Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-12
WHAT PAPERS SAY.
Journals All Over the Country Call
Congress to Account.
FRIDAYS GREAT DISASTER.
It Could Have Been Prevented - Warnings
n to Other Public Buildings Which Are
Known to he Unsafe-The Lessons Taught
Indignant Editors.


n to Other Public Buildings Which Are
Known to he Unsafe-The Lessons Taught
Indignant Editors.
The following extracts from newspapers in
various cities express indignation at the criminal
carelessness Of the government in housing its
employees in unsafe buildings Warnings are
sounded as to other structures which are notori-
ously insecure.
Congress II Responsible.
From the Baltimore American.
The public is temporarily helpless in the
presence Of the appalling disaster which oc-
CURED in Washington, and this sggravates the
feeling of indignation and resentment. Some
body ought to be held responsible for the
wholesale manning and slaughterins Of the
governments humble employees. but SO many
and such diverse agencies must share in the re-
sponsibility that no practical result is likely to
follow investigation. The immediate cause OF
the collapse was unquestionabiy the senseless
digging away Of the support upon which one Of
the walls rested, in order to remedy the sanitary
defects and lack Of light: but it is doubtful II
the wretched rattletrap would have long sus-
tanned the strain upon it, had there been no dig
ging away at the foundations.
part OF the structure was partitioned off
and decorated with the danger signal. Its gen.
eral insecurity was q matter Of gossip, and the
clerks worked under protest and in fear Of their
lives. Official reports OF its insanitary condi-
ton and general unsOundness had been made
thirteen years prior to the catastrophe, and the
museum had been transferred to safer spot,
II being Of more value in the eyes Of the gov
eminent than the lives of few hundred clerks.
The clerks could be replaced. but not the
curioA Congress had been repeatedly appealed
to for an appropriation to make the building
! secure or construct another one. But the
House Of Representatives true to its demagog-
ical ideal prefer red to economic on the poor
clerks, who had no influence, and waste mil
lions upon structures IN small towns, which
would not grow mp to their ambitious adorn-
ments IN generation, If ever.
The clerks salaries first and their comfort
and safety afterward have been for years the
standbys Of these model economists in reduc-
ing the estimates, while the dry bed OF some
rainy weather creek in a remote district has
absorbed the governments funds Just as afore-
time 1t absorbed tho temporary torrent from
the hills. Already it has come to light that
number OF buildings in which human beings
are slowed away during Office hours like sar
dimes in a box are equally unhealthy aud un-
safe with the ruin which has carried mourning
and dcstitution into half hundred homes,
another result Of the miserable sham which the
House has for some years exploited as economy
and which the american with monotonous
regularity has denounced.
Responsibility rests with those in charge Of
the building and the department. to which they
belong, but 1t rests to larger extent with the
House OF Representatives, which, in spite Of
| the willingness Of tho Senate, has persistently
refused. during q dozen years, to grant the
money for the erection OF proper buildings and
the repair Of others in which to house the
humble and faithful servants Of tho govern
ment Those who have been injured aud the
| families Of those who have been slain cannot
sue the government, but IL ever there was an
instance where damages, and heavy damages at
that. should be paid to the survivors, this is
one. and the public should send . mighty ap-
peal to Congress to make some amends to the
victims for the wrongs which departmental and
congressional parsimony and careiessness have
inflicted.
Other Unsafe Public Buildings.
From the Phsdelphia Ledger.
There are other buildings in Washington used
by the government which are believed to be
more severely taxed than prudence would sug-
gest Increase of business has crowded en-
ployes in apartments not designed to contain
80 many. and bulky secords, masses of paper
and machinery have been assembled on floors
not calculated to be exposed to such u strain.
II government employees are exposed to such
risks merely because Of cheese-paring methods
in Congress this false economy cannot be too
strongly condemned. The safety Of human
life should be one OF the first considerations Of
legislator, and it is in no an extravaganza
to vote appropriations. however large, for the
construction. equipment and repair Of build
ings absolutely required for the safe and orderly
dispatch Of public business.
The Washington catastrophe has lessons
which apply throughout the country. Un-
doubtedly there was carelessness on somebody's
part Such accidents are avoidable when in
teligent and conscientious inspectors. nc ting
under comprehensive regulations. pass upon
not merely the safety and fitness of new
structures. but the adaptabiiity Of all buildings
to the purposes to which they are pu:. Ere
quently. with no alteration whatever in the
structure. with no streDg hening of walls CT
bracing OF floors. machinery and<other heavy
objects are introduced into rooms entirely uu-
fitted to bear the strain. The wonder is not that
some buildings collapse, but that 30 few break
under the pressure.
1t is incumbent upon all responsible for the
safety OF the pubic to give serious con-
sideration to the lessons OF the Washington
horror.
Persistent Omcial Negligence.
From ths Philadelphia Record.
The disaster in Washington. by which more
than a score OF lives were lost, strong
mon crippled for life and the historic
Ford's Theater building wrecked, is maniies.ly
to be classed in the list Of preventnbie CASUAL
ties. The building had been condemned years
ago. and had only been kept standing upright
by much repairing. propping up and general
renovation. Under the foundations OF This de-
crepit old edifce workmen had burrowed in
their task Of putting in an electric lgh. plant,
until the walls sagEed ard the heavily laden
floors came down with a crash, grinding and
choking helpless victims TO death. The weak
enod condition of the structure had long been
notorious, vet the perverse national habit OF
taking chances was INDUCED none the less. with
shocking and calamitous results. Tho men who
lost their lives in tho terrible disnster will be
regarded by the public as the victims o. per-
sistent official negligence tor which no valid ex-
cuse can be offered.
1t will be the privilege as we'll ms tie duty OF
the government to make such sud amends as
may be possible 70 the relatives of the dead
| and to the MANNED survivors. Fortunately for
those latter. no ieaping flames followed the col
lapse OF the building, to devour with fiery jaws
whatever tie first frightful shock might have
spared With the advent OF the fire fiend the
fearful scene would have lacked no element of
horror And, while dealing literally with the
victims, the government should by no means