The New York herald., 1877-06-24

AN UNSAFE BUILDING.
TWO SIDES TO THE STORY OF TENEMENT
HOUSE WALL.

TWO SIDES TO THE STORY OF TENEMENT
HOUSE WALL.
Another tenement house began to settle, according
to report from tho Department Of Buildings early
yesterday morning because Of insecure foundations,
and during tho day ears entertained by the In.
spec,or that It might fall The building In question ID
located at NO 103 Park place. Wost street, II 10
built OF brick and s iour and hall stores In height;
The lower door Is occupied as p.oouce store by Goet
chius Wood, and nine families have apart
ments in the building. The endangered building
IL owned by Mrs Maria Adams, whose hus.
band acts as her agent for the property A
building Is In the course OF construction
the site adjoining the supposed dangerous structure
and the lido from the North River penerates the
foundations OF both, thus making great strength .
prime necessity IN order TO secure safety those ot the
house wall. THIS has had the effect OF weakening the
wall next to the buidn. now going and that such
would be the result was called 70 the attention OF the
Department Of Bulldogs some limo ago, and the DO
partment ut once gave Mr. Adams notice to have his
building underpinned. II Is alleged thar this prccau
ton was not taken. however, and In consequence tue
work the new foundations had NOT progressed
very fur until the adjoining wall began to settle,
the department was compelled to take more active
than a nero notification to prevent disas-
ter workmen, employed uOdcr the auspices Of the
department, set TO work to strengthen the south
OF tho wall, by direction Of Deputy super
niendent Dudley, who inspected the building yester
insertion OF s.neede" resting upon stanchons at that
end Of the building Inspector McGinnis said that the
partment would do 1t at tho owners expense, but a.
there another side 10 the story there may be
lively time before this little bill Is collected
WHAT NR. ADAMS SAYS.
Yesterday afternoon q HERALD reporter visited the
building and found Mr. Adams on the ground. Ac-
cordlng TO his story, the whole blame, far there
any blame, rests with the Department OF Build
ings. More than wcek ago, he says, he began to
strengthen tho wall, by means OF unierpnnipE and
four them twcnty feet in length the other four
being only about twelve fceI Besides these there
stone was already on hand 10 be used as soon
as The workmsn should have the "shorcs''
IN position. II is alleged, however, that when all
the "shores" except the one at tho corner where
the department are now strengthening the wall werc
~ .he and ,hs nrE "n rn
reason assigned for this action by NJ Adams s that
he had not employed y srlng" contractor 10 DO the
work, but had employed ono who was willing 10 do s
for less money than the other would have demanded
According To mis- statement, the whole trouble arose
OF the fact that he chose to do his own work in
his own way. Mr. Adams thinks the department.
ailer interfering with ms efforts TO strengthen The
apparently borne out BY the peculiar position which
the tenants held yesterday toward the landlord.
THE INsPACroR's STORY.
About week ago Inspector LcGinnis warned the
that II thcy remained they would do IL their peril
that they remained they iclt perfectly secure
in the building. Mr.. Goetchius said that they would
order TO that sec. from me Of Sudns
their understanding beng that upon mere verbal
order they would be responsible TO tbs
landlord Tor she months Such
order the department was mot willing to give,
Mr. McGnnis saying that in the present condition oi
the building extreme measures were hardly warranted,
and be had given tho warnings only 70 be tho
suie II lntimated however. thai II the build
Ing continued to settle In way TO indicate immediate
danger the aid Of the police would be invoked tbs
driven into the streets The Inspector ycster
day repeated warning he had previously gwen. but
he met With complaints OF the hardshps OF paying
double ront sinoe tho department. was unwilling "a
take positive than 70 point out danger