Rock Island daily Argus., 1893-06-16
PRIVILEGE DENIED
Colonel Ainsworth Shut Out by
Washington's Coroner.
REFUSED LEAVE TO BE PRESENT


ror-The Charge of Intimidation Denied
and Fired Mt the Hysterical Clerks-Tes-
timony OF Builders and Others-Holman
Makes Some Statements Having q Bear
ing on Recent Criticisms.
WASHINGTON, June 16.-The feature of
the new start taken by the coroner in his
investigation of the Ford theatre horror
was the letter of Colonel Ainsworth in
which he asked permjssion-which was
denied him-to appear with counsel and
cross examine his enemies, while produc-
ing testimony to disprove their assertions.
The testimony of those called in to say
whether any one had been criminally
negligent tended to show lack of care.
Ainsworth began with the remark
that he thought the coroner would have
empaneled n new jury and not one already
prejudiced against man who is informal
Iy at least standing in the position of a
man accused of crime.
Accused by the Press and Mob.
While he is not technically accused. he
says, a part of the press and the mob have
accused him in unmistakable terms. He
quotes Justice Bingham's decision and
says that he thinks he comes directly
within the terms of the decision. Il am
virtually although not technically, accused
of responsibility for disaster which de-
plore with the deepest earnestness. In
that connection | am threatened with
the stigma OF criminal charge. | am
now past middle age and have devoted the
best years of my life and certainly my
strongest energy to the public service. /
submit to you that to affiN that stigma to
me hastily and in response to public clam
or for some victixl, guilty or innocent, Is
to do an injustice which the reflection of
calmer moments Will regret.
Smashcs the Intimidation Plea.
1T has been alleged that my presence
tended to intimidate witnesses. How un-
reasonable this assertion is moment S
thought Will show. The fact that clerks
testify and the facts to which they do tes-
tify can he learned by me quite as well
from the records afterwards as if / were
present when these witnesses testify. On
the other hand my absence places my coun-
sci at a decided disadvantages for want of
instructions as to cross-eXamination. 1t Is
a fact well known to every clerk that | am
powerless TO discharge him or to reduce
him in grade. Only the order of the secre-
tary of war can do this, and he has declared
that no such order shall be made in this
connection
Boot the other Leg.
AIN reality the only intimidation prac
ticed has been that of the riotous moi
who have constituted a large part of the
audience in the coronerss court, who have
been represented by volunteer counsel
there and who by their violent conduct
prevent other clerks from coming forward
to testify as 10 the facts connected with
the administration of my office.
/ especially desire to cross-examine those
clerks who have testified before the dep
uty coroner l also wish to have you cal
clerks in good standing in my office to tes
tify with respect to the alleged terrorism
existing there during my incumbency
There are other false statements made by
these former witnesses which / desire t(
have corrected in the same way"
Substance of the Testimony Given.
As to the testimony, the following is &
fair abstract: James \. Parsons examined
the theatre with view to making a bid or
the improvements: did not find a particle OF
evidence of unsafety Edward Clarke
Capitol architect examined the building in
1888 and thought ii perfectly safe: I. b
Entwistle, District building inspector. told
the same story. Francis Sasse made the
plans for the electric light plant, and was
competent to do that; he was not an archi
tect nor competent to superintend the
work involving civil engineering matters
he relied on the competency of the contrac
tor, Dent: was in the excavation moment
before the collapse came.
Took n Different View.
David L. Cissell, an experienced builder
had looked at the excavation two days be
fore the collapse with the view of bid
ding for the brick work. He saw no shor
ing, but did not look for it; had examined
it since the disaster and concluded
that lack of skill had caused the fall. The
work was the worst he ever saw.
Columbus Thomas, another experienced
builder, who had bid on the electric light
plant, said the collapse was due to failure
to underpin. Captain Thorpe. chief oi
the supply division, war department
looked at the work and it looked all right
to him. This ended the days work.
HOLMAN MAKES SOME REMARKS.
He Says the Building Was Never Reported
to Congress Unsafe.