Evening star., 1961-05-29
Building Inspection
Fee System Asked
Architect Asks
Free Service Be
Discontinued
BY CHARLES PIERCE
Star Staff Writer

The chairman of one of the
Districts task forces has rec
commended that the Depart
ment of Licences and Inspec-
tions stop providing free build
ing inspections.
Julian Berla, a prominent
and chairman of the
task force which would study
the Department of Licenses and
Inspections, took the position
that the city should operate on
a pay-as-you-go basis in pro-
these inspection serv-
ices, it was learned today.
However, j. J. Ilgenfritz, di-
rector of the Department of
Licenses and Inspections, and
also a member of this task
force team, contended that
a charge for all inspec-
tlonS would be Impractical"
because of public protest.
Study Urged
Because of this split on the
3-man task force, the final re-
port to the commissioners
urges that a study be made of
the need for adjusting fees and
inspection charges. The third
man on the task force was
Ernest S. Miller, special assist
ant to Engineer Commissioner
Frederick ]. Clarke.
These task forces were set up
by the District Commissioners
to determine if further eco
Monies could be made in opera
ton of the District Govern
The Department of License
and Inspections makes about
$4,000 inspections a year to
check for possible violation of
the Districts housing, building,
plumbing, electrical and other
codes, according to Mr.. Ingen-
fritz. He estimated that ap-
proximately 10000 of these
inspections are made without
charge.
During task force delibera-
tionS, it was learned, Mr.. Berla
that it Is worth some
thing for a property owner to
have his home or building in
Spected and learn whether 1t
has deficiencies.
Charge Normally Paid
He pointed out that If a
home owner wants an appli-
ance or a heating system in
spected, he normally has to pay
4 charge for this service.
Mr.. Berla took the position
that some of the additional
funds obtained by making
charges or increasing present
fees to cover all inspection
costs could be used to employ
more inspectors.
He repeatedly feels that hous-
ng inspections. for example,
now are somewhat spotty.
However, Mr.. Ingenfritz feels
hat to tell a home owner his
house does not meet city regu-
ationS and then charge him
'or this service would result in
heated protests.
He also feels that the prop
rty pays a portion of the in
pection cost indirectly through
eneral taxes and license fees.
Commissioner Clarke, when
Sked for his reaction to Mr..
3erla'S proposals, said that a
lumber of the task forces have
recommended increasing fees
nd charges.
Wants Overall Look
II want to take an overall
,ok at these proposals before
up my mind on the
Individual items" said Com
Clarke.
The task force on the De-
artment of Motor Vehicles
lso recommended increasing
ees. This committee, headed by
rancis ]. Kane, proposed rails
lg the present 50-cent fee for
eporting a District residents
aSt driving record to lnSur-
nee companies to 81.
The motor vehicles report
lso advocated requiring auto
callers to pay $27 for every
It of dealers tags. Dealers
ow pay $33 for their first set
nd $40 for each set there
fter.
Mr.. Kane's committee in
orsed a proposal by George
ngland, motor vehicles direc-
II, that the extensive record
eeping activities of his de-
artment be handled by auto
attic equipment.
However, the committee op-
osed a plan by the depart
ent to spend $4,000 to treat
ext years license plates so
ley could be seen in the dark.