The Portland daily press., 1877-05-03
Launching ut Bath.
NEW YORK,
The Post Office Disaster.

NEW YORK, May 2.-The fatal accident at
the postoffice building yesterday was due to the
removal OF supporting brick wall under the
belief that wire girder could take its place.
The new girder snapped like ppe-stem.
Superintendent Oakshott who has charge Of
the construction, says the wall was removed
and the the girder put in under the order of
Mr.. Hill. the present supervising architect. A.
B. Mullett says the whole trouble arose from
the fact that suspensary truss had been set in
as girder. The brick wall, which was taken
away on the top floor, thereby throwing two
rooms into one, was originally continued up
from the foundation. In order TO form a suit.
able room on the fourth floor for Judge Be ne.
diet, United States District Court, it was found
necessary to remove the brick wal! on that
floor. This removed the support for the fifth
floor wall, and reflections and cracks began to
be noticed in Benedcts room. Hill, the
supervising architect, inspected the place on
Monday, and pronounced it safe and the work
which had been done correct. Mullett says
emphatically that the work was bluuderingly
done. This roof is one of the few metal roofs
in this country which are perfectly ireproof,
and this is due to the overlaying ofthe concrete
on the arches OF corrugated copper. Mullett
alleges that inspector Oakshott is incompetent,
and that the accident is due to his ignorance
At the request of Secretary Sherman Post
master James will have an investigation of the
cause OF the accident, probably BY architects
who have not been employed by the govern
ment.
Mr.. Muliett asserts that the accident, instead
OF showing any weakness of the building,
actually established its strength, as the ceiling
OF tina court room remains practically intact.
HOLSTER who was injured, is not dead but
will recover.
The Grand Jury of the United States District
Court Criminal branch) will tomorrow com.
mence an investigation into the causes of the
disaster. 1t they can place the responsibility
with any definiteness they will fiud indict-
ments against the responsible party or parties.
The Custom House Investigation.
Auditor Ogden testified before the custom
mouse committee to-day, as to the manner in
which the business Of the auditors DEPART
raent was conducted.
Life Insurance Omcers Indicted,
In the court of general session the Grand
jury to-day found indictments against Thomas
a Lambert, president, and Alexander j. Reed.
actuary OF the Popular Life Insurance Com
pany, for swearing falsely to inaccurate state
ments of the standing of the company furnish
ed to the superintendent of the insurance
department. Lambert gave bail to day in
$4,000, Reed in $4,000. Indictments were
also found against Luther w. Frost, president,
and 5. T. Rogers, secretary of the Centennial
Life Insurance Company, for similar fraudulent
transactions.
MiIiionaire's Suicide.
John 7. DAILY, well-know millionaire and
proprietor of the Windsor Hotel, is reported
missing. 1t is believed that he has committed
suicide. The depreciation in the value of real
estate and the expressed determination of the
Park Commission to obtain from him large
amount of money is supposed to have unsettled
MS mind. He is supposed to have had a large
amount OF money in his possession.
Suit TO Recover a Defalcation.
A new suit was commenced on a capias to-
day in the United States District Court against
the bondmen OF ex.Postmaster P. III. Jones, to
cover deficiency in his accounts caused by
the defalcation of Norton, his money order
clerk, amounting to about $50, OOO The bonds
men of defendants of the suit are Chas. Storrs
and Richard Manning as executors of the late
Horace Greeley; Samuel Sinclair, Abraham
Wakeman, Henry Shields. Mary Z. and Thos.
Brennan as executors of Patrick Brennan;
jeremiah T. Smith, Sheridan Shook. OILS
Cutter and Charles S. Spencer.
Senator Woodin's Denial
Senator Woodin testified today before the
Senate investigating committee:
never received check, bill of exchange,
draft, note or any evidence fromiWm. M Tweed
or anybody for him and there is not now or
ever has been such in existence, or any check
or draft made by him or anybody else for ma.
In no possible shape has anytn' ng of any value
ever passed through my hands or been received
by me In consideration of aiy vote or act done
by me in the legislature or out of it for the
benefit of VIM. M. Tweed or anybody asso.
ciated with him.
Miscellaneous
The Brooklyn police are searching for girl
OF IL years named Mary Marsden. said to have
Philadelphia.
Mayor Ely and other city officials today
conducted the Russian visitors through the
public institutions on Wards and Randalps
Island. The were also shown He'll Gate, the
scene OF General Newton's engineering