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

Despite prolonged controversy over
one provision of the bill to modernize
the Districts 36-year-old fire pre-
vention regulations, Chairman
Harris of 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 a vote on it
owing to objections raised by wit
neSses.
Monopoly" was the charge hurled
at the bill by representatives of
several companies which manufac-
ture f1re-alarm devices. They based
this accusation on provision
authorizing the Commissioners to
prescribe among other safety regu-
latlons for the larger buildings
municipal fire alarm connection
and remote-control station or sta
tions, to be connected to the mu-
nicipal flre-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
q o rrTIai ipI1 I,
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-
tons and remote-control stations
could be connected directly or in
directly to the municipal fire-alarm
central-office headquarters.
Mr.. Harris told the committee that
l8 companies could furnish indirect
alarm connections. which were con-
sldered just as efficient. and thus
the Commissioners could authorize
either system, but not limit it to
the one which single corporation
furnished.
At present, Mr. Harris pointed
out, no automatic fire alarm devices
are required in District Buildings,
and it 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 I'm
derwriters, praised the general pur-
pose of the bill. but objected to
some of its 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
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 law that
would protect the citizens of WASH
! ington."
The bill empowers the Commits
sioners to draw up fire-safety regu-
lations after hearings. Certain de-
vices, however. such as adequate fire
|
as we'll as the controverted fire
alarm provisions, are specified al
though the board is allowed dis
cretion in prescribing these safety
measures.
Owners of buildings are required
to comply with the safety programs
worked out by the Commissioners,
in conforming to the act. Fines are
provided for failure to comply, and
owners also would face the alterna-
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 il.
with understanding that hearinc
are closed.