The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-18
CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.
CONTRACTOR DANT And THE GOV
ERNMENT CONDEMNED
By the Witnesses who Testified Before the
Inquest over the Ford's Theatre
Collapse Victims.

WASH1NGTON, d. C.. June 1L-Con-
tractor George W. Dant was severely
| condemned by evidence given to-day at
the coroner's inquest over the remains
Of the Ford's Theatre victims. although
some Of those who gave testimony against
his methods spoke highly Of his ability
as practical mechanic anda "a bricklayer.
The United States Government also came
In for its share Of condemnation for its
methods Of doing the work Of construc-
ton. Several expert witnesses testified
that the best contractors did not care to
do work for the Government.
Thomas j. King. contractor and build
er, said the Government did not want
skilled men 10 execute IT'S contracts and
would not pay fair prices for good work.
The Government, said Mr.. King, while
IL posted Itself az TO the financial starding
Of a builder or contractor, cared to know
nothing about his skill or ability. An
architect testified that the cement used in
underpinning the piers supporting the
Theatre building was little better than
mud" A builder said the manner OF the
work was suicidal.
SO cOndemnatory Of Contractor Dants
execution Of the work beneath the theatre
were the statements Of some of the ex-
perts that the jurors made inquiries Of
the witnesses giving this testimony as TO
the state of Mr.. Dants mind. one con-
tractor, friend of Dants. said he was
not in good health. This same witness.
Robert ClarksOn, testified that the acci-
dent was caused by criminal negligence
I'm doing the underpinning work.
During the morning session Juror Havey
f.
with Colonel Alrsworth. o. p. Brown.
chief clerk Of the old Theatre building.
Contractor Dant and ID. r. Pullman. the
su5-contractor, TO ascertain If they wished
10 make any statement 10 the jury. Afr.
Havey and other Jurors insisted that
this did not mean that Colonel Ainsworth
was accused or that the jury had deter
mined 10 hold him responsible I'm any
way The coroner took the request under
consideration. Recess was then taken
The attendance az the afternoon ses-
sion was greater than at any previous
sitting. Expectation that the examina-
tion Of witnesses would be concluded and
q verdict reached by the jury caused the
augmentation. but the crowd was disap-
pointed, for the jury adjourned at
o'clock until Monday morning. II Is al
most certain that the testimony will end |
on that day.
A full hour was consumed I'm the ex- |
animation of j. r.. Imbne who was I'm /
charge Of the second floor in the old |
Theatre building ON matters affecting the |
conducting Of business I'm the Record and |
Pension Office and Colonel Ainsworths |
relations TO his clerks Mr.. Imbrie re-
quested that he be allowed 10 testify to |
correct statements TO show that Colonel
AinsWOrth knew of the dangerous coudi
tion Of the old huildins. To his knowledge. |
he said the clerks generally were not
apprehensive OF danger, and no COM
plants had been made 40 him in this con-
necton. Such complaints would 20
through him TO Colonel Ainsworth
Mr.. lmbrie said Colonel Ainsworth was
4 strict disciplinarian. and so was Chief
Irech; but the clerks were not treated
harshly except through the operation of
the strict discipline which prevailed I'm
the War Department. Colonel Ainsworth
was not different in his treatment of
clerks from other War Department Of
fcials. il was true that there was not
that confidence between Colonel Aims
worth and his clerks that might have
existed, but this should not have pre-
vented the clerks from making their
wants known. He knew Of only one case
where n man had complained II was "a
defect in the gas pipe, and IL had been
remcded
The man who had made the excavation
beneath the building T. r. Pullman.
testified that Contractor Daut employed
him TO do the work. He had inspected
he work frequently. but apprehendcd no
iangcr IL was Dir Puuman's opinion
hat either Superintendent Covert or En-
cneer Sasse had charge of the under
linning.
young electrician named Swan said
10 had inspected the excavation before
he accident. and it struck him that The