New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-25
THEORIES ABOUT THE CAUSE
WAS THERE AN EXPLOSION IN THE BUILD
EsG2

MANY INSURANCE MEN BELIEVE THERE WAS
NOT. BUT SUPERINTENDENT BRADY. OF THE
BUILDINGS BUREAU THINKS THERE WAS.
Insurance men who have examined the wrecked
building hold, almost without exception, that the
structure collapsed and that the cause the
loading of the upper stories. VioePresdent Patter-
son. of the German-American company, which has
policy of S13, 500 the rents Of the building, said
Yesterday: "From what patrol has reported TO
me and from what l have seen Of the building my
self am quite certain that the heavy presses on the
upper floors were too much for the building. ! DO
not see how it could have been explosion with no
boilers or combustible material In the building. Had
il been an explosion the rear wall would probab'T
have been shaken From the survey of the BoaIu o.
Underwriters whose inspection Is supposed to be Ce
most thorough that is made for insurance purPVSo''
we regarded the building as all right. Our own III
spectors have not visited the structure since that sur
vey was made"
William A. Anderson, superintendent OF the sur'o'
bureau of the Boerd of Underwriters, said: There
WIS nothing about the condition of the Taylor Building
when our last inspection was made to indicate that
was dangerous: In fact 1t was shown by the In
spectors report to be in fair condition The fact
remains however tlst 1t considered by insurance
companies an objectionable risk as high rate from
70 per cent charged, and the companies issued
policies in small amounts. Still there are scores OF
such buildings in New-York, insured in some OF the
best companies. I don't believe any one will ever
know the cause Of the disaster. aud in my opinion
everything said on that subject now Is more guess
work"
ONE REPORT ON THE BUILDING.
H. Jacobs. Inspector for tho Phoenix Of London
said that he visited this building less than three months
ago and made a thorough inspection. at was In
good condition so far l could see. did not make
anv inquiry as to the stability Of the timbers In the
building We leave that to the Building Depart
ment N was the noon hour when ] was IN the
building and the presses were not going, so that
had no opportunity to Judge OF the weight Oh tne
machinery an satisfied, however. that the con-
slant pounding Of those great presses was the cause
OF the Disaster
West Pollock secretary of the Niagara Fire In
surance Company which held policy Of 5000 on
the wrecked building, said Il am unable TO ac2uht
for this disaster and doubt whether the canse Will
ever be known. We had been making regular In
spectons Of the building, and If there mad been any
thing bad about it the Board of Underwriters would
have reported TO us at once. The architects and
builders were men Of good reputation and we had
every reason to believe that the conduon OF inc
building was good. True 1t had heavy load on the
upper floors but there are scores OF other puldfnge
in this city which shake all over with the vorauohS
caused nv the operation of large printing presses and
other heavy machinery, and which would be lar
more likely 10 be pronounced dangerous than the one
in Park Place.
HE THINKS 1T WAS AN EXPLOSION.
William H. Crolius, secretary OF the American Fire
Insuranee COMPANY which issued policy Of $4,000
on the TAYLOR Building. was the only insurance man
found who thought that an explosion caused the
wreck "a very small explosion said he, couio
have started the wreck. While the building was not
so strongly constructed as Of our modern build
mgs IL was a good structure and would have stood
for many years had there not been an explosion OF
some hndo
President Stone of the Greenwich Fire Insurance
Company which also issued policy for 10000 ON the
building was quite positive that the building was over
loaded on the upper floors, ana That the continual
running Of the presses had weakened the building and
had essened its power to resist shock For ordinary
purposes the building all right, but 1t was I'M
doubtedly this great load Mr.. Stone said which caused
II to tumble He did not think the inspectors could
| be blamed, for the building was apparently In good
condition, and there nothing about 1t indicating
danger. Mr. Stone said his company had carried the
risk nearly twenty years and had at no tine discovered
anything showing that it was bad one.
THEY WILL NOT PAY THE LOSSES.
william H. Randall, secretary Of the Board of Fire
| Underwriters called meeting yesterday afternoon OF
representatives Of all the companies which had Issued
policies the Taylor Building to consult as to the
liability Of the companies only two companies
answered the call and they took the ground that the
insurance companies are not responsible for any losses
on the building or it's contents and cite oause 80 OF
the regular policy, which says that "if building or
any part thereof falls except as the result Of fire. all
insurance by this policy on such building or its con
tents shall Immediately Cease" Another clause also
saws that the companies responsible for damage
in case OF explosion. Secretary Randall says that
these clauses will relieve the insurance companies of
| all liability.
| INTERVIEW WITH SUPERINTENDENT BRADY.
superintendent Thomas j. Brady, the head of the
Bureau Of buildings cut short his vacation which he
| was spending with party Of friends at Rockland
Lake and hurried 10 the city to perform his official
duty in connection with examination Of the build
| ing and to report his conclusions as to the
which led 20 the terrible disaster Tribune reporter
saw Mr. Brady tust after be had completed his in
vestlgauon yesterday
| AZ have no hesitation in saying" the SuDerln-
tendent began when asked for his opinion OF the
Of the fall of the building that It was the result Of
an explosion in the part occupied by Louis Roscnfed.
The building itself, according TO the best information
can obtain was well constructed intact and per
tectly safe The records Of the Buildings Bureau do
NOT show that any defects have been reported In
| I. II was n fve-story and basement building and as
~ was built in the year 1872, IL could in no sense
he regarded as an old building. It's architects were
| n A. J. Jardine who are still in business az No.
| I os2 broadway. and who have always had a fine
reputation their profession throughout the city The
| builder was John W. Hogencamp, of the firm Of
| Iohn W. Hogeneamp Son. No lag West Fifty fifth
- Hs Is reputable builder and Is regarded a man
| Of skill and integrity.
| arhe nlar9 approved by the department show that
,b ,,,dn vs well constructed and Of good materials.
Tn. walls wers Of thickness o. &c 30 20 inches The
timber beams u the floors we're by IA inches In
Size the grders Of Georgia pine, IL to IA inches
thick and the supports were cast iron columns which
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