990121_Page_3

in force as useless and not productive of results equivalent to
the costs thereof, and rather than see them so continued
would recommend their repeal.
However as a remedy permit us to suggest first the passage of
an ordinance that shall require the submission and examination
of plans of proposed buildings prior to the granting of building permits;
That the Inspector may inquire into their conformity with the
building ordinances; This course is desirable in the first
place, because few of us builders can keep posted regarding st-
atutory requirements of building Ordinances and further the In-
spector with the laws before him is better qualified to pass
upon the plans than we are in this regard; Second that espec-
ially in the business quarters a carful scrutiny should be kept
upon building operations that the construction shall be kept
within the laws. In addition to the above we would recommend
that said office be made an adjunct of the board of Fire Commis-
sioners for the reason first, that the major part of the rules
prescribed in the building Ordinances are for the express pur-
pose of reducing the fire risk, second that the records of said
office being thus a part of the records of the fire department
would impose an additional obstacle to the infringement of the
laws, or the violation of those rules which are admitted to
govern in the fixing of Insurance rates, as these matters would
be brought more prominently to the view of Insurance men in this
department than in any other thereby securing a more certain
conformity to law on part of owners and builders; third, in case
of conflagration it has in older cities been demonstrated that
the recording of plans of interior construction greatly assisted
the efforts of the fire department. And lastly we urge again