New-York tribune., 1913-05-25
WAY TO REVISE CODE
What Manhattan Building De-
partment Has Done.


i'm THE Real Estate Magazine about the
real way to revise the building code, in
part as follows
'If we would examine the building reeu-
lations now in force in Manhattan we
would find that they are somewhat uiner-
ent from those Of four years ago ana De-
fore that time. and that the buildings no"
heing erected are Of better construction
and general planning-are safer and more
sanitary. AS a matter OF fact. revision
of the Building Code in part has taken
place. and is still going on without much
ado: without the costly assistance OF COM
missions Of experts and with no public
hearings before the Board Of Aldermen.
Architects. engineers and builders Wis
iting in their daily routine the offices ol
the Bureau Of Buildings. In Manhattan
have frequently noticed since January
1910. little. almost inconspicuous, type
written posters or bulletins on black
board announcing to all parties concerned
various new requirements or rules winch
go into effect Immediately and are strict
~ enforced. All these bulletins, reiatils
TO the erection of buildings and the install
lation Of elevators. plumbing and draln-
age are intended to and really do, brinG
about better building construction ana
more sanitary living and working conan
tions. The report for 1910 OF the bureau
of Buildings for the Borough OF Manhat-
tan contains sixty-two bulletins relating
to thirtv-one sections Of the Building Code
and the report for 1911 contains forty
txt.1f \
tions Of the code and number OF such
bulletins have been published during lslz'
for which year the report has not been
issued.
Some Of these bulletins contain modi-
fcations Of various sections or the coue
granted by the Superintendent OF Build
ings on the strength Of Section 40 OF the
charter. with the approval OF the Bor-
ough President. in special cases where
there are practical difficulties in the way
Of CARRYING out the strict letter OF the
law. so that the spirit Of the law shah De
observed and public safety secured ana
substantial justice done
Until January. 1910 such notifications
~ ever made. were not recorded and pub
Nshed. so that the public was not aware
Of them and therefore could not beneht by
them on the ground Of created precedents'
The other bulletins containing new
rules and regulations have been issued ny
the Superintendent of Buildings on the
strength Of the provisions OF certain sec
tions of the code OF 1899. that il is In the
power Of the Commissioner of Buildings
having Jurisdiction 10 direct any act OF
thing 10 be done or provided in or about
the respective buildings and the several
appliances herewith connected as he may
deem necessary.
Now, If these rules and regulations IS
sued bv the Superintendent Of Buildings
as his interpretations OF the provisions
Of Sections los and los OF the building
code OF 1899. would have been first submit
ted to the public hearings before the
Board Of Aldermen various persons and
organizations would have surely been
there 10 protest against them for one rea'
son or another. the liveliest discussion
would have taken place. the daily press
would have published whole columns OF
arguments pro and contra ana hOthlhs
would have been finally achieved.
"As IL happened. Rudolph Z. Miller. the
present Superintendent OF Buildings lot
the Borough OF Manhattan, VINO j. re-
ognized authority I'm all matters relating
10 building construction, possesses also
deep knowledge Of human nature ana
has used IL 10 great advantage in the I'M
provement Of the building regulations.
The new rules heretofore cited, as well as
many others just as valuable. nave oeen
carefully studied and investigated before
being adopted, and therefore have been
favorabIy received and observed by
architects. engineers and builders. They
have been recognized by everybody as aD-
solutely necessary and reasonable I'M
a certain extent the cost OF buildlnss.
were bound TO be appreciated by their
occupants
Cannot these facts teach US new
vav Of solving this serious problem OF
building code revision