Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25
w INDER'S BUILDING
Some Clerks Employed in It Anxious as to
Its Security.
Auditor Fnrr.w Has No Fears on the
Subject-Report of n Recent Ex-
animation by an Expert.

Several of the clerks in the Winder build
irg, 18th street, occupied by the office
of the auditor for the War Department
have recently expressed doubt as to the en-
tire safety of the building. They have
made no formal complaint to the authoci-
ties, but have not hesitated to disclose their
uneasincss privately to their friends. The
principal cause of their apprehension is a
recent addition to the large stock of files
stored in the building. The fact that these
files were all placed in the bas ament
where they could not possibly add the
slightest strain to the walls, was entirely
overlooked by the timid ones, who appar-
emily considered nothing but the age of the
structure and the existence of certain
cracks in the front wall. They disregarded
entirely the fact that these cracks origi-
nally appeared many years ago, and have
rot become any larger, and the further
fact that the walls have since been re-
peatedly inspected by competent engineers
and architects, and pronounced safe and
sound.
Auditor FarrOvy Satisfied.
Col. Farrow, the auditor, talked frankly
with Star reporter on the subject today.
He said he was not aware of the existence
of any uneasiness about the safety of the
building. He certainly felt none himself,
and if any of the officials, clerks or en-
ployes were uneasy on that score, they
had scrupulously concealed it from him.
His office was on the third floor and nat
urally he was as much interested in the
safety of the building as the other occu-
pants. When the accounting system of the
Treasury Department was reorgan.Zed in
October last under the Dockery plan. it be-
came necessary, Auditor Farrow explained,
to transfer to and from the office a large
number of files. AS the transfer involved
4fr~L&
of the walls, he requested, as matter of
precaution, that they be examined by a
competent engineer or architect.
HIS suggestion in this matter was
spected by the Secretary of the Treasury,
and an expert was detailed to make an
examination. AS result of his report
measures were taken to insure the perfect
stability of the walls, ard props were made
at all doubtful points The inspection
showed that the wallis were Of unusual
thickness. and that the structure was per-
fectly safe and secure in every respect.
More recently the chief clerk of the Treas
ury Department found 1t necessary to
transfer additional files to the office for
storage, and notwithstanding they were
al placed In the basement. the auditor re-
quested simply as a precautionary meas
ure that the building be again examined
In order to determine the perfect propriety
or the transaction. Accordingly another
the same result as before, viz. that the
security of the building was in nowise
impaired by the transaction. .-.l
Confidence in the Buildings Safety.
Colorel Farrow expressed confidence in
the perfect safety of the building, and said
he was surprised to hear that any of his
clerks felt the slightest uneasiness in the
matter. He referred the reporter to Mr.
Logan Carlisle. chief clerk and superin-
terdent of the Treasury Department, as an
official who could give more details as to
the results of the examinations of the
building. Upon application TO Mr.. Carlisle
the reporter received corrobora ton of Col
onel Farrow's statements, and was shown
the report of Mr.. c. E. Young the expert
of the architects office who examined
the Winder building a few weeks ago.
1t showed that certain changes had been
recommended to meet the redistribution of
the weights of the building and that the
grade of the terrace be changed so as to
secure a better drainage from the walls.
a contract has been made for this last
mentioned work, and it will be executed in
a short time. This improvement will serve
to keep the foundations dry and free from
surface drainage. All the other sugges-
tions made by the expert, including the
placing of posts under the beams of the
first floor. have been faithfully carried out
According to Mr.. Carlisle the building is
as strong and safe as the treasury build
ing itself.