The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-10
NEW YORK,
A Safe and Lock Company to be Wound
Up.

A Safe and lock Company to be Wound
Up.
NEW YORK, May 9.-The Valentine &
Butler Safe and Lock Company have gone into
voluntary bankruptcy on the petition of ex-Gov.
English of Connecticut and several creditors
residing in New Haven. Liabilities $4,000;
assets 900. The proceedings in bankruptcy
arc of friendly nature to wind up the concern.
The Post Office Disaster.
A volumnious report from the commission
which recently held a secret sessions in the
office of Postmaster James has been furnished
orders, letters, plans and specifications ETC., to
show that the casualty of the falling of por-
ton of the roof of the postoffice was owing to
the truss made by Haven & Co., being INSULT
cient in strength, and not being properly
placed. 1t was not made according to contract
which specified that it should be like the
others in use, which others still are in place,
and are sufficient for the purpose, and it was
manifestly utterly incapable of sustaining the
roof. They also find the truss was not ex-
amined by competent persons before it was put
in place. The commission also say that the
supports of the ceiling under the room where
the disaster occurred are insufficient, and
recommend they be strengthened
Coroners investigation into the cause of the
recent fatal accident at the postofice was
brought to an end this evening, by the following
verdict:
Charles ii. Robertson and Patrick johnson
came to their death by the falling of a portion
OF the roof of the New York postoffice, on the
LIST day of May, 1877. The immediate cause of
the falling of said portion of roof was improper
and insufficient construction but the primary
cause sof the disaster is attributable to the
incompetency of the agents of the Treasury
Department charged with the erection and
completion of the building, and the United
States government is responsible for the
calamity. An excessive quantity of concrete
was used in the covering of the roof, and the
load thereby imposed upon the iron roof
exceeded the weight for which the iron con.
structed was originally designed by more than
800 per cent. All of this is owing to incompe-
tency on the part of A. B. Mullett, the super
vising architect in charge at the time the roof
was designed and his local employees. The
jury furthermore is of the opinion that the
method now in vogue in the Treasury Depart
ment in Washington of designing and con-
struction of structures throughout the United
States, demands intelligence in local superin-
tendents in this or similar emergencies, which
the government has certainly not in this case
been successful in securing.
The Custom House Investigation,
In the New York Custom House investiga-
ton to-day, Deputy Collector Tanner testified
that OF twenty-five clerks in his division, three
were incompetent and nearly all inefficient,
He believed the 9th and 9TH divisions could be
consolidated. Another deputy collector said it
was useless tieing and sealing packages with
red tape and wax could be dispensed with at an
annual saving of $4,000.
American silk Association,
AT the animal meeting of the American Silk
Associate to-day, reports show that the pro-
duct OF this country for 1876 was 1,284, 1850
pounds, valued at S26 $685. 1903, of which ISL .S11
pounds, valued at 81 ,2525l9, we're consumed in
sewing and twist and 733,049 pounds, valued
at S5,427 ,051 in wearing.
Another Ring Chief Missing,
The Tines announces that Conrad Boiler, one
OF the manufacturers employed by the old ring
and sharing in their spoils, left his home last
Thursday. and has not since been heard of.
His family however believe be will return. A
widow friend of German birth named Henkel
deserted her family the some day, and il is
limited that they left the city together. Boiler
and Mrs. Henkel. it is believed, have gone to
Europe. 1t IS rumOred that he carried from
$4,000 to $4,000.
Miscellaneous.
Sir Edward Thornton, British Minister, and
Lady Thornton, sailed to-day for England in
steamer Scythia.
1t is understood the American stockholders
OF the Emma mine have commenced suits
against Trenor w. Park and others fol
recovery of $2,G00,000.
The father of Charlie Ross is again in.
child.
The annual meeting OF the National
Academy of design occurred this evening,
Among the officers elected for the ensuing
year were d. Huntington, President, aud VIM.
Page, Vice President.
The brick layers strike is at end, all the
shops having given the increased rate $3.50
per day.
1t is reported from Newark that B. T. Moves.
President of the New Jersey Mutual Life
Insurance Company, cannot be found in the
city, but as his trial does not commence till
tomorrow his presence was not absolutely
necessary.
Several more suits of clothes, made up in
England for uptown fashionable gentlemen.
were seized by Brackett the Treasury Agent
while being struggled by steamships pnrser.
- William Manson, proprietor of the Balmoral
House, this city, prominent in Scottish
societies, is missing.