Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-12
WHO Is TO BLAME?
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ICVHUHUPu JTOW ftrSE Fdge.1
sit in bad light, and he was glad to have the
electric light plant put in.

CONTINUED from First Page.)
electric light plant put in.
WHAT COL AINswoRTH SAID.
When the witness was asked as to whether he
knew Col. Ainsworth when he saw him he
replied with seemingly much feeling, 81 do, sir,
do, sir. Let me say en- passant," he contin-
ued. when Col. Ainsworth. or Capt Ainsworth
as he was then, was detailed to take charge of
the division. some gentlemen went to him to
arrange to have the clerks in the division pre-
sented to him and Capt. Ainsworth replied: L
don't want to see any of them; they will know
me soon enough"
The coroner remarked that they would not
gointo matters like that.
Witness said he had not seen any timbering
or snoring up" of the building. The witness
said that Mr.. Gage, one of the killed, had told
him he had applied for temporary leave on &C
count Of the danger in the building The coro-
ner asked If such leave was applied for where
the application would go. The witness said
that there was certain red tape. 1t would 60
to Mr. Brown and then to Mr.. Jacob Frech. the
chief clerk. Mr.. Thompson spoke of Mr.. Frech
as 1.-The right bower of Col. Ainsworth. the
chronic pessimist of Washington CITY," and the
coroner advised him not to let his feelings be
shown In his testimony. He was questioned at
some length as to the mode of getting leave.
what the leave was desired except at certain
seasons
ONLY ONE STAIRWAY TO THE MAIN BUILDING.
The witness said in reply to Mr. Warner that
there was but one stairway in the main build
ing. In the annex there was another stairway,
used by Mr.. Brown. The stairway in the
main building was not sufficient to let
all the clerks make hasty exit.
He had heard clerks remark that the stair
ways would go down. but witness thought they
were well constructed. They were five or six
feet wide. Mr.. Warner showed the witness a
blank form of application for leave. which wit
ness identified as one used in the Office.
Would it have prejudiced the case of a
clerk, asked Mr.. Warner, ''if he had stated in
his application that he desired leave on ac-
count Of the dangerous condition of the build
ing?"
Undoubtedly it WOULD said the witness,
with emphasis.
What" asked Mr.. Warner. "wore the rela-
tons between the clerks in the building and
the officer in charger"
MONETARY SENSATION.
"That of abiect fear" said the witness.
This reply caused a momentary sensation
There was instant of silence and then a
burst of applause from the spectators among
whom were many Of the clerks.
The coroner got to his feet at once and made
a speech, in which he said he would have to
have the room cleared If such demonstrations
were made
WAS the condition Of feeling on the part of
the clerks" said Mr.. Warner, ''of such a
character as to prevent them from making sug-
gestions to Col Ainsworth as to the safety of
the building2'
at was, Mr.. Warner" said the witness.
'emphatically it was
The witness going on said Col Ainsworth
was supposed to be physician and to have a
knowledge of hygiene. vet on the floor where
he was employed l25 clerks were sandwiched in
and there were but three urinals and eight
wash basins provided. The coroner here
checked the witness. saying they were not then
lnquiring into the sanitary condition of the
building. Replying to Mr.. Warner witness said
fear had Fever worked upon him, for it did not
enter into his composition.
do you know Of any application made for
leave during the time OF this excavation based
on fear of the result Of the alterations asked
Mr.. Warner.
Except that of Mr.. Gage, none"
Mr. WARMERS REASON FOR INQUIRIES
Mr.. Warner said he made these inquiries be-
cause they were given to understand that there
was a state of things existing which would have
jeopardized the position of any man if he had
attempted to communicate to Col Ainsworth
any suggestion or fear about the safety of the
building.
Undoubtedly that is So" calculated the wit
ness.
Application after application had been made,
he said. to get out Of the building by transfer
otherwise Some bad succeeded and some had
not. These applications were not on account
Of danger, but on account of the treatment the
clerks had received from the authorities.
Whom do you consider the authorities?'
asked juror. "Who was the man you were
afraid OFF,
'Dr. AInsworth." replied the witness, land
his right bower. Mr.. Frech.''
Mr.. Kellogg asked the witness if he could state
any cases of injustice to clerks.
Il could make list of them," said the wit
ness, ''as long as the Mosaic law
HAD NO ANIMUs.
Mr.. Perry here whispered to the coroner.
who thereupon asked the witness: Are Won
aware of having any animus in this matter on
account Of any treatment You have received or
supposed injustice?'
Nothing at all. sir" said the witness. sex
cept the treatment that one gentleman should
receive from another. have not had that l
have been treated unjustly, but that would not
actuate me a second, sir.
The coroner here received two communion
tons from official messengers. and he read
them for the information of the iury and the
public. One was from Attorney General Olnev.
examination of witnesses. The coroner said he
had declined the offer. as the district attorney
had a representative there.
NO WITNESS WILL JEoPARpIZE HIS POSITION.
The other letter was from Secretary Lamont.
and was as follows:
in the matter Of the investigation now
in progress before the coroner's iury
in regard to the loss of life on June
3. 1898. at the 10th street building
which was occupied by the record and pension
Office Of the War Department, the department
is informed that apprehension exists among the
department employees that they may jeopardizs
their positions by testfying before the
jury. 1t seems hardly necessary
for me to say that such apprehension is entirely
groundless, but to allay any such fear as NAV
exist, beg to inform you that no employe of
the department will endanger his position in
any way account of any such testimony
given before the coroner's jury in this case.
Very respectfully.
DANIEL S. LAMONT
Secretary of War
JEFFERSON W. CARTER.
Jefferson W. Carter, 1872 10th street. clerk
in The office. who was employed on the third
floor of the building. was the next witness.
MIR. Carter was asked by Mr.. Warner about
the feeling between Colonel Ainsworth and