Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-08-29
ELECTRIC BUDGET
ASKS SUM TO END
DEFECTIVE WIRING
Lack of Funds for inspectors
Cited by Engineer in
er Estimates.
FIRE ALARM EXTENSION
URGED BY OFFICIAL
Appropriation Of $1,139,776, In.
crease of IS Per Cent, Sought to
Cover Additional Services.

Thousands of instances Of defective
wiring noted in electrical installations
In the District cannot be inspected to
determine il corrections have been
made, because of lack of funds, the
Commissioners are informed in esti-
mates submitted yesterday by Walter
L. Kern, District electrical engineer.
While seeking appropriations for
employment of additional inspectors
to correct this situation, Kern also
proposed two new items designed to
increase protection foc the public.
One is a fund of $4,000 for extern
sion of the fire alarm box system for
wide areas not now having such pro-
lection, and replacement Of WORKOUT
equipment in a f1ve-year program.
The other is an item of $4,000 for
installation of radio loud-speakers in
all police precincts, to be hooked up
with the radio call system.
For all purposes under his esti-
mates, Kern asks an appropriation OF
s1,139,776, an increase Of $751; ATS, or
about Is per cent, over current funds.
Outside of items for fire and police
services and an item of s1l,500 for
providing standard hours for his de-
partment, Kern's 1888 requests exceed
current appropriations by but 5 per
cent.
Asks Additional Workers.
In support of a requested employ
ment of nine additional workers, in
Guiding four additional inspectors, the
total cost of which would be $4,000,
Kern told the Commissioners:
There are approximately $500 jobs
accumulated since 1888 where permits
have been secured and where defective
wiring notices have been served, but
lack of personnel has prevented max
ing inspections and forcing compli-
ance with the laws and regulations.
Inspection fees have been paid on a
large percentage of these jobs, but the
service has not been rendered.
There have been received 1856
license applications. each Of which 1t
is required by law must be certified SO
that the electrical installation is in
conformity with laws and regulations.
Each of these requires inspection, and
a very large percentage the serving OF
defective wiring notices. OF these but
725 have been cleared, the remainder
being uninspected, untabulated and
not filed"
The District Is losing revenues Tor
lack of inspection personnel, because
the number of refrigeration installa-
lions increased by 6,792 over the 49,
600 reported during the past fiscal
year, Kern said. The fees would be
collected if inspections could be made
he said.
Alarm System Wires.
For underground wires for fire
alarm, police patrol and telephone
systems, Kern asks s47,000 for next
wear, an increase Of $4,000. TINS
would permit installation extension OF
the fire alarm system to large area
of the northwest and to the BROOK
land, Langdon and Woodbridge sec
tions, and other services.
For street lighting and operation OF
traffic signals he proposes an increase
from s7sO,O0o to $4,000 for extern
sions.
George M. Roberts, superintendent
of weights and measures, who asks
provision of one additional worker, in
presenting a 1888 budget of s56,380,
as against S53, 800 for this year, said:
THE large amount Of cheating ana
chiseling which prevailed within va
rious lines of business while the IN
spection and investigation forces were
inadequate has already been greatly
curtailed and large savings reasonably
estimated at several hundred thousand
dollars annually have been effected,
since the force has been enlarged ana
improved. II not interfered with, l
am going to put an end to such prac-
tices in the District in order that
honest business men shall not be mar
assed by dishonest competition, ana
consumers shall not be swindled."