Evening star., 1921-11-05


the country have focused their at
tention on the recently appointed
building codes committee of Secre-
tary Hoover's Department Of Com
merce. Material manufacturers. .es-
pecially. are anxiousfy awaiting the
report of the committee. as they feel
that their particular industry may be
affected. by recommendations outlin-
ing changes in existing building
codes.
The committee already has held
several meetings at the Department
of Commerce. at which it has had
presented for consideration volumin-
Gus data on various favored build
ing codes by the national organiza-
tions of lumber, brick and other con-
struction material manufacturers.
Material Men Active.
The brick interests have offered
the group Of seven experts compris-
ing the committee an exhaustive re-
port commenting favorably on brick
construction. This report was pre-
formerly secretary of, the American
Institute of Architects and All OFF,
cial Of the United States Housing
Corporation. John Newlin of Madi-
son. Was. who represents lumber, as
a material, on the committee. has re-
facts and figures prepared by the
National Association of Lumber
Manufacturers. These and other ma
terial producers are exerting every
effort to insure the proper considera-
tion Of their products In the recon-
Iok tnS IN
group.
Just what the status of the COM
mittee's work at present is has not
been gwen out. Executive Secretary
Cartwright points out that "prema-
ture publicity" regarding the activi.
ties of the codes committee would
be undesirable.
Importance Of proper building code
Legislation has long been emphasized
by construction interests and munich
pal officials. 1t is said that Secretary
Hoover sensed the important place
today in the country's recovery from
the period of warfare. with all Of its
attendant extravaganza and innation.
Family Homes Favored.
It is understood that the committee
has devoted it's attention principally
to the single-family dwelling. as con.
situting probably the most important
type Of after-war home building de1
signs. Such allied topics as industrial
construction. hotels, tenements and
other larger propositions have been
subordinated and the necessity TOT
widespread home-ownership as an es-
sential factor in economic recovery
Experience during recent years in
dicates that building codes, in order
to be most beneficial. must undergo
frequent amendments and additions.
rnI NJ q.
ton and the uses to which buildings
are put are constantly changing.
building experts point out. New
economic conditions bring about new
there are a great number of minor
contingencies for which 1t is tmpos-
sible to provide an ordinance, 1t is
explained. 1t has been found desir-
able. therefore, that the official In
given the power to formulate and
publish rulings celebrating upon the
building code, as enacted by the leg
islative body Of city. A building
code is intended to be statement OF
tty Of materials, grade. OF workman
ship and methods of design which
are considered necessary to- make
buildings safe. durable and otherwise
satisfactory.
Codes Made by Compromise.
Bu1iQlnS OI1cfalS nave lOuiu tiLdl
building code should not be too definite
and detailed in its provisions, lest II
lose a part Of its possibilities for good
and unduly hamper private initiative
and enterprise. In effect, therefore.
such an ordinance usually is a COM
promise between the necessity of tell
ing the public what is required OF 1t
and that of making it brief and flex-
ible for purposes of administration.
Any building code represents the
compromise at which its writer's ar
rive with regard to these two Ques-
tebns, it is said:
Contractors emphasize that nothing
interposes so many handicaps on
builder in his continued effort to keep
construction costs reasonable as leg
islation framed and administered to
require expensive or troublesome con.
struction, or that prevents the de-
velopm ent and use of new and eco
nomical or rapid forms Of construc-
ton. All restriction of the freedom
and choice of the builder or owner,
without logical necessity to preserve
the public safety and dependability
of construction, has cumulative eff
feet upon the cost of construction
and acts as a real deterrent upon the
activities Of the investor. No build
ing law should bar any safe and de-