New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-15
MR. CONST1BLES INVITATION

The Superintendent Of the Building Depart
ment has wisely invited representatives OF me
building trades to assist him in determining me
cause Of the West Broadway disaster by WISHING
the ruins and examining the evidence when
they furnish. He justly says that the pnDhc -
greatly concerned in this matter. ana that Inc
investigation must be thorough That the CO.
operation Of numerous persons vanously Ell
gagged in building operations is absolutely essen
tial. that the department having MI Cons'aDie
at its head would otherwise be unable to ascer
tain what the fault was which produced
shocking disaster, is probably not the meaning
Of this invitation II 1t were. the department
would not deserve SO much confidence as II has
enjoyed since 1t came under his control. Ills de-
sire doubtless is TO make report In due time
which will be universally accepted as complete
and accurate. incidentally also he may think
that an object-lesson in careless construction
will be useful to those upon whose Intelligence
and honesty the safety Of the community de-
ponds.
This may indeed be his main purpose. and the
chief benefit 10 be derived from the professional
inspection which he suggests. If there Is sun
doubt as to the precise cause OF The collapse ana
the person or persons responsible there Is none
whatever as to the fact Of criminal negligence
and any measure which Is likely to extend the
knowledge and stimulate the consciences OF
builders Is commendabe. But II Is not neces-
sary or advisable to devote great deal Of time
TO this extra-oficial examination. Nobody
recommends undue haste and a snap Judgment.
but promptness Is sautary In such cases. The
tendency Is to delay. which wears ont public III
terest and prepares the way for Il final excull-
ton rather than a jealous prosecution. A great
many delnquents have escaped their just deserts
because they have been forgotten. This cataS-
trophe ought not 10 be allowed 10 sink into
oblivion through slow processes Of investigation.
Public safety demands an energetic. rsolue.
unfiinching procedure having rigorous punish
ment as its object II the crime which has GER
tainly been committed can be lawfully proved
against the guilty
Having high opinion of Superintendent Con
stables character and capacity. We desire to
caution him against mistake which Is not in
frequently made by public officials Since this
disaster laid upon him special burden Of care
and anxiety and subjected his department 10
some suspicion. his treatment of reporters has
not been Just what 1t ought TO be. They are
citizens as well as reporters. and he is public
servant The community desires and intends 10
fu business. and it regards the investigations
OF the press as a useful. II not absolutely in
dispensable, means of thwartng any possible
scheme for complicatng and confusing the III
quiry 1t Is pretty safe 10 say that except for
the newspapers Buddensiek would never have
been sent to prison, and the newspapers are dis
posed TO render a similar service at this time.
Mr. Constable Is quite right in reserving his
Judgment until his mind has been made up, and
in keeping his own counsel meantime; but while
he Is doing his duty The reporters are doing
theirs and there is neither propriety nor ad-
vantage in treating them disingenuOusly and
discourteously. We notice that Mr. Constable
says the reporters do not like him. II is Of very
little importance TO them and to the general pub
lie whether they like him or moi. excepting as
their feeling may bear upon the question Of his
fitness in all respects for the important place
which he occupies. 1t Is our opinion that he is
a good Superintendent OF Buildings, and will be
a still better one when he has had more expert