The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-15
AN UNSAFE BUILDING.

A Falling Edihce ON Broadway-Scare
I'm tho Great ThoroughfArc-A Wall
Which Should Never Have Been Put
Up-Tho Structure To He Torn Down
Who II RespOnsibles
For some time. especially since several small
shanries ON Broadway, near Houston street, have
been In course Of demolition, the large four story
building No. sos Broadway has been considered in
q somewhat unsafe condition. Yesterday, how
ever. matters came to climax when one OF the
district inspectors. named McGunness, OF the De-
partment or Buildings, reported to Chief Adams
that the building was in . dangerous condi.
ton. This was about twelve O'Clock, and shortly
after superintendent Matsen sent number OF
policemen from the Fourteenth precinct to look
after the matter. 1t was apparent t0>any one
from even cursory view that the building was
all OF what 1t was reported to be. The immense
side WALL stretching from Broadway to Crosby
street, looked in ricketty state, and in some por
tons Dulged out as II threatening at any moment
TO give way. It was also apparent that the orig
inal building Of the wall had been done In
disgracefully loose manner There were portions
OF 1t, extending some feet in length, where the
bricks had actually been put on top OF
each other without cement, and lay together
with wide seams between them. In other por-
tions these bricks had bulged 80 that they were
since the demoltshng OF the shanties next door
has been going on large j0ists have been placed
is such that these immense beams bend under the
weight Of the wall which threatened to fall in
spite Of them Each hour this pressure on the
70 % also great on the BroaSway side;
gave ave way to the extent Of Of an inch and and
q hail. so that at present there Is assure some
the main wal. one OF the nrst things done yes.
terday was to place large jotst TO support the
'front.' and keep II from falling out the side wal
inches between tne noorlng and the plaster, and
Of OFT the ,osts the side wall Is giving way : ~
When the police arrived on the ground yesterday
opposite the building in danger. The annoyance
caused by this was very great as all manner OF
down Prince and Houston streets Thfs continued
until hafpast two In the afternoon. when, 9 cor
non havg oeen On .ne ing
meantime the various tenants OF the building were
notinsd Of its condition, and they moved out very
IN ostrich and fancy feathers, third and fourth
floors; solomon Meyer, hats second noor, and J.
formed Of how bad things were the tenants moved
out with remarkable alacrity and without making
rekaH Concert saloon in the basement said. how.
ever, that he would stay until! he was put out, and
he still occupies his premises Some danger
"
building but this did seem lobe realized except
by the police which kept guard there. During the
afternoon superintendent Adams, or the Depart.
ment OF Buildings, arrived on the scene, and
ordered his inspector, McGinness, to have more
joists placed AGAINST the main wall. which was in
most imminent danger OF falling. Five labOrers
were obtained. and as far az the saving OF the
lumber was concerned all went well, but when It
came to putting them IN position the men saw the
condition Of things and quietly walked away, re-
tusng to work under falling wall
Matters stall remain In the same condition at
present. The main trouble seems to be that d.
recty foundation Of the old building next door
Is removed to make way Tor new structure there
will be further support for the main wall OF the
dangerous building and 1t must inevitably come
down SO thai the condition OF the edtnce actually
prohibits any building operations next door.
me only means believed to be possible is
to pull the unsafe building down at once.
This course Superintendent Adams says, will be
taken. The building No. sos Broadway is owned by
Wood Brothers, carriage builders and the walls
are said to be the same that were injured by the
fire which destroyed the inside building nine years
ago. considerable loss VIII be entailed upon the
owner by the pulling down OF the edi1ce. Poice-
men continued TO guard the spot all night. Crowds
were congregated all day looking on the scene.
The main question Is. Vino Is responsible for the
erection OF such bullding2