New-York tribune., 1891-08-28
RESPONSIBILITY OF PRoPERTY-owNERs.
SUPERINTENDENT BRADY's REMARKABLE STATE
NENT-WHAT Is THE REMEDY

SuPERINTENDENT BRADY = EEMhhhhDLb oiAAi-
MENT-wHAT Is THE REMEDY
70 the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: An editorial on the disaster In Park Place and
the moral TO be drawn from 1t says
II would be at least premature to condemn the
architect or constructor, owners OF this suucr
on nasty generazatons respecting the inferor qgaly
Of thc mortar or the Insecurity OF the floors Loose
writing about shoddy mortar and crlminaily- y-0mu
mantIaps" is not 20 the point. The essential fact
is that a building which would have been equal to
manufacturing was not strong enough 20 bear the
strain OF heavy cylinder presses ard the constant
rumble OF machinery on the top floors
Much more however, than n searching invcstiga-
ton Is required. The Park Place disaster Is o warn
ing that calls for immediate aad stringent acton on
the part Of the bureau of Buildings. That building
which gradually giving way under heavy weights
original calculations Of architects and constructors had
boon exceeded by tho requirements OF manufacturing
LsIo 5 aaa msnS rnsS'q more Snnss Of similar in
which heavy machinery Is operated In the upper
What public safety demands without delay is gen
eral and critical inspection OF al buildings ip this town
I'm which large forces OF operatives and wormen
employed. Ordinary methods Of Official examination
failed to disclose the INSTABILITY OF hls strctiro ana
exposed. Something much more radical and effective
will be required before public opinion will be reassurcd
superintendent Brady, Of the Bureau Of Buildings,
who is the head OF the force of inspectors and ougt
to know the great Importance Of what he says. said
10 a Tribune reporter In interview published on
wednesday
little more sringency In the law, too, compelling
owners OF property 10 do their duty, would not be
emiss We can never get along without tile honest
co-operaton Of the property owners. II we had an
inspector on every block II would not be possible 10
nroyide against accidents daily II the owners Of prop
trtt we're not also working with In seeing that the
Law was obeyed
Superintendent Bradys bureau is all that stands be-
tween the helpless and women and boys and girls
o tender age who work in factories In this city, and the
murderous greed Of property and manufacturers
who pile heavy machinery on the upper floors OF weak
and rotten buildings. When Mr.. Brady mahcs such
confession as he does In the interview these unfortunate
factory operatives may we'll ask In Gods name what
protection have we1" To plain everyday mind 1t
seems thst Mr. Brady IS telling n horrible truh-that
wout the honest cooperation Of property owners the
systcm Of Official inspection would be a nrcc n Il were
not tragedy. Experience also shows that this Official
inspection does not prevent accidents
To a plain every day man II would seem that law
making property erimnally responsible for In
jnry TO fife limb from overweghtcd or rotten build
lpgS would result in The radical and efectives In
spectiOn which The Tribune demands.
II the owner OF the death trap IN Park Place we're
sent the penentiary for yearS and made 10 pay
fine OF $4,000 there woud be fewer rottsn buildings
III this city overloaded with machinery hereafter.
l. q. y.