New-York tribune., 1915-03-08
Denies Measure Provides
Real Consolidation of
Building Inspection.
WANTS 1T LEFT TO
LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Merchants Association. How
ever, Adopts Resolution
Urging Passage by
Legislature.

Opposition was announced by the
City Club last night to the. passage
of the Lockwood -Ellenbogen bill, now
consolidation of all building inspeo-
tion in this city.
Such q consolidation Is declared by
tho statement issued by Secretary
Robert S. Binkerd TO be highly desir-
able. and the City Club adds that it
is anxious to assist in bringing a
proper consolidation about, but 1t ar
CUES that the bill does not provide
any real consolidation.
The Lockwood bill, however, Is sup
ported by the Merchants Association.
which has adopted resolutions urging
the Legislature TO pass IL.
This action of the Merchants Asso-
citation was taken after the board oil
directors had listened to arguments in
support Of the Lockwood bill and in
favor of a plan proposed by the May
or's Committee on Building lnspec-
tion. which provides for the consoli-
dation of inspections in such man
ner as the Board Of Estimate shall
prescribe.
"The Lockwood BILL" says the City
Club statement, docs not provide any
real consolidation, because it proposes
to leave in the hands of six city and
state departments the enforcement OF
laws as to occupancy. II provides
method for varying and modifying the
content of the tenement house law, the
fire prevention law and the labor law
so far as these deal with the physical
construction or alteration of buildings.
These laws are to-day not subject to
modification or variation.
The Lockwood bill proposes TO give
each borough Superintendent Of Build
ings the power 10 modify Or vary the
provisions of any Of these laws. The
action of the building superintendents,
either as a board or individually, IS
subject to the approval Of and to an
appeal to a board of examiners. con-
sisting of the chief Of the Fire Depart
ment and eight representatives ap-
pointed by private organizations.
"The final court Of resort upon the
Interpretation and enforcement Of the
most important building laws is there
fore to be an irresponsible board
largely representative of the very IN
terests which it is the purpose Of the
great body of building laws to regulate.
THE powers of the Tenement House
the Commissioner of Water Supply,
Gas and Electricity, the Health Com
missioner and the State Labor Depart
ment, so far as construction or altera-
tion of buildings is concerned, are TO
be transferred to the Building Super
intendent of each borough. To give
these powers back to the borough
building departments is, in effect. TO
extend the power of special and local
interests to influence the enforcement
of building laws in the various bor-
cuFhs of the city.
"The forces making for lax enforce
ment and modification of our building
laws are local forces. II is precisely
such forces which borough govern
ment. by its very nature, is least COM
Uetent to withstand. On the other
hand. the general public opinion OF
the city, which desires to maintain, or
to improve, existing building stand
ards, will be much less effective when
directed at five different building su
perintendents, responsible only to a
portion Of the city, than when concen-
trated on single building superin-
tendent, responsible 10 and for the city
as q whole.
I'VE are prepared to support a
measure which will leave to the local
authorities the power to consolidate
the administration of building laws. so
far as that proves 10 be feasible. and
TO accomplish such consolidation step
by step. with as little confusion and
interruption as possible, and as soon
as possible. But we shall oppose TO
the end the attempt TO pass a manda-
tory bill which affords to real estate
no real relief from duplicate inspec-
ton. but does afford the opportunity
to break down the great body OF
building law in this city. which. up TO
this time, it has been impossible to
modify or decrease by open legislative
action"