New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-14
A WELL UNDER THE PILLAR
PROBABLE EXPLANATION OF THE WEST
BROADWAY ACCIDENT. , 4,
SUPERINTENDENT CONSTABLE DECLINES 30
TALK. BUT HE IS EVIDENTLY INTER
FsTED IN THE THEORY.

EsrED IN THE THEORY.
The COLLAPSED building at West Broadway an(
Third-st. was the scene OF renewed excitement
late last evening report had gone abroad
that the accident was caused by laying one Of
the piers alongside OF an old we'll hole. II was
said that Superintendent Constable OF the Build
ing Department had sent word to Coroner Fits
patrick that he had found that the middle COLI
umn had sunk seven and one-haf feet IN the
ground, and that this the cause OK the dis'
aster which Mr. Constable and the Coroner were
to investigate, and the later report was 70 the
effect that first suspicious had been Veriheo'
When a Tribune reporter found Mr. ConstaDie
~ the ruins about o'clock last evening he de-
cI,ned TO discuss the rumor, remarking that he
felt much like saying something that sounded
like well" with the change Of the initial letter.
Il cannot discuss this case" he finally said
pleasantly Il have an impedimeht III my
speech"
The reporter. however, was permitted to enter
the building Running parallel with the west
Broadway wall and through the centre OF the
structure is row Of four iron pillars. The third
from the Third-st. front Is the one which gave
way. Even to an unpractised eye there was GER
tainly something queer about the present position
Of the pillar. Judging by comparison with those
standing two sections. the one from the pier 70
the first floor joists and the second leading be-
tween the first and second floors. were about
thirteen feet in length. When observed last even
ing by the fare Of the newly lighted working
torch about three feet of this post showed above
,he stones OF the pier on which II had originally
rested Stranger still the protruding portion
was right In the centre OF the pier. The stones
were depressed in the centre about the iron ana
were raised at the outer edges OF the squared SUR
face showing that the iron had been iiteraiiy
driven down through the heavy stones breaking
them in places like pasteboard. The fact that
the stones had been so peculiarly disturoeo
would tend TO arouse the suspicious OF expert in
vestigators, and while Superintendent Constape
would say nothing 1t apparent that he had
become deeply interested in the matter for new
reason
The debris has been all cleared from about this
particular pier. and partly circling II was an exc
cavation nearly three feet In depth. newly maze
and nicely cut to a circle, showing that IT was
not made in the ordinary process or removing
fallen obstructions. Any one VINO wishes ~ at
liberty TO believe that the iron pillar was driven
through the solid stone by the weight OF tne ae.
scandinp mass from above but there will be just
as many who will believe that the crucial poine
of weakness lay below the base Of the pier, until
Mr. Constables impediment OF speech mas S Seen
officially removed The pier might nave peen
weakened too, by the general overwelgntlng OK
the entire structure. Battalion Chief Lally mace
a discovery during the afternoon that has carried
conviction to the minds OF a good many puliders.
Ee found that the stones Of the piers under TWO
others of the supporting columns had been snat-
tered or crushed. This led him TO give credence
Immediately TO the theory or an over"e.gn'eo
superstructure. -
The we'll was alleged by its discoverers to %
eight feet in diameter and nearly six feet IN
depth. 1t had been partially filled in with the
debris from the old building which was torn
| away to make room for the present structure:
| In the excavation referred to II was found thas
| the east half Of the hole had been filled In VIII
concrete to give solid base for the pier. Tnis.
It was urged was all-sufficient evidence 10 90
away with a theory alarming in its aspects
While the Tribune reporter was investigatln8
the surface indications about the pier Superin-
tendent Constable delivered his orders 10 the
officers guarding the approaches to the building
that no one was TO be admitted TO the ruins mere.
after until after the inquest, unless proVioeo
with an official pass.
The sergeant in charge was asked II the work
mon would attempt to remove the iron pillar
! from, the centre of the pier He replied with un-
| mistakable earnestness: "No. sir. not much They
| won't touch that pillar. That is the evidence IN
| this case"