New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-02
THE PARK PLACE TRAGEDY.


Resnnnsibility for the shameful neglect which
permitted at least two bodies to lie undiscovered
for FIVE DAVIS in the Park Place wreck has moi
vet been accurately apportioned. The Health
Department, the Fire Department and the con,
tractor must share the blame and odium unuI
some more satisfactory exculpation Is forth
coming than any one OF them was able to,fur-
nish Yesterday Mayor Grant expressed the
exact truth when he declared that the failure
to complete the search was a public shame
His letters to the departments involved were
commercially vigorous and indignant, and the
fact that it was through his personal Inspection
that the facts were discovered enhances our re-
gret that he was absent from the city at the
time Of the disaster and for several days alter
ward. 1t must now be painful reflection 70
the Mayor that his presence in the City Hal
during the first hours of the exploration might
have supplied the stimulus to Jealous ehor'
which was so obviously lacking.
The truth is that the work at the Park Pace
ruins has discredted the city at all stages OF It's
progress. Every passer-by could see that II
was slow and now we have before us slckenlng
proof that it was careless. AS a consequence
of the Mayors discoveries some energy was
exhibited yesterday, and there is now little dan
ger that the task will be finally left hall done
But even this sharp reminder of past delinquency
did not produce an altogether satisfactory re-
suit. Observers detected numerous signs OF
friction and discomfort, and want or system
and authority 1t is TO be noted also, as an
evidence of slpshod management whoever may
he responsible therefor, that the lettering wall
of an adjacent building which was Inspected
condemned and ordered to be pulled down last
week, still stands untouched If it was dan
gerous a week ago it is more dangerous now
but some conflict of interest or convenience has
postponed its demolition.
While the renewed search for bodies was
going on yesterday the CoroneTs jury was en-
de3voring to ascertain the cause OF the cataS-
trophe. The testimony produced at the Inquest
thus far is not new in kind, but 1t confirms the
informal verdict of common report, that the
building collapsed because it was overloaded
and no longer able to bear the strain put upon
IT, The evidence to this effect has been stead
ilv accommodating from the outset. Yesterday
under ss-examination, one OF the occupants
so far refreshed his memory as to recall the
circumstance that thore were about forty tons
of lithOgraphing stones on the fourth fioor, ano
in addition from fifteen to twenty tons OF
paper, and that the fifth floor contained heav!
machinery and supplies-all this being supple
mentary to his inventory originally submitted
to the District Attorney. This is one Of numer-
Gus discoveries which justify astOnishment thai
the building stood 50 long, and 1t inevitably
tends to strengthen the belief that many Other
structures in this CITY are hourly tasked beyond
their strength. Popular alarm is easily and
quickly quoted, and the monumental horror III
Park Pace will soon drop out of recollection
but public officials have no right to reckon upon
the general forgetfulness 1t is their business
to apply the lesson for the security Of the COM
munity with all possible diligence and thor
oughnesS The Coroners inquest, and, per-
haps, a Grand Jury presentment, may help
them to do their duty