New Britain herald., 1930-11-07
Public "Gypped'', Wexler Declares, By Faulty House Heating Systems;
 Wants New Regulations Stringent

factory results from furnaces being caused by defective flHes. He point ed out that the plumbing inspector gives water tests to the plu~ ping in buildings before approving it, and it would take considerab bly, less time to give smoke tests to chimneys, but Chief Building Inspector Ruther- ford replied that while t would be a good thing to do, chimneys are built so quickly it is a physical im- possibility to look after them with the present staff of inspectors.
 Electrical Inspector Mason P. Andrews said the South church fire and the Israel Putnam school fire were caused by the flues in the chimneys. The sheet metal pipe leading from the furnace in the South church ran through a wood partition, he said. condition which would not have been permitted had the heating system been inspected when installed.
 Charles l.. Klett, a member of the building commission, urged that journeymen steamfitters be licensed
 Two Added to Salary List
 The ordinance committee voted to recommend that the offices of sec ond deputy building inspector and assistant clerk in the building de- partmcnt be placed on the salary list. The salary committee, meeting immediately afterwards. voted to recommend that the salary of the first named office be s37.50 per week and the salary of the second be s20 per week. At present the offices carry salaries of s35 per week and SIS per week respectively.
 Chairman Wexler of the building commission told the ordinance con- mittee that even when there is con- paratively little building activity, the department is busy. There are 11J0 fire escapes to be checked up, five theaters to be inspected, exits, signs, zoning matters and numerous other duties to be attended to. The clerk of the department takes care of the building and zoning features and the assistant clerk works on the plumb ing, electric and sealer of weights and measures matters.
 Chief Building Inspector A. N. Rutherford said the position of sec ond deputy inspector is not a new one, as it has been in existence four years, and in reply to a question py Alderman J. Gustave Johnson, Chairman Wexler said it was true that the ordinances at present pro- vide for the office of first deputy in spector but the commission wants 60 keep it vacant for purposes of econ- omy as long as it can be reasonably done. He pointed out that the man filling the first deputy inspectors place must be paid higher salary than that paid to the second deputy.
 WeXlcr Praises Fay
 At the salary committee meeting, Chairman Wexler said he would like to have. the salary of the second deputy made more than s35 a week. He said Thomas B. Fay, who is fill ing the place, is conscientious and very capable, and even when his salary was reduced from s46 a week 10 $3G and his transportation allow ance taken from him, he did not shirk in any way. Councilmen Hu- bcr and Holt spoke in favor of leav- ing the salary at $35 but when a vote was taken. Councilman Huber alone voted against making it S37.50.
 The committee voted to recom- mend s20 a week for the assistant clerk. Miss Mae Butler, because she has been in the employ of the de- partment four years and since be- coming a full time employe her sal ary has not been increased. Coun- cilman Huber seconded the motion in this instance.