Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-22
FoRD's THEATsR DISASTER
Seven Claims Barred From Consideration
by the Commission.
Tardiness of Their Submission the
Ground of Refusal to Examine
Them at This Time.

The Ford Theater commission has drawn
the line on the claimants who failed to pre-
sent their cases before the filing of the re-
port, which fixed the amounts to be paid to
surviving sufferers from the fall of the
building three years ago. This action was
taken this morning. when the commission
met to consider the .ardy claims, that have
been dropping in from time to time ever
stree the report was submitted. There
were seven of these cases on hand, filed by
George NJ Rowe, Chas. G. Smith, w. T.
Faulkner, VIM. F. Reagan, Abraham B.
Keefer, Bernard H. Harrison and Richard
c. Jones. These had all given excuses for
their delay In coming forward, but none al
legged that the failure to file earlier was due
to absence from the city OF physical i'm
possibility to reach the commission. The
usual reason was that the failure Of health
for which damages were claimed had de-
veloped gradually that it was not dis
covered that a valid claim existed until af-
ter the report had been made.
All Claims Rejected.
After celebrating on these cases for some
time, the commission reached the conclu-
sion that the delay of the claimants had
taken them out of the jurisdiction of the
commission, and that their cases could not
be considered at this date. So OF ders were
given tudt tlc papers III the clalmS should
be restored to the senders. whose right re-
mains, of course, to file individual bills for
relief, just as any ordinary claims are
pressed by way of Congress. The principle
that the government owes it to all sufferers
from The fall of the building to pay an
equitable amount in damages having been
established. first b. the appropriation of
$lO5,OO0 to pay the death claims, and soon
to be followed by the allotment of up
ward of $4,000 for the suffering survivors,
it will be perfectly competent for the COM
mittees on claims to consider favorably
any cases that may be proved by these seven
men or others who may yet turn up with
claims.
Grounds for the Action.
The commission held that the presence
iii the city Of these seven men practically
throughout the three years that have
elapsed since the accident. and during the
many months since the work of adjudi-
eating the claims was begun, and carried
Oh with great publicity, bars them now
from coming In to reap the benefits Of the
long and difficult settlement that was
prosecuted with the belief that every pos
sible claim had been filed. Then too il
did not appear from the records or from
the tardy claims themselves that the men
filing them we've carried down by the fall
ing floors or that they suffered from
wounds or other palpable hurts. Hence, a
careful medical examination would be
necessary in each case, and it is doubtful
whether there Is now time to secure ac-
tion before the Senate passes either the bill
or adopts the amendment appropTiating for
the relief Of the survivors. 1t is now un-
derstood that the Senate committee APP
propriations viii accept the amendment
and incorporate it I'm the general deficiency
bill.
Mr.. Tests Death.
In all probability this amendment will be
still further amended before it's passage by
the insertion Of the name of Mrs Test,
widow Of Mr.. Francis w. Test, among
those who are to be paid 5000, for the
death of her husband, which occurred the
night of the day when the commission
filed its final report, and which has been
undeniably traced to the accident In the
report ILr. Test was granted $500