Evening star., 1928-12-11
CHANGE SUGGESTED
IN BUILDING CODE
Grand Jury Fails to Fix Re-
sponsibiIity in Death of
Two Workmen.

Reporting today to Chief Justice Wal
ter I. Mccoy the result of its inves-
tigation into the death of two workmen
at a cave-in October 25 0t Fourteenth
and K streets where the Cafritz Con-
struction Co. is erecting hotel, the
grand Jury failed to Ak any response
bility, but recommended the amending
and strengthening of the building code
of the District.
The grand jurors condemn the prac-
tice of permitting the owner to select
and paw the inspector on the Job. cit
is hardly necessary" says the report,
Ito comment on the danger of such a
system being continued, for certainly
there should be no division Of authority
in this important work and the inspec-
tors allegiance and responsibility should
be to the District and not to the builder
or contractor" w..
A substantial increase in the appro-
priation for the Office of the building in
spector is recommended by the grand
jury so that several additional inspectors
may be added to his staff. Such in
crease, 1t is pointed out, would permit
the change from "area" to group" in
spection so that the higher class inspec-
tors might pay attention to large con-
struction projects without reference to
location.
The grand Jury devoted several days
to its investigation under the guidance
Of Assistant United States Attorney
Neil Burkinshaw The witnesses ex-
amined included John w. Oehmann,
building inspector; DR.. Leon Gordon,
Policeman Roswell ChamblesS Detec-
tive Sergt. Thomas Sweeney, John w.
Jenkins, Percy D. Grant, Alvin /.
Aubinoe, Dr. Joseph D. Rodgers, Gus
tave Ring, Richard H. Knott, James
Stewart, Elmer A. Sours and Leon
Tucker.
The report submitted to the court by
William E. Mothershead, foreman OF
the grand jury, reads:
AS a result of the disaster on the Ca
fritz Construction Co. job at Fourteenth
and K streets northwest, causing the
death of two workmen, the grand jury
undertook an investigation which re-
vealed an urgent need for amending
and strengthening the present building
code of the District.
Among the many weaknesses in the
present law is the practice of permitting
the owner to select and pay his own
inspector.
It is hardly necessary to comment on
the danger of such system being con-
tinued. for certainly there should be no
division If authority in this important
work and the inspectors allegiance and
responsibility should be to the District
and not to the builder or contractor.
Among the remedies needed, IN ad-
dition to and in conjunction with the
foregoing, is a, revision Of the entire
code to make it provide not only for
the convenience and protection Of the
builders, but also and primarily for the
benefit and protection of the public and
the safety of the workers engaged in
building construction.
A substantial increase is necessary
In the present appropriation to provide
for several additional inspectors to be
added to the staff of the chief building
inspector, and for a general reorgani-
cation of that office, so as to admit OF
group instead Of area inspection, thus
permitting the more able of inspectors
to devote their time and attention ex-
clusively to large projects, in which
there is greater element Of hazard
concerned.
I'VE earnestly urge that this impor-
tant matter receive the immediate and
thorough attention that 1t deserves at
the hands Of the proper authorities. y