The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-18
DANT LARGELY TO BLAME.
His Work Under the Building Of a
Suicidal Character.

All the Expert Evidence at the In
quest Against the Contractor - A
Claim That Reliable Contractors Do
Not Care to Do Work for the Gov
ernment--Ainsworth a Strict Disei-
plinarian.
Washington, June H. - Contractor
George w. Dant was severely condemned
by the evidence given to-day at the cor
oner's inquest over the remains of the
F'ord's theater victims, although some of
those who gave testimony against his
methods spoke highly of his ability as
practical mechanic and bricklayer The
United States government also came in
for its share of condemnation for its
methods of doing the work of construc-
tion. Several expert witnesses testified
that the best contractors did not care to
do work for the government.
Thomas j. King, a contractor and
builder, said the government did not
want skilled men to execute its contracts,
and would not pay fair prices for good
work. The government, said Mr.. King
while it posted itself as to the financial
standing of builder or contractor, cared
to know nothing about his skill or
ability.
An architect testified that the cement
used in the underpinning piers supporting
the old building was little better than
mud.
A builder said the manner of work was
suicidal.
So condemnatory of Contractor Dant's
execution of the work beneath the
theater were the statements of some of
the experts that jurors made inquiries of
witnesses giving this testimony as to the
state of Dants mind. One contractor,
friend of Dant'S, said he was not in good
health. This same witness, Robert
Clarkson, testified that the accident was
caused by criminal negligence in doing
underpinning work.
A CHANCE FOR THOSE UNDER CENsURE.
During the morning session Juror Har-
vey requested the coroner to communicate
with Col. Ainsworth o. B. Brown, chief
clerk of the old theater building; Con-
tractor Dant and d. r: Pullman, the sub
contractor, to ascertain if they wished to
make any statement to the jury. MIR.
Harvey aud other Jurors insisted that
this did not mean that Col Ainsworth
was accused, or that the jury had deter
mined to hold him responsible in any way
The coroner took the request under con-
sideratiOn.
Z
The attendance at the afternoon session
was greater than at any previous sitting.
An expectation that the examination of
witnesses would be concluded and YER
dict reached by the jury caused the aug
mentation, but the crowd was disap-
pointed, for the jury adjourned al o'clock
until Monday morning. 1t is almost GER
tain that the testimony will end on that
day.
INTERESTING TESTIMONY.
A full hour was consumed in the
examination of j. r. Imbrie, who
was in charge of the second
floor in the theater building, on matters
affecting the conduct of business in the
record and pension office and Col.
Ainsworth's relation to his clerks
Mr.. Imbrie requested that he
be allowed to testify to
correct statements tending to show that
Col. Ainsworth knew of the dangerous
condition Of the old building. TO his
knowledge, he said, the clerks generally
were not apprehensive of danger, and no
complaints had been made to him in this
connection. Such complaints would go
through him to Col Ainsworth Mr.
Imbrie said Col. Ainsworth was a strict
disciplinarian and so was Chief Ereech
but the clerks were not treated harshly,
except through the operation of the strict
discipline which prevailed in the war de-
partment. Col Ainsworth was not differ
ent in his treatment of the clerks from
other war department officials. 1t was
true that there was not that confidence
between Col. Ainsworth and his clerks
that might have existed, but this
should not have prevented the clerks
from making their wants known
He knew of only one case where man
had complained. 1t was defect in gas
pipe, and it had been remedied.
The man who made the excavation be-
meath the building, f. r. Pullman, testi-
fed that Contractor Dant employ him
to do the work He had inspected the
work frequently, but apprehended no
danger. 1t was Mr.. Pullman's opinion
that either Supt. Covert or Engineer
Sasse had charge of the underpinning.
A young electrician named Sevan said
he had inspected the excavation before
the accident and it struck him that the
underpinning was roor piece of work.