The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-17
DANT PUT IN A BAD LIGHT.
ALI the Experts Claim That ShOTing
Was a Necessity.

HuO NONNOOltJs
Builder Davis Asserts That No One
Could Form From the Plans an
Intelligent Idea of What Was
Wanted-He Had Warned the Chief
of the Supply Division That the
Work Was Dangerous.
Washington, June 16-In the continued
inquest on the victims of the Ford S
theater disaster to-day T. G. Entwisle,
building Inspector of the district, testi-
fled that the mortar used in the altera-
tions was bad and the brick work badly
done. If he had had authority to pre-
vent it he would not have permitted the
work to be done in the way it was, for
there was too much risk
Architect Clarke of the capitol testi-
fed that the weight on the floor was con-
siderably less than the safety limit
Augustus Davis, builder and an un-
successful bidder for the electric lighting
plant work, said he thought the plans for
the work were such that no man could
form from them an intelligent idea Of
what was wanted He had told Capt.
Thorpe, chief of the supply division of the
war department, that the work was dan
gerous. Nothing was contained in the
specifications that provided for support
ing the upper floors under the excavating
work. In his opinion no reasonably in
telligent man would have attempted
TO do the work without shor-
ing. He said he had told
Contractor Simms before Capt. Thorpe
that If the contract were let TO some fool
he might pull down the building.
THE sUPERINTENDENT CALLED.
A stir was caused among the spectators
when the name of William G. Covert, su-
perintendent Of the old theater building,
was called. The testimony given at the
inquest had pointed him out as having
something to do with the work of putting
in the electric light plant.
Attorney Thomas told Mr. Covert that
he had been called to see if he wished to
make a statement, and Covert declined
the offer He had nothing to do with the
work, he said, and in fact, knew nothing
about such matters. He added that
Col Ainsworth had cautioned him
particularly not to give any instructions
to the contractor, but to go down in the
cellar as much as possible and if he saw
anything going wrong In his opinion that
was calculated to endanger the building
to notify him Col. Ainsworth) immedi-
ately. The witness did not know
whether snoring was necessary or not.
AS Col. Ainsworth observed the work
himself he did not make any report on it
to him.
After James H. McGiT, an architect,
had testified that any man in his right
senses would not have done such work as
that beneath the theater without snoring,
that competent draughtsmen should have
drawn the plans and that an expert should
htar rrn HsnH
TO custom, the jury adjourned at 4:20
o'clock until Tomorrow, when it is ex-
pected the inquiry will be concluded.
DANT's CONDITION SERIOUS.
Contractor Dant, who was doing the
work which resulted in the collapse of
Ford's opera house, is in seHious condi-
tion, and 1t is feared that his mind will
be affected by the disaster. Ever since
the accident he has been a sick man, his
malady being of the brain rather than the
body Once or twice he left his residence
with plans of work he had under way,
but was compelled to return to his home
Whenever spoken to about the calamity
he would break down completely and cry
like child. His condition for the past
three or four days has been so
serious that his doctor has prohibited
his leaving his home and denied the
presence of all save the members of his
family The subject of the accident is
positively prohibited Mrs Dant said
this morning that her husband was very
despondent and that the accident preyed
upon his mind to such an extent that she
feared permanent injury would result.
A report upon the street was that Mr..
Dant had gone crrzy.
ANOTHER DEATH.
A L. Ames, who was injured in the
L
at the Emergency hospital tonight. Mr.
Ames received severe scalp wounds, a
fractured leg and injuries to his back.
He had been improving during the week
but was taken with diarrh9a and death
ensued from exhaustion.