New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-20
Better Building Inspection.

DCktCi OuiiOiiS AhoPSSiS'
In their efforts to simplify the horribly
complicated system of building inspection
the various city officials and representa-
tlves Of business interests who have been
comforting on a proposed bill seem 70 have
avoided some Of the notable flaws of TIC
Lockwood Ellenbogen measure, which
Mayor Mitchell vetoed. The proposal now
evolved and awaiting the Mayors APP
proval places responsibility for inspec-
ton as to construction, alteration and
structural changes on the Bureaus OF
Buildings in the respective boroughs.
These borough inspectors are TO do the
work now done by the representatives OF
the Buildings Bureaus, the Fire, Health
State Labor and Licenses departments
The local Tenement House Department is
TO retain all It's present powers and juris-
diction. but its inspectors are to endeavor
10 work In harmony with the buildings in
spectors. The Fire Department is to see
that buildings, after occupancy, are kept
in compliance with the building code, the
labor laws and the orders Of new bu-
reau-the Board of Standardization Is
TO be the supreme body as to inspections
and building conditions, except for tene-
ment houses. Also the Fire Department
is to approve plans for buildings where
combustibles OF explosives are to be kept,
and plans for fire extinguishing ap-
planes.
Thus the corps Of inspectors will be re-
duced from six to three, capable OF work
ing in tolerable harmony, of which only
one, limited to a certain class of build
ings, will be totally independent The
general scheme appears TO be logical, but
in the details there is at least one impor-
tant flaw. The borough presidents have
won the point for which they contended-
that their local bureaus be maintained,
instead of being consolidated into one CEN
trail city department. The latter plan
would probably be wiser, but in this rs
in all other matters the eXigencies OF
politics take precedence of abstract theo-
ries of government. The flaw is that The
borough building superintendent, who
are to be the executives of the inspection
system, under the proposed plan are to be
also members of the supreme Board Of
Standards, TO which appeals are to be
taken. In other words, the buildings sd
perintendents would sit in judgment on
appeals from their own work. That, Oh
viously, is wrong in principle and would
be highly dangerous in practice, even
though they would not constitute, voting
solidly, a majority of the Board Of Stand
ards.
1t goes without saying that this bill vii
not command public support unless it oh
tains the Mayors formal approval. Ever
then, throughout its legislative course, i
should be scrutinized thoroughly. Las
years measure started its career undel
glowing skies, but was soon proved to b'
full of jokers and impossible clauses, in
serted to serve the selfish interests o
persons whose chief complaint is not witt
inspection, even at its worst, but with HI
provisions of the existing laws. The va
rious laws in question-the labor laws
the tenement house law, the building cod
have been enacted to protect the publi
at home and at work.
1t is possible that a rational system o
inspection and mature experience ma.
show places where equal safety can o.
obtained and assured under provisions les
expensive to the real estate owners. Tia
will be time enough to let down the bars
The public will not permit any bill 10 b.
passed, however great merit there be II
It's purpose, which by trick or indirectioI
assails the standards of safety which hav,
already been written on the statute books