Evening star., 1941-10-07
.Fireprevention
Bi|IAction toBe
Sought Monday
Harris Will Press
For Vote by House
District Committee

Despite prolonged controversy over
one provision of the bill to modernize
the Districts 36-year-old fire pre-
vention regulations, Chairman
Harris of a House subcommittee that
investigated the measure, said today
he is satisfied it had been amended
to meet all reasonable objections
and would press for favorable action
by the House District Committee
Monday.
Although the subcommittee ap-
proved the bill more than two weeks
ago, two sessions of the full COM
mittee failed to bring vote on it
owing TO objections raised by wit
neSses.
Monopoly" was the charge hurled
at the bill by representatives of
several companies which mapufac-
ture flre-alarm devices. They based
this accusation on provision
authorizing the Commissioners to
prescribe among other safety regu-
1 lations for the larger buildings
municipal fire alarm connection
and remote-Control station or sta
tions, to be connected to the mu-
nicipal fire-alarm central-office
/ headquarters.
Amendment Is Adopted.
These witnesses agreed that only
one company manufactured direct
central Office" fire alarm equip
ment. There were other types of
alarms which would be just as effec-
tive, they contended
The subcommittee was impressed
by this argument. and Mr.. Harris
reported the bill to the full COM
mittee with an amendment making
1t read that such fire. alarm connec-
tions and remote-control stations
could be connected directly or in
directly to the municipal fire-alarm
central-oflce headquarters"
Mr.. Harris told the committee that
18 companies could furnish indirect
alarm connections, which were con-
sidered just as efficient. and thus
the Commissioners could authorize
either system, but not limit it to
the one which a single corporation
furnished.
At present, Mr. Harris pointed
out, no automatic fire alarm devices
are required in District Buildings,
and 1t has been found that it is not
always safe to rely on the telephone
or on the nearest street corner fire
box.
Engineer Criticizes Bill.
In spite of the amendment. how
ever, Ernest Edward Faller, former
! engineer in charge of equipment
for the New York Fire Department,
told the committee yesterday the
bill, in his opinion "smells fishy"
He still objected to the alarm con-
nection provision and TO other
features although he approved its
general provision for more rigid re-
quirements of fire escapes, exits and
other safety devices.
Stephen T. Porter, chief engineer
of the District Fire Department,
approved the bill in general
George w. Booth, chief engineer
of the National Board of Fire IN
derwriters, praised the general pur-
. pose of the bill. but objected to
some of It's technical language. He
suggested changing certain phrases.
Ingberg Opposed Proposal.
: A sharp critic of the bill has been
S. H. Ingberg. representing the
! Washington Building Congress. He
| contended the measure would setup
an alarm system monopoly and
otherwise would be ineffective.
Engineer Commission Kutz who
sat through the hearings the sub
. committee conducted and other
Commissioners approved the general
provisions of the bill.
Il would not approve any measure
J that brought about monopoly"
Representative Harris commented
, today. The subcommittee has gone
, into the bill exhaustively and has
= tried to meet every objection and at
, the same time bring out a law that
would protect the citizens of Wash
ington"
, The bill empowers the Commits
sioners to draw up flre-safety regu-
I lations after hearings. Certain de-
> vices, however, such as adequate fire
. escapes and other means of escape,
, as well as the controverted fire
, alarm provisions, are specified al
e though the board is allowed dis
cretion in prescribing these safety
= measures.
r Owners of buildings are required
+ to comply with the safety programs
worked out by the Commissioners,
o in conforming to the act. Fines are
n provided for failure TO comply, and
owners also would face the alterna-
I tive of having the District govern
ment construct the safety appliances
at their expense.
Committee Chairman Randolph
: : plans to bring up the bill for the
= third successive time next Monday,
!. :. and the committee is to vote on it.
= with understanding that hearings
y are closed.