Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-15
JUNE Is, 1888.


To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The dreadful disaster upon 10th street has
naturally provoked extreme criticisms and over
colored statements Is to all private buildings
whose owners have the government for ten
ant; but the directors Of the Atlantic Building
Company take the position that the owners Of
all edifces wherein there are . large number Of
tenants should at the present time be prompt
to assure both themselves and the public - to
the security and safety Of their buildings To
that end 1 have caused Q thorough inspection
OF the Atlantic building and its contents to
be made by Architect James q. Hill and Builder
Frank n. Carver, and herewith publish the
result OF their inspection and computations
1t Is proper to add that District Inspector Of
Buildings Entwisle (whose word is Justly &C.
cepted as authority in this community pub
llcly stated on the 18th inst in the Epenino
hetos that in his opinion the Atlantic building
Is one OF the strongest buildings in the District;
also that before the building was
originally occupied by the Indian office
Chief Paris: the very efficient head
OF the fire department, and his able as
sistants made official examination and certified
In writing as to the security Of
the building against fire and a. TO
the competency of its FIRE service. There
is no stronger or safer building in the city Of
Washington. and the whole Indian ONCE, With
its entire force, desks, papers, books and
weights Of whatever kind, could safely be put
into the weakest room upon the top floor With
out taxing more than half Of its weight-carry-
ing capacity. That Office, however, with only
ninety employees and not to exceed TWENTY-FIVE
tons weight In all, its people and effects, occu-
pies two and one-third stories and part OF the
basement, covering nearly 20 900 square feet Of
space. A. T. BRIrroN
President Of the Atlantic Building Company.
WASHINGTON, juno Is, 1888.
Mr.. A. T. Britton, President Of the Atlantic
Building Company:
Sir: In accordance with your request have
this day made a careful examination Of the
Atlantic building, and especially OF the sixth,
seventh and eighth floors occupied by the
Indian office, for the purpose Of ascertaining
whether there has been any overlooking of the
capacity OF the building.
L report that the building is, in my opinion.
structurally one Of the most secure and Of
weight-carrying capacity in this city; that IL
was built carefully to carry largo weight; that
can find no evidence of deterioration in the Eve
years since the building was constructed nor
any evidence whatever of structural weakness.
In my opinion, after q careful computation
OF the weight-carrying capacity Of the seventh
and eighth floors, occupied by the Indian
Office, they are not overloaded and they could
with absolute safety carry more than three
times the weight now imposed upon them.
Very truly yours,
JAS. @. HILL.
WASHINGTON, June Is, 1893.
Mr.. A. T. Britton, President Of the Atlantic
Building Company.
Sir: Having constructed The Atlantic build
ing called at your request and thoroughly
examined the building today, and concur in
every statement made by Mr. Hill, architect
In my examination failed to find the ordinary
shrinkage generally found in buildings after .
constant use of over five wears.
/ have been the contractor for q number Of
the largest buildings in this city. and have no
hesitation in pronouncing the Atlantic bailding
to be one of the most structurally secure and
strongest weight-carrying buildings In the city.
Very truly, yours,
FRANK N. CARVER, Builder.