Evening star., 1960-06-15
Call Proposal
Serious Blow
To Business

ledulnB melCHdnCS warmed
today that a provision in the
city'S proposed building code
would put them out of business.
The statement was made by
the Merchants and Manufac-
turers Association at a public
hearing by the Commissioners
on the recommended regula-
tions.
The associations president,
Oscar I. Dodek, described a
provision for fire safety i'm
provements on older buildings as
unfair" and "undemocratic."
Widely Endorsed
Mr.. Dodek told the commits
sioners that:
Washington business m en-
and property owners simply
cannot pay these sums of
money (to finance the improve
mentS) and keep their doors
open"
Aside from this proposed re-
qulrement, the recommended
new building code received
overall Endorsement from most
witnesses at today'S hearing in
the District Building.
The controversial provisions
would require the owners of
certain buildings constructed
before March 8, 1916, to COM
ply with the same structural
fire safety rules as have ap-
Piled since that date. The cate
gorles affected include build
lngS more than three stories or
30 feet in height, and all build
lngs used for public assemblies
regardless of height.
Wants Clause Dropped
In his statement, Mr.. Dodck
urged that this retroactive
clause be dropped and that
existing regulations of the
older buildings be maintained.
In this way, Mr.. Dodek said,
the businessmen can continue
to make reasonable changes
where necessary" to provide
adequate safeguards.
The proposed code, which
would replace the one adopted
by the District in 1851. drew
about rs persons at today's
hearing. The Commissioners
heard testimony from about 20
individuals and representatives
OF various organizations.
For the most part, the speak
erS urged adoption of the new
regulations but with various
qualifications and proposals for
certain reviSionS.
The Commissioners agreed to
hold the record open for go
days in order to receive addi-
tlonal testimony.
In addition to city officials
witnesses who gave general
backing to the recommended
new code included:
James A. Cassidy, Metropoli-
tan Washington Board of
Trade; A Julian Brylawski,
Motion Picture Association of
the District; Thomas D. Laney
Building Owners and Managers
Association of Metropolitan
Washington, and representa-
tive Of six Washington univer-
sites - George Washington.
Catholic University. Gallaudet,
georgetown, G Howard and
American.
Backed by Realty Men
Clarence Dodge, jr., president
OF the Washington Real Estate
Board, backed the recon-
mended code, but with certain
qualifications on the retroac-
tive fire safety provisions.
Another witness, Mrs. Harold
B. Hinton of the Progressive
Citizens Association of George
town, asked that regulations on
carrying out the Federal Fine
Arts Commissions decisions on
signs be strengthened.
The proposed new regula-
tionS are aimed at catching up
with the advances in the con-
Struction industry, officials
said.
The proposed code, which is
based on consultant's report,
reflects a five-year effort by
District officials and advisory
groups.
Builders would have more
leeWay in the selection of con-
struction materials and a
choice of techniques, while at
the same time standards would
not be lowered, according to
city officials.