The Washington herald., 1922-10-04
NEW BUILDING
IN ID. C.. GAINS
200 PER CENT
Continued from Page Ohe.

Continued from Pa0e Ohe.
that the issuance of permits ana
the inspection of buildings in the
course of erection constitute the
complete function of the office. The
facts are that all plans must be
examined by the engineers or COM
puters to see that they comply with
the building and zoning regulations
as well as accord with approved en-
gineering standards. Years ago,
before building operations had as
sumed such proportions and when
steel and concrete construction
were comparatively undevelopcd.
the checking of plans could be ac-
complished approximately concur
rently with their fling. Obviously,
such dispatch is impossible now.
The engineers must also check
radius or area plats which must
be filed in connection with the
consents of property owners to the
establishment of garages. the in
stallatiOn of motors and similar
apparatus.
$50 Jobs Per Man.
The inspectors are required not
only to inspect the buildings of
all classes during the course of
erection. filing daily a record of
the progress thereof. and seeing
that the plans as approved are
followed. but they must see that
the materials used are of the
standard laid down in the building
code. In addition, they must re-
spond to all complaints Of the dan
gerous condition of structure. and
even party fences, to all reports
of the police. fire and health de-
partments, or of private citizens
to the effect that buildings are
being used for purposes prohibited
by the regulations. and must serve
notices of the infractions of the
building or coming provisions.
This meant that. prior to the
world war, each man was charged
with the inspectional supervis on
or conservatively, $50 live Jobs.
IN addition to the miscellany, en-
bracing complaints. etc. As clearly
demonstrated by the statistics for
l922, his labors have been increased
at least 100 per cent
Inc present extraordinary ac-
tlvity in building construction will
it' - Is oeheNeu. De lnde nnitely
maintained. but its continuance
through the next fiscal year is pre-
dlcted by those best advised. For
ms reason an Appropriation of
$4,000 for the employment OF tenn
porary inspectors has been sought
for the fiscal year 1924. Such A
policy however, cannot prove satis-
factory. for the stability of the
lorce cannot be assured. Even
though the volume of operations
now being conducted be admitted
TO be abnormal. the steady and in
'reasing growth of Washington is
an unequivOcal refutation of the
idea that building construction will
revert to pre-war staus. 1t is abb
solutely necessary. therefore. that
the permanent force OF this office be
increased in all de-
pc rtments, and that the salaries be
raised to figures commensurate
with the duties of the respective
positions.
Need Aid to Safeguard Public.
The function of this office is
primarily TO safeguard the public
in the matter of building con-
struction. The public has the
right to assume that every place
of public assembly is structurally
adequate; the builder of a home
is justified in depending upon this
office to see that mis- house is
erected in such a manner as will
insure his safe occupancy: the
patrons of a hotel, the tenants Of
an office building, properly rely
upon the building inspection divi-
sion to adopt and enforce such
regulations as will guarantee in
teErity of construction.
But, it is believed. too. that the
public will acknowledge the injus-
tice of demanding of the
building inspection division Of
Washington of today an irreproach-
able administration when it is real
lied that the division has at its
command the same statutory force,
receiving the same grossly made
quate salary as obtained twenty
years ago.
with n staff of employees reason
ably required by the duties devolv-
ing upon the office. and with a
schedule of salaries reasonably
it is felt that the
public will have no JIst cause of
complaint to lodge against this bu-
reau of the municipal government"