Evening star., 1941-09-13
Fund Increase
Asked 10 Speed
Inspections
Personnel Additions
To Cut Backlog
Of Work Sought

lndOeQuacleS OF the Districts in
spection services and the resultant
dissatisfaction on the part of both
citizens and Government, the De-
partment of Inspections today
placed before the Commissioners a
recommendation that funds be pro-
vided in the 1943 supply bill for
employment of 26 additional workers,
including 20 new inspectors.
The budget estimates submitted by
the department for the next fiscal
year requested an increase of $51, ,160
in salaries to permit employment of
these new workers. assistant engi-
neer, principal engineering inspec-
tors, Is senior engineering inspectors
and 5 clerks.
The estimates for the inspection
services amounted to 1888 ,120,
which is an overall increase of
$50, $50 over appropriations for the
present fiscal year. This resulted
from the fact that the department
is seeking $4,000 less than the cur
rent appropriation for construction
of fire escapes in cases where resi-
dents refuse to comply with fire
escape regulations.
Tell of Delays, Complaints.
From beginning to end the de-
partment's budget told a story of
delays in inspections, complaints,
dissatisfaction and absence of in
vestigations caused by the lack of
adequate staffs. The smoke in
spection division hasn't been able
ito scratch the surface" of the
work to be done. The elevator in
spectors are so per cent behind in
investigating complaints of viola
tions.
Building inspectors are finding it
impossible to keep abreast of cur
rent work. Plumbing inspectors have
territories so large that they can't
render proper service Increase
construction activity resulting from
the defense program has boosted the
volume of inspection work ire.
mendously with no corresponding in
crease in the number Of inspectors
One assistant engineer is requested
for examination of plumbing plans,
and two additional plumbing in
spectors would be added to the
present force of H. These are
needed, the department said, to
insure safe and adequate plumb
ing inspection"
Four new electrical inspectors are
needed, the city heads were told, to
carry out the new regulation re-
ouiring inspection and annual license
fee of IS of rooming and boarding
houses having accommodations for
more than 10 persons. The depart
ment also requested one addition
to the building inspection force Of
II ito insure safe and adequate
construction" and four new elevator
inspectors to help the present force
of nine make $4,000 inspections next
year.
Violation Checkup Lays.
Requesting six additional fire
escape inspectors, the department
pointed out that 5000 rooming
houses are being added this year to
the approximately 5000 buildings
now requiring annual fire escape
/ licenses. License inspections now
/ are being made. but other work is
| suffering, the Commissioners were
/ told. The present force of one chief
inspector and three inspectors has
been unable to inspect more than
so per cent of the premises reported
as being in violation of the Fire
Escape Act.
In asking for three more smoke
inspectors, the department said rail-
road smoke inspection has been
practically at a standstill, it has
been impossible to devote any time
/ to inspection of fuel burning equip
ment in residences. and the present
force hasn't been able to keep cur
rent the inspection of equipment in
buildings, apartments and ware
houses.
The department said the five new
clerks would be needed for clerical
work connected with licensing OF
rooming and boarding houses and
to handle the additional work that
would be necessary if the new in
SpectorS are granted.
The sum of $4,000 was requested
for installation of fire escapes in
instances where property owners
refuse to comply.
A. &c. Board Asks S72,800.
Meanwhile, the Commissioners
also we're studying request by the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
for a budget of S72 300, which would
include an increase of S27 ,240 to
provide for 10 more inspectors and
one additional clerk.
With only two inspectors, the
board said it has been seriously
handicapped in making frequent and
thorough Investigations of applicants
| and licensees" The clerical work
involved in the inspection service
forces one of the inspectors to re-
main in the office most of the time,
so that the burden of Investigating
more than 1900 licensees rests on
one man.
consequently, the inspection work
is not as complete as it should be, y
the city heads were told. THE Po-
lice Department assists the board in
many ways, but only at a heavy
sacrifice to their regular police
duties, condition which should be
rectif3ed and could be if the board
has a sufficient number of its own
inspectors. The work would be done
more efficiently and eXpeditiously
as a result of closer coordination
The consequences would be increased
protection of public health, comfort
safety and morals at minimum
cost"
The board also requests $1,000 for
purchase of samples, saying 'it is
obvious the inspectors cannot be
expected to spend their own money
for these investigations"
Architect Asks S65,260.
The Municipal Architects Office
yesterday presented budget esti-
mates calling for $65 ,260, or $3,20C
less than its appropriation for the
| preSent wear The NET saving will hf