The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-04-26
COUNCIL PLANS
TO CLIP WINGS
OF H. A. DUPONT
Claimed Building Code Gives In
spector Too Much Power and
That He's Arbitrary
MEETS PROTESTS WITH
INSULTS, IT'S CHARGED
Public Hearings in Connection
with Proposed Revision of
Regulations Start Monday

The aldermen are threatening 70
tone down" the department OF build
ings. Under the new building code,
the aldermen say, Henry A. Dupont,
chief inspector of the department. is
veritable car, and the city of1cials
and private citizens going to the city
ONCE with protests are treated with
scant courtesy.
The council committee on ordi-
nances plans to revise the building
code in such a way. that Inspector Du-
points alleged arbitrary methods OK
handling the business Of his ONCE VIII
be curbed. The committee VIII pc
!, gin holding public hearings on the
code next Monday afternoon.
No complaint IL made against the
members of the building commission.
They are given credit for their faith
full work In attempting to better the
building conditions in the city, but
the aldermen have a grievance against
the chief inspector
In an informal meeting held IN the
city clerks ONCE, Thursday afternoon.
Aid Littlefield, chairman OF the ordi-
nance committee. and Aid. Barnett
attacked Inspector Dupont for the ar
\bitrary manner In which he attempts
to enforce the drastic provisions OF
the code.
THE aldermen. say they are insult
ed when they go to your ONCE with
protest" said Aid. Barnett.
81 guess you are the only alderman
that has kick coming on that
score" replied Dupont.
mo. there are others and We Will
teach YOU a few things before we are
through with you" remarked Little
field
Aid. Barnett declared the present
code was too severe on poor people.
1T Is all right for the people who
have plenty OF money and can build
fine homes on big lots. but the poor
sucker gets 1t every time said bar
nett II have received dozens or COM
plants from people In my ward, and
have never been able to get any
satisfaction when | 90 to Duponts OF
nee"
"You are no better than the rest,
Aid. Barnett" was Dupont's retort.
Alanson A. Moore, president OF the
commits sion, who was present In the
meeting, was inclined to agree with
the aldermen that some Of the meas
!. ures were q little too drastic and ne
rebuked Dupont for INDUCING In per
sonalities with the aldermen.
That's all right, Mr.. Moore, we ap-
preciate your work, but We want 10
clip his wings" said Barnett, refer
ring to Dupont,
You represent the worse ward in
the city as far as the building code
goes" interrupted Dupont.
nAOTlo
ward" Numbered Barnett. "and they
are entitled to just as much consider
alton as the rich. They help to pay
YOUR salary. You want to drag them
into court on every technicality. The
other day the wind blew the roof on
mans house and you attempted 10
prevent him from making the neces'
- sary repairs. You can smile II you
want to. Mr.. Dupont. but you'll change
your smile before we get through
with YOU"
The building commission meets
more than any other commission In
the city, and we are always glad TO
give any caller a courteous hearing,
said Commissioner Moore. Perhaps
some of the sections OF the code are
drastic, but we are aiming to improve
the building standard In Detroit; we
do not want to harass the poor man
who Is building a home. We VIII De
glad to work with you and heed any
suggestions that are made for the
betterment Of the code"
The Builders & Traders exchange
and other building organizations VIII
be given an opportunity to criticise
or defend the code when the commit
lee bssSAs It's work on revision.
The board OF estimates recently de-
Slined to increase the salary OF the
chief building inspector from S2.ooV
I, to $500. and during the discussion
Commissioner Stellwagen said that IT
was the boards intention to replace
Dupont