New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-13
FIRE PREVENTION RULES
What the Bureau Is Doing 10
Enforce the Law.
CAN LEVY BIG PENALTIES
Owners Who Keep Their Prop
critics in Order Need Have
No Fear.
Nv william Gucrin. Chicf Of Bureau OF IRE
Prevention.

Nv william t.ucrin. Chief of Eurra" 81 ''r'
Prevention
Many property owners helicyo the Bu-
reau Of Fire Prevention is q now i"rln q"
affection thrust or them by thoughU'sS
law makers To add 10 the already great
tax on the realty Of the city. rs mat
ter Of fact. the bureau Of Fire Proven
ton is principally an instrument To en-
force existing laws with only few MS
cretionary powers and bound 90 use those
I'm a reasonable manner.
No owner or occupant az property need
fear the visits of the Bureau ~ Fire Pre-
vcntion inspectors unless ne has failed to
keen his house I'm order as required 'y
the building laws factory laws and sucii
others as relate TO tho type of building
visited. hut woe to- him that has been rc
miss. FOR a violation will lc flied against
his building very shortly. and ,ho penalty
for falling ~ comply is criminal prose-
cution. with liability 70 Imprisonment fo'
one year and $40 fine. This docs not
close "a incident. for failure to comply
VIII find the building closed to its occu-
pants. or So much OF II as the order ape
plies 10. II is great plea ~urc &" say
that in most cases prompt obedience BE-
given 10 tho orders of gin" department.
and those who did not hciicte that fly"
Commissioner Johnson meant hu'iucss
felt the sting Of the criminal l'r. ln poo
case has il been necessary 90 close "a
building.
Commissioner Johnson ha- placed two
cardinal principles before every member
Of the bureau: First. enforce ;he laws for
the safety Of tine people: second. with
the least possible cXpcuec 10 the owner
or tenant For that reason none of our
court cases has boon decided adversely
to MS ON the merits Of tine case. and very
Few ou tcchnicantics as tp form
Tho work OK tire bureau Will often au-
ticipate som- accident that II 1t occurred
while "a dangerous condition in the build
in- exists .n violation OF law would ren-
der the owner liable On heavy damages.
amounting To more than would remedy
the condition twice over. 10 say nothine
Of the cost and vocation ~ lawsuit
When an owner Is required 10 make
expenditures on his promises in order
tNdl lIfh may If' llififif ''it'f t''.'
remember the words 81 Mayor Gaynor
that ln this great city $50 have not only
to consider taxpayers. but also rent pay
crs"
Property owners should see that AL
inspectors give their names and show
their badges. noting the numbers this
81 you' right so that no uuwarranted
person may enter Your premises. and note
tho badge carefully. as am improper per
son might show o. false badge that would
give mo- authority 90 him.
Inspectors have mo- right TO give instruc-
tions verbally. unless ~ is q matter Of im-
mineut danger. ail orders are ISSUED u
writing. and signed by the head II the
bureau and tho Fire Commissioner or
Deputy Fire Commissioner designated TO
do co All changes in orders are made in
writing So also the di-missa's when
orders are completed Frequently persons
Icceivne orders dp not understand the
requirements even where expressed .n tine
simple language ~ thc law. and desire lu-
spectors 10 Doc sent them explaining the
orders this cannot pc done as tho bureau
has too fcw men available for tho roll
tine work. bat such persons viii receive
attention IL they visit headquarters.
TIC work II tho Bureau 90 Fire Pre-
vcniion prccedcs and dovctais into tho
work Of the fire cNtinculs hng branch