Evening star., 1936-04-12

Continued from First Page)
the opening day of the current ses-
sion, said he doubted the sincerity"
of the inquiry when he read the per-
Sonnel of the committee of four named
last week to revise the present code.
He continued:
Three of the men appointed to the
committee don't know anything about
and would probably be glad to admit
it. l suppose they were appointed
on the theory that ignorance of the
subject is all that is necessary to write
a new elevator code.
Three Are ID. c. Officials.
Aside from that. the same three
are members of the District goven-
ment, and 1 am of the opinion it is
asking too much to require them to
investigate themselves.
1T may be that some revisions in
the code are advisable, but I am
against a revision merely to prove
that it needs clarifying, and to sus-
tain the claim the inspectors made
in absolving themselves of all blame -
Scott explained that one of his aims
would be to show the need for changes
in the building inspection set-up in
general and the elevator inspection
service in particular.
The inspector of buildings is charged
by law with enforcement of elevator
regulations, but over him is a director
of inspection who exercises admins
trative control. without any legal re-
SpOnSibllity whatever, Scott pointed
out.
The whole set-up is confusing when
one man is responsible by law and
another, who, incidentally, draws a
larger salary, has administrative con-
troll. whatever that is, over the first
easily become a matter of passing the
buck.
Suffers From Lack Of Personnel.
The inspection service, I am told
| is suffering from insufficient personnel
not only in the elevator department
but in the building department and
others. Yet when the Office of direc-
tor of inspection was created couple
of years ago at salary understand
of s6,500 year, four inspectors had
to be dropped and others in the de-
partment were forced to take a payless
furlough. Too many generals and not
enough privates is a bad thing fol-
an army"
Another question the proposed in
vestigation would cover is qualifica.
tions of inspectors, Scott explained
Testimony at the Crowell boys inquest
showed approval of the elevator in
stallation at the Georgia avenue
apartment was given by an inspector
who, when appointed. had no previ-
Gus elevator experience and was q
, clerk in the inspectors Office, Scott
said.
The elevator constructors trade L
| highly specialized. requiring a thor.
ough knowledge of the electricians S
iron workers, carpenters and a dozer
other trades" he added. It's no jot
for man who may have had a little
experience in some mechanical line OF
in an Office.
THE pay is partly to blame. TIL.
present schedule calls for four in.
spectors at $4,000 a year. four Al
$4,000 and chief inspector at s2600
An elevator constructors helper with
a commercial firm makes from 50 ,50C
to $4,000 and an experienced mar
makes from $4,000 to $4,000. The sal.
ary should be made large enough tt
attract qualified men"
Scott expressed the belief that tn,
SIPS fee charged for elevator inspec
ton was inadequate because Of tn,
time involved in making an inspection
frequently several hours, and that tn,
department could become PRACTICAL,
self-supporting without raising tn,
fee unreasonably.