Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-31
Grand Jury Condemn the Govern
ment Printing Office.
THOUSANDS OF LIVES In DAILY PERIL
The United States Government Re-
minded Of Its Responsibility.
A TREN CHANT REPORT

As the result of their investigation sew
eral days ago of the government printing
office building. the grand jury this after
noon made the following report to Judge
Cole in Criminal Court No. L:
''The grand jury, recognizing their re-
sponsibility to the community and mindful
Of the general md specific instructions Of
the court, find among the several duties as
signed them, one which calls for an in
vestigation of such premises as in their
judgment are dangerous to life and limb.
within a few days our body, accom-
panied by competent men well versed in
their particular professions, have visited
the United States government printing Of
flee with a view Of obtaining information
as to its condition and as to its being a
safe and proper building for the accommo-
dation of 800 men and women. engaged in
the arduous duties assigned those employed
in the printing office.
The Building Condemned.
"In general terms, We find the north OF II
street building not fitted for its present
uses; built forty years ago, under very diff
feIent conditions than those now existing,
its occupancy should have ceased some
years since.
"A discriminating supervision has, it is
true, strengthened the upper floors by the
addition of what appear to be temporary
wooden supports. placed in position twelve
or fifteen years ago. some Of which are in
and others out of condition. The discern
ing present management of the building,
no doubt, stimulated by public rumor con-
corning the architectural and engineering
conditions, has caused for the purposes of
what We consider to be the present safety
of those housed on the premises the shift
ing of machinery and heavy material go as
to distribute it more evenly over the various
floors, not originally intended. as We have
le eaSon to believe, for such unusual weights
as they at present hold.
One Great Danger.
"a new management of the building-a
small carelessness even on the part Of
those at present in charge, little lack of
oversight in the storage of materials in
use here which are of the weightiest sort
and the weak points which we now feel
to be guarded as far as possible, will he
taxed to overweight, and a condition which
many fear may become a reality.
ITO Ehat we have said We believe to be
the conditions existing in the H street
building we desire to add that We know.
cur fellow citizens employed there are en-
titled to proper light and decent ventila-
tion-both of which are now of the poor
est. An inspection made under such con-
ditions as a grand jury only can make is
far from satisfactory to each one Of us.
And while We do say that subject to the
conditions stated the II street building at
the moment is safe for temporary use, yet
at the same time We are constrained to
think that a professional examination and
a thorough history of its present status
will determine it to be otherwise.
General Conclusions.
This grand jury, therefore, is a. OF the
opinion that the government of the United
States should provide the best and safest
facilities for those engaged as its servants,
beth men and women, in the duties in
cumbent upon those employed in its gov
errment printing office; and (2d We recon-
mend that Congress, without delay, appoint
a proper commission of expert professional
men to examine absolutely and with GER
ta;rty into the architectural stability Of the
United States government printing Office.
Gid) And it is our opinion that a disregard
or the part of Congress to the conditions
existing at the government printing Office
will entail a responsibility which no one
of us would desire to assume, and a liabil-
ity which the government of the United
States cannot afford to ignore"
Judge Cole directed that the report be
filed both for the benefit of the district at
torney and Of the public.
Referring to the report made by the
grand jury. District Attorney Birney
stated to a Star reporter that he had not
yet seen it. and had, therefore. no state
ment to make in the matter.