The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-21
HUNT
APPEALS TO BOARD
Declines to Accept Building In
spector's Ruling i'll Regard
to Theatre Repairs.
WOULD NOT GRANT PERMIT
Butler Refuses to Alter Opinion
After Argument by Counsel
for Lessees.

On the ground that tho proposed re-
pairs do not remedy all tho defects
! pointed out at tho tirne the theatre
was closed. Building Inspector Butlsr
has declined TO grant a permit for :.
partial reconstruction or the Colonial
Theatre. application for which was
| filed by Contractor A. II. Hunt
| Mr.. Hunt, who has been commission
cd by tho lessees TO carry out the re-
pairs demanded by tho Building In
spcctor, applied on Friday for a permit.
under which he proposed to repair the
smokestack. and reinforce the west
| gallery. lilo declined TO include the
fro walls and furnace repairs ordered
by the Building Inspector. and Mr.. But
Ter refused TO grant the permit.
Appeal From Decision.
Counsel for the lessees and contrao-
tor argued tho case at length before
Mr.. Butler. but Tho latter declined to
bulge from his position. An appeal
from his decision was taken TO tho
Board OF Public Safety. composed OF
| Mayor Ainslic. CHIEF Joynes. OF the
Fire Department, and City Engineer
| Boiling.
| Counsel for tho theatre folk, Gil
bert K Pollock and judge Grinnar.
objected TO being required TO comply
with all tho details of Mr.. Buffers re-
pair schedule, on tho ground that 1t
would involve an expenditure or moro
than $4,000. Moreover. IL was argued
| the Building Code contains no provi-
sion comforting upon the Building In
spector the power 70 enforce hts ruling
! In the present case. Counsel was of
! the further opinion, according TO Mr.
, Butler, that II was the intent of the
| trainers OF the Building Code to make
II apply primarily to buildings erected
subsequent 10 It's adoption. II this
was true, tho Colonial Theatre build
/ ing-one OF the oldest In tho Broad
Street retail district-was exempt
Supported by City Attorney.
! Mr. Butler consulted City Attorney
Pollard with regard 10 his power in
tho matter, and was assured by him
that his position was correct, and that
he has ample power TO enforce the cor
rection OF building defects, which. in
/ his opinion. endangcr life.
{ The responsibility is now shifted
/ to the Board of Public Safety" said
building Inspector Butler. discussing
! tho matter yesterday. and It's ruling
| viii DO hnal. am OF the opinion
mat In Its present condition the build
| ing Is a fire trap of the worst kind.
and tho proposed repairs cannot
remove the Danger. ] shall stand by
| my findings, and unless ordered by the
! Board OF Public Safety 10 depart from
/ them. viii insist upon all the repairs
| being carried out. i value one human
| life far above $4,000 or twice that
/ amount"
Ample power Is conferred upon him
TO enforce all his rulings. Mr.. Butler
believes. in Sections 81 and s2a OF the
codes provisions with regard 70 thea
tres and public buildings which read
as follows:
The Building Inspector may at any
time serve a written or printed notice
upon tho owner. lessee or manager of
! any OF said buildings, directing any act
| or thing TO be done or provided in or
about the said buildings, and the sew
| eral appliances herewith connected.
| snch as halls, doors. stairs, windows,
seats. aisles. Are walls, ire appara-
tus and gro escapes; MS he may deem
necessary.
NO building shall be opened to the
! public for theatrical or operate pur-
| poses or for public entertainments OF
! any kind. until tho Building Inspector
shall have approved the same in writ
! Ing. nor until the Chief OF the Fire De
partnent shall have certified in writ
! ing that all the appliances for the ex-
| tinguishing OF fire or guarding against
| tho same are In complete and salts
/ tory working condition"