Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-25
PACE NO FIRE ESCAPES
ON BUILDINGS OF STATE
N''orneE-General Holds That Act
Does Not Apply to Library
or Capitol.
OPINION GOES TO GOVERNOR
Practically Certain That Handsome
Structure VIII Not BE Defaced.
commission of Labor rendered
thanks for His Zeal.


ne state Capitol and library build
.'ss "i!l not have to be equipped with
''T escapes in accordance with the
i"" law which requires such protec-
t''n for office buildings. according to
IN opinion delivered Yesterday by At
'oFney-General Pollard.
While IT IL true that both the Cap
no! ana library buildings may be call
Cd office buildings inasmuch as n
part of each building Is used for Of
zee purposes. yet ] think it apparent
i:om the context that the General Az
Sembly, In passing the statute. did no,
have in contemplation either OF said
buildings" says the decision.
The opinion then states tho incon-
sistency OF having tho state pay n
fine 10 Itself for The nonpcr forrnance
II this law In closing, is a passage
legal literature. In which thanks are
expressed TO the Commissioner OF La
tor for his dcsire to save his official
colleagues from the fires OF TINS worlj
since there IS little hope FIR their
escape from the fires Of the next"
GOVERNOR RECEIVES
POEIARD'S OPINION
Although the Governor Will not be
forced 20 accede 10 this opinion. II is
practically certain that the buildings
-. the Capitol Square Will escape the
Ge:acemenc which would result from
tn. erection Of tho fire escapes.
The opinion. addressed TO Governor
Stuart, follows:
Dear Sir.--I have your letter OF
Juno 20. In which you inform me tina,
th- Commissioner OF Labor has nou-
fed the Superintendent OF Grounds and
Buildings that he Is OF opinion tina,
cha pier TIA OF Acts OF the General AS
semhly Of Virginia, 1915. requires the
placing Of Are escapes on the Capitol
Building and on the State Library
Building, and that the said commits
tioner has requested that such Arc es-
capes toe erected You ask my op!n-
ion AS TO whether tho law referred to
requires the erection of said fire es-
capes
The statute which tho commissions
er cites is an amendment TO section
lo57a Of Virginia Code. 1909. and pro-
vidts that the owners of every fac
tory, workshop, mill or place where
the manufacture OF goods is carried
on. hotel, school building. college. hos
p!ta! orphan asylum. mercantile es.
Enlistment and Office building over
three stories In height, or where as
many rs fifteen persons are employed
lodged. entertained or instructed above
.he second story OF such building .
shall provide FOR the safe exit Of the
occupants thereof. in case OF fire. by
the erection. construction or nainten-
ance in good condition OF Are escapes
o! the most improved modern design.
The statute also provides that the
character and design OF the Are es-
capes In cities and towns shall be Sc
iceted b. the Council thereof. and. In
counties. by the board OF supervisors
but that II such Councils or boards OF
supervisors fail, prior TO July OF this
year. TO make such selection. the Com
missioner OF Labor, after sixty days
notice shall proceed 10 prescribe
ani publish regulations concerning the
erection. character and design of ade-
quate fire escapes for such city, town
or county.
The statute further provides that
any owner or owners OF such buildings
violating the provisions OF the act shall
he deemed guilty OF q misdemeanor.
and upon conviction thereof. fined not
less than s25. nor more than 500 for
each month they fail TO provide such
ares escapes.
while II Is true that both the Cap
i:ol and Library Buildings may be
called Office buildings inasmuch as
q part Of each building is used for
office purposes. yet think II apparent
from the context. that the General AS
ssrnbly. in passing the statute. did
not have In contemplation either OF
said buildings. In the first place. II
requires the owner Of the building to
have the fire escapes erected, and i'm
noses Il fine upon the owner for fail
ing 20 do so In this case the State
j. the owner of the buildings And
while II miSh be argued that the State
ough, TO set nm example 10 its citizens
~ placing fire escapes on its own
buildings yet according To an estab-
a. nf ~
he presumed. in the absence OF ex-
messed enactment. shat il intended to
rlace upon itself duty. and much
less that il intended TO impose upon
itself n fine to be paid 10 itself. The
me cannot he imposed on any officer
Il the State. for the statute places It
gpon the owner alone.
Without at this time passing upon
The question rs TO whether YOU may
no; require the erection OF such fire
escapes under the powers Of control
and direction over the Superintendent
ID. Grounds and Buildings vested In you
Under Section 2SS OF the Code Gas
ameudcd). / here express the opinion
that for reasons above given, the erec-
ton OF said escapes cannot be COM
pallcd under Chapter 5l4 OF Acts 1916
Let me add that the Honorable Com
missioner Of Labor was quite right in
calling attention to this new and i'm :
ro-tant statute passed In the interest
Of public safety. His desire to have
ire escapes upon the Library and Capt.
i tol was doubtless prompted by his
solicitude for the safety of his official
c1!icagues having their offices in said
Iui!dngs.
The Attorney General concurs with
h.n IN the opinion that IL Is quite as
f,nportant TO protect the lives OF State
of.icials as to protect the lives Of other
i. citizens. and he fully sympathizes witt,
) Tho commissioner in his evident desire
80 provide for his official friends In
cscape from the fires of this life, know
iug that there is little hope for their
.scape from the fires Of tho next.
John GARLAND POLLARD
"AttorneY- General Of VIRGINIA"