Evening star., 1943-04-08
WPb Promises
Priorities for
Fire Escapes
Commissioners Firm
On Prosecution for
Sofety Violations

CoSoPCo OAOC1Cu Wy tlC SOllulLS-
sionerS.
Meanwhile, the city heads stood
pat on their orders for prosecution
OF landlords who continue opera
tions in violation of law and regu-
lations.
Police are serving the remainder
OF the 1,780 formal notices from the
commissioners on operators of
boarding, rooming, lodging and
apartment houses that their appli-
cations for licenses have been denied
for failure to comply with fire regu-
lations. This has set up possibilities
that as many as 10000 occupants of
such places must seek new accom-
modations pending provision of fire.
safety facilities, which would permit
granting of licenses.
The Commissioners announced
shortly after noon following a long
conference with department execu-
tives that in cases where permit ap-
plications are denied for more rea-
sons than noncompliance with fire
regulations, the License ONCE has
been instructed to mark new ap-
plications for licenses for first pri-
ority.
Will Be Checked First,
This means that building, elec-
trical, plumbing and health tnspec-
tors will be given first assignments
to check these places, ahead of
others. where the proprietors have
reduced tenancy or otherwise COM
Piled with fire regulations.
However, 1t was explained for
the Commissioners by Corporation
Counsel Richmond B. Keech that
the mere application by the pro-
prietor OF a multiple family hous-
ing for fire escapes would not re-
move him from the threat of pros
ecution If he continues to operate
without a license in a building found
In noncompliance with District reg
ulations-whether it be for lack of
hre safety facilities or for non
compliance with health, building or
other regulations.
At the end of the conference Col,
Joseph D. Arthur, jr., Assistant En-
glneer Commissioners, said:
AS the result of conference with
representatives of the WPB this
morning assurances have been given
the Commissioners that the WPB
will grant necessary priorities for
any h1e escape or other fire safety
appliances which the Commissioners
may order an owner to install in
order to comply with the fire escape
act OF the District
Details to Be Announced.
Col. Arthur said detailed proce-
dure to be followed in the flline OF
such applications (for provision of
nre escapes, fire extinguishers or
other nre safety appliances) would
be announced later in the day. In
general, he added, the applicatio
are to be fled by the owner of an
a1ecteo establishment, not with the
District Commissioners, but with
the local office of the Federal Hous-
Ing Administration.
Col. Arthur said the reason for
this was that it was believed to be
the most expeditions means of
handling priorities in view of proce-
dure which had been established
already between the WPB and the
FHA.
He said 1t was not a question of
needing an application by the Com
missioners for priorities, but rather
that the FHA has included in it's
activities not only provision of new
housing but also renovation of old
houses as a means of increasing
housing accommodat tions.
The WPB, it was announced. will
allocate quotas to the local FHA
once to cover necessary priorities
for compliance with orders issued
by the Commissioners for provision
OF fire safety appliances.
Where to Get Information,
Also, the Commissioners advised
proprietors of boarding, rooming,
lodging and apartment houses who
nave been denied licenses, to tele-
phone to the Office of Fire Marshal
Calvin G. LAUDER If they need in
formation as to just how their
buildings fail to comply with fire
safety rules.
III there are questions as to COM
pliance with building, plumbing or
electrical regulations, the proprie-
tors are advised to call the Office OF
the District inspector of buildings
headed by Robert H. Davis. If there
are questions OF noncompliance with
health regulations, it was explained
earlier, the operators may obtain
reasons for the rejection from the
office of Health Officer George c.
Ruhland.
Other Violation Involved.
However, it developed overnight
that lack of fire escapes was not in
volved in all of the 1,78O cases in
which the Commissioners Monday
ordered service of formal notices
that license applications had been
denied. Fire Marshal Calvin G..
1t developed overnight that lack
VA AL SoNoPCo WdC AIlVOlVCO III al VI
the 1,780 cases in which the Commits
sioners Monday ordered service of
formal notices that license applica-
tions had been denied. Fire Marshal
LAUDER said from his general sur
vey of the list he would say at least
a majority" of the cases required
fire escapes. He added that lack
of fire extinguishers were involved
in other cases.
This brought to light report that
war demands have produced a short
age of fire extinguishers and, per-
haps in many cases in which land
lords are willing to comply, they
cannot obtain delivery of such ia
cilities. according to Mr.. LAUDER.
Among other reasons for failure
to comply with fire regulations, Mr..
LAUDER said, were lack of fire
doors" or Are walls" between the
garage sections of Easements of
multiple family buildings.
While city officials went into the
complexities of making dwellings
safe from fires, the fourth victim
OF a rooming house fire March Is
In the 1700 block of Swami street
N A&>l xAA~.. w.