New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-12
THE p1PR PLACE VERDICT.

The utility OF Coroner's inquests IN modern
times is a common subject of discussion. The
verdict rendered on the Park Place disaster will
not strengthen the defenceS Of this ancient in
stitution. The jury listened patiently for many
DAYS to the testimony of experts, public OIL
Gals. tenants of the building and witnesses OF
the catastrophe and in the end concluded that
they had learned scarcely anything of the grave
matter which they had been considering so long.
Thew did determine that some shock applied
TO the exterior Of one or more iron columns IN
or near the middle Of the ground floor was the
immediate cause of the collapse, and they imply
that if these columns had been as strong as they
ought to have been the collapse would not have
followed but this is as near as they come to
finding fault. They censure nobody, but praise
several individuals and the Fire Department.
The one positive result of their labors Is
recommendation that the Governor ask for new
legislation to make the inspection OF buildings
more thorough and valuable.
Now we are far frcm condemning the jury
for not pretending to have convictions when inc
evidence had failed to establish in their MINDS,
though we must say that it seems to us enough
had been discovered and made known TO war
rant the community in expecting very dlner-
emit sort of verdict. But it may be that the
Jury being for the most part experts, were Tor
that very reason poorly qualified to reach q
sound and sensible conclusion. Ihey appar-
entity held so many theories as to the manner
in which a building constructed am used as
This one was might, could, should ana would
behave under various circumstances, that they
failed 10 give due consideration to the manner
in which it actually did behave under the cir
cumstances here present. And in addition to
this much of the expert testimony was cal
culated to suggest hypothesis instead of estab-
fishing facts That, indeed, is the principal
trouble with expert testimony on all subjects
and occasions Occasionally it brings out in
disnutable truth, but more often it leaves the
arbiter in a state Of mind in which the toss OF
coin seems the most available way OF escape
out of the tangle
Here was a building which suddenly and
without any unfamiliar warning sank in q heap
of rubbish, killing scores of persons 1t Is
known that it had long been sustaining weight
far in excess of that which it was meant 70
bear, and subjected to an immense lateral st1aln
from the continuous vibration of heavy presses
| II was not proved, it was scarcely even limited
at that anybody in or near the building heard
an unusual noise or felt an unusual sensation
preceding the collapse The belief in an ex-
plosion. or shock as the Jury called it, is based
not upon anything that was seen or heard or
! felt. but on vague general theories as TO ma
| terialy, construction, pressure and resistance.
| When such conditions as existed here have been
supphed the ultimate result is certain, but the
precise moment of ruin is beyond human com
mutation Iust what if ANYTHING the Jury had
in mind as an alternative to their benzlne
vapor hypothesis when they employed the
phrase "some sudden shock applied TO the
exterior Of said column or columns" we DO not
know In cases of fatal weakness there almost
invariably is, and in the nature of things must
be- some more or less minute accession OF
pressure in the last instant before collapse. The
conclusion of passing train or falling weight
or even the slamming of door may precipitate
the impending catastrophe. In this instance
somebody may have leaned against one of said
columns" and so brought down the building on
his head. 1t was the plain fact Of weakness
and of overlooking and not the final application
of some obscure force which ought to have i'm
pressed itself on the jury and found expression
| in the verdict.
The recommendation of amendments to the
law we heartily approve. And this additional
legislation should not only authorize and enable
the Fire and Building departments to make
thorough inspection of structures used in manu-
facture and for storage, but compel them to eX-
ercise their powers with zeal and vigilance.
We rely upon the Grand Jury to contribute to
this end.