Johnston. architects. led the
| opposition, stating that he spoke for
| so per cent. of the architects and for
| the unanimous membership OF the
Richmond Association of Architects.
| The architects. he stated. desired no
change at all. but ii there were to be
! "a change, would propose as more
f., permanent board n plan by which the
| Builders Exchange. ut tho first of each
year, would nominate to the Mayor
three men. and the Architects Asso-
citation would nominate three, the
| each hearing. and these two TO select
! a third, all costs u be borne by the
| city when the appellant wins. and by
| the appellant when ne loses. The an
| chitects were we'll satisfied with pres
| cnt conditions. and saw no reason for
a change.
Not Case for Arbitration.
"If any change is made" said Mr..
Carncai, I'VE do not favor an arbitra-
lion that will be mere matter Of
! compromise. Either building is safe
or 1t Is unsafe. Ii 1t is unsafe, II
should come down or be repaired. 1t
| is not matter 10 compromise about.
"1f VIC plan building 1t is either
| structurally correct or 1t is incor
rect. 1t Is a matter for examination
and judicial detcrmination and the
board can call in expert witnesses. /
| have yet to hear of AIRY building In
RisSmond adJudged usafc. that should
not come down, and in every ease
F.. where such buildings have been re-
! moved, the community has been bcnc-
ntcd. There arc known ways OF de-
| tcrminng strength OF columns. Whc-
ther II Is strong enough or whether It
Is not strong enough it . matter II
| fact TO be detcrmincd--not matter
| to be settled in q give and take COM
I promise. where each side Is repre-
scented by it's partisans. VIC are OPP
posed to having either Mr.. Beck or the
/ complainant appoint airy member of