New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-24
THE Grand STREET DISASTER.

TESTIMONY BEFORE CORONER HERRMAN-wHAI
ONE OF THE OWNERS OF TIE ILL-FAIED
BUILDING HAS TO SAY.
"Wu want to be quite sure that we shah not nave
to hold an inquest upon ourselves said one OF the
inrors who sat before Coroner Herman for three
bours and a quarter yesterday listening to evidence
a. to fine cause of the Grand-st disaster; and nat
is the reason" he continued, why we watch IN
spector Estertrook so closely when he draws plans
upon the wall, because you see q large piece vi
piastoring has already fallen"
Insnector EsterbrOok listened attenty ely to the
evidence and gestculated dramatically whenever
Inc cross examined witness The hrst one VINO
testified was John Lusher, of No. 40 D0wnlng-st.
He talked glibly, going into many details to show
that when he added a story to the building the
bren builder for twenty-fOur years twcnty-Ohe OF
which he had passed in this city. On October To-
twenty-five days before the accident he had eX-
amined the building mt the request of Mr.. OBrieD
one of tho owners. After careful investigation nc
pronounced the building unsafe and dangerous lie
said to Mr.. Levy. the other owner, that II the
LuildIng was his he would not stay in the house
moment lie advised O}rien to get permit at
once aud not wait for Levy, as OBilen sald tnat
Levy would not do anything for want OF money
He lad not examined the foundation very closely
because the wall itself was not safe. After his visit
of October 10 he had told several people that the
building not safe, but did not inform the build
ing department for fear that the department would
think that he was looking Tor job.
Mr. EsterbroOk, itcI questioning the witness rs
IN fine way The addition had been made asked him
if he had any reason for fearing the department
Mr. Lusher answered in the negative. and the In
because whenever we smell anything we go for.lt'
John I. Lndskcy, of NO. ~ Barrow-st, Jersey
City tcstihen that he was IN the employ OF MI.
Hanna. the builder, aud had examined the houses
at the req1est of Mr.. OBrcn two or three weeks
before the accident. Aftcr looking all over the
buildings, he pronounced them unsafe. Lare e
cracks were e. be wherever the old work joined
the new. All the floor beams leaned toward the
party wall" said the witness, and told OBren.
who appeared very anxious to take care OIL MS
nroneTty. that the buildings were in dangerous
condition. OBrlen said that Levy did not want 10
have anything done, and | told him that through
the building department he could compel Levy TO
make the necessary repairs. This, ho said, he
julius Levy, of No. 23l East Broadway, the only
other witness called. was questioned at consider
allie length H. said that he had owned the uulld-
/ ING since 1863 but had not made any alterations
| since that time. having done considerable work AZ
that time under plans drawn by Mr.. Snooks. About
three weeks before the accident Mr. OBrlen calico
| his attention To the condition of the building. lie
saw some cracks but did not think there was any
! danger Mr. Iushcr, the builder, was present but
did not inform him the witneSs That mere was any
! danger. Iuahcl had 80 much to say ana talked so
wildly. that the witness dId nor nave lnEGh 10 ~
| with him. Mr.. Levy said he had three builders, y
Shafle * Son. i. Newman. OF No. ~ East curtin
| S., and Mr. Nolinsky, OF No. 2O3 Chaiham-st
| They all examined the bullding and sald that re-
| p1irs should be made before cold weather set IN
! but dii not say there was any immediate danger.
! Coroner lIerrman-hre yon sure 1t was NOS toI
some other reasons that they thought repairs should
| be made at once? DO you know that those people
| ten OF ihpm-arc all cold now
| Witness luccklyl-l didn't know.
| In conclusion the witness SAID that ne received
| SOL a month in advance for rent, and that he
| always kept his property which he cared az much
! for as O'nr On did tor HIS. in good repair lie wa
| pressed and questioned and cross-queSinned as tt
! wny he had not applied for permit to repair M
| honse. but would not give direct answer lie
claimed II was the duty Of the department to hnl
| out when u binding was unsafe Az the request o
Iusp.ctor EsterbroOk tho witness was closely qucs
| n, ned i'm order to Gud out thai the reason why "a
| had not done anything was because he wanted u
| Ill he and did not want To make repair
| mill forced TO DO sd. Nothing however wa
elected from the witness that satisfied the jury OF
The inquest was then adjourned until IL o'clocl
| Tomorrow mOrnlug.