Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-07
Commissioners Negative Pro-
posed Elevator Law and
Change in Building Rules.
GIVE THEIR OBJECTIONS
IN REPORTS ON MEASURES
Approve Suggestion of p, B. & w.
Company Regarding Maintenance
Of Railway Siding. r

An adverse report on the bill OF Rep
resentative Lobeck to prohibit the in
stallation or operation of any elevator
in the District which is not equipped
with an automatic device to prevent
the car from being moved while the
gate is opened or Enclosed was sent to
Congress today by the District Conn
missioners.
Reasons both for and against the
adoption of such a measure are cited
in detail. The probable advantage, say
the Commissioners, would be the ef-
fectual prevention of all such acct
dents as occur when a person is caught
between the stationary platform and
either the floor or the cage of the ele-
vator. On the other hand. they point
out, the device would lead to an in
creased slowness of operation which
in a business building probably would
necessitate the installation of addi-
tional elevators. 1t might also lead to
an interruption in operation in case
of fire, thereby making it impossible to
make use of the elevator
Summary of Conclusions.
Summing up their conclusions. the
Commissioners say that instead of
placing a premium on carelessness of
an operator by the installation of auto
matte door-locking devices, the opera
tor should be educated, examined and
placed under such supervision that he
will become a highly efficient employe."
They state that this result constantly
is sought through the operation of the
board of examiners of elevator opera
tors.
Adverse Report on Buchanan Bill.
On the ground that the proposed leg
islation is unnecessary, the Commits
sioners also sent to Congress today an
adverse report on the bill of Repre-
sentative Buchanan to amend the build
ing regulations by providing for the
better protection of persons engaged in
construction work in the District.
Their position is that they have ample
authority to regulate the matters COW
cred by the bill and that the present
regulations are practicable and sufficient
Senate bill No. SAG. authorizing the
maintenance and use by James F. Bar
bour and his successors in title of a
railroad siding from the tracks of the
Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington
railroad across 4 y street southwest
into certain lots in square 536, is the
subject of an extended report by the
Commissioners, likewise transmitted to
Congress today.
Purpose Of the Measure.
The purpose Of the bill is to validate
the siding which was constructed under
permit from the Commissioners. The
Commissioners say they are informed
by the company that it constructed the
siding at the request. sole cost and
for the special use and benefit Of James
F. Barbour. and that it would be unrea-
sonable to require the railroad company
to maintain the siding at its own ex-
pense.
THE company suggests" states the
Commissioners, that. in order to meet
the wishes of the Commissioners. some
responsible party maintain the siding.
the following proviso to be inserted
in the bill as an amendment:
Provided. that said siding shall be
maintained by said Philadelphia, Ball
timore and Washington Railroad Com
pany and its successors to the satisfac-
faction of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia. and at the sole
cost and expense of said James F.
Barbour and his successors in the own
ership of said lots
Commissioners Concur
The Commissioners concur in this
suggestion, and also recommend that
there be added at the end of the above
proviso the following:
And provided. further. that Con-
gress reserve the right to require the
removal Of said siding by said railroad
company at any time without compen-
GOT