The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-03
THE POST OFFICE DISASTER.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION BIZ CORONER ELL
INoER-THE INQUEST TO BE HELD ON MON.
DAY.
An Informal investigation or the circumstances At.
tending and leading 10 the Post ONCE accident was
Legun yesterday At by Coroner Ellnger and his
deputy They. with the jury, who were summoned
early in tho morning. visited the dead the scene OF
tho disaster and after preliminary examination OF
the surroundings and the ofcias adjourned the In.
quest until eleven O'Clock on Monday morning, when
IL will be held In room No. ~ the second hoor OF
the Post ONCE.
The inquiry begun early In tho morning By
Deputy Coroner Godschmdt, who made autopsy
ON tho bodies OF the three who had died from the
injuries they received by the falling OF the roof tho
Post ONCE. He discovered that Patrick johnson died
OF shock and asphyxa by being suGocatcd In the
Debris He had likewise sustained several slight
tuslons and compound fracture or the lower jaw.
Dennis Fleming OF shock due TO double compound
comminuted fracture OF both arms. Charles II.
Robertson died OF shock due 10 fracture OF the pevs
Tho bodies were turned over TO their friends.
eUnAoNiNG JURY.
When he got through with his investigation Coroner
Elnger was met BY the following jurors who had
been summoned 70 the Chambers Street Hospital 20 view
Henry Fernbach Now York Life Insurance Building
and K N. Upjohn. No. Ill Broadway, architects II.
street; George II. Taylor, No 1853 Duane slrect;
Hunt Church and Cortlandt streets, architect, and
Leopold Edlitz No LIS Broadway, likewise an
ana were introduced to Postmaster James, who con-
vcrsed with the Coroner concerning tho accident for
the inspector OF Materials accompanied party
the OF the disastar During this inspection Of
tho place Coroner Enger and Mr. Oakshott discussed
the accident and It'd Causes and at the time
eral the lesser officials were questioned Informally
of course, as to the weight and character
circumsancos ' which ,i preceded the falling the
structure and everything that might help to throw
IT, Coroner Ellinger seemed very much inclined 10
believe that pure accident not tho way to cnarac-
nns b"ve ans GOOD aes TO DO WIN rms
however, he has determined to find out, and to that
he has put upon the jury many architects as he
could get 10 serve. These gentlemen made very
minute examination OF tho place Most OF the debris
had been removed before the jury got to the place.
for SAFETY Mr. Oaksh0tt said
Coroner Einger's Intention ut lrst was to summon
such persons engaged IN tho construction or this
of the building in the vicinity, and TO examine
them for the purpose OF marking suta bio line OF
Investigation. But Dr. Goldschmitt his deputy, says
he was too III TO prolong The inquiry yesterday, and
therefore adjourned Mr.. Oakshott has been di-
rected to have all tue plans necessary TO proper un
dersandng Of the building, and this part Off, brought
from Washington, where u Is said they now are The
calculations OF the carrying capacity Of roof beams
all made Washington while Supervising Arcni-
tect Mullett was IN charge
EXAMINATION
Several important Witnesses among whom are Su-
Iervlslng Architect HUI and Mr. oskshott, will be ex-
ahmed on Monday morning Mr.. Hill was at the Post
ONCE yesterday morning. In reply TO questions he
SAID that he had clear idea OF tho cause Of the dsas
ter, and that OF tho theories which had been adj
vanced were correct He preferred, however, not 10
commit himself any statement before the inquest.
Tue Impression which he derived from his nrst In.
specon OF tho had been modified by further
animation.
AN ADDITIONAL STATEMENT FROM MR. Null
LErr-THE PLANS FOR THE WORK AND HOW
THEY WE'RE CARRIED oUT-cAUsEs OF THE
ACCIDENT.
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.1
WASHINGTON May 2, 1871
Mr.. A. B. Muiiett ex-Supcrvising Architect OF the
Treasury, returned TO Washington this morning. In
addition TO what he told the HERALD reporter In New
York yesterday, Mr. Mulott desirous Of adding the
following to his original statement
NH. MuLLgrT's STATEMENT.
The original drawings for the work Of tho
New York Post Once were prepared by Mr. Frantz
Schuman, who was then and still Is the engineer OF
the Supervising Architects Bureau OF the Treasury
Department, and 10 not only recognized expert.
but the author Of Of the best works extsnt
constructions Mr.. Schuman has gore over his cacu-
atons to-day on hearing OF the accident, and no
denies emphaticaly that there Is any error In his
Tho drawings, whom completed, were examined by
Mr. MulIett and such additional precautions and work
as he deemed advisable we're taken AMI added
inc contract was awarded 10 the Kellogg Bridge
Company, the President OF which, Charles Kellogg 10
Of oldest and most experienced bridge build
In tho Uncd states and recognized authority on
just such questions are involved IN this matter Mr.
Inc the plans carefully and 10 make any
suggestions that were, IN MS opinion necessary or no.
sraoo M Kellogg dia 50 and bis ssxss sn we're
place under the personal direction OF W. q. Stnemciz.
assistant superintendent and engineer OF the buldin,
gcst any additional precautions or extra work nc con.
sldered necessary.
TnoRorGHxEss OF rHE WORK.
The work put In place without single accident,
and there DO In the building to-day the
slightest trace OF settlement, though the building has
been rooted for three years. during which time
has been subjected TO the severes practical tests the
shape OF heavy gales and the deepest snowials evoi
therefore, affect the stability and safety Of the build
MR. MrLLRrT's RESPONSIBILITY.
Mr.. Mullctts resignation took place January 1875,
two ycars ago before the alterations which wore
the PRIMARY cause Of the accident ~eso
changed and a plan adopted which, though 10
Mr. Mullet's opinion, safe. necessarily caused
under tho attic wall and forming part Of the ceiling
the room. This DETECTION was the cause Of
attic which, It is truo. Mr. Mullet recon mcndcd
IN December last, after his special APP
poin.mens as supcr,n.ending Architect s, o. the
recommendations that the alterations would be
made under MS own supervision which Mr. Hill de-
until alter tho accident had happened that
any attempt had been made TO elect tho
change. MIR. St.inmetz had also been meantime
removed from the charge OF tho work and tue build.
ing placed under The charge OF Mr. Oakshot super
vising inspector OF the stone work, gentleman who
does not profess Ia be An engineer.
CAUSE OF rHK ACCIDENT.
Gr. Mulct, In conclusion, says the probable cause OF
the accident WAS the improper setting OF the truss,
work which should have been supervised by an en-
gneer and not by an ordinary like Mr.
OakshotL Hc also says he fails 10 see why he has
been hold accountable IN any way fer the accident,
or for the safety OF work over winch no mad
neither supervision nor control As TO tho investi-
cation ordered by the Secretary OF the Treasury Mr.
Muilct thinks that should be conducted BY board ol
engineers tor that the questions involved
purely Of an engineering and not OF an archi-
tcclura nature and he has asked Secretary Sherman
to have the exam nation made accordingly.
A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION ORDERED FROM
WASHINGTON
WAsHSGroS, May 2 1877.