Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-20

Former Superintendent Steward De-
MES Any RESPONSIBILITIES for Them.

Mr.. Thomas c. Steward. former Superin-
tendent of construction of the new post
Office building in this city, returned to
Washington this week, after months alb
sence. His attention was called by a rep
resentative of The Star to news item pub
l.shed Tuesday last in reference to the fall
ing of a portion of the big skylight at the
post Office. He made the following state
ment in reference to the matter:
The assertion from any source what
ever that the work which collapsed on
last Sunday was done under nv superin-
tendence is a fal.ehood. The roof, includ-
ing the upper shyight, was put in place,
accepted and paid for prior to my re:nstate-
ment as superintendent. June Z, 1897, and
all l had to do with that skyli6ht during
my last administration to cal atten-
ton Of the department repeatedly to its
defects, and urge most earnestly that they
be repaired.
THE correspondence on this subject ex-
tended over a considerable period and with
the present officials in the Treasury Depart
ment. If those in charge of the records
have defective memories as to the particu-
lar dates on which certain work on the post
office building was put in place a reference
to the files would make it all clear, pro-
vided there was the least desire to state
facts and do me justice.
THE heavy wire guard with iron frame
that fell last Sunday, smashing several
panes of glass in the lower skyiight, is only
one of about two thousand of its kind all
having the same uncertain and precariouS
support, at a height of nearly 80 feet
above the heads Of over 400 clerks and
carriers employed in the central portion on
the first floor of the building. What oc-
CURED on last Sunday is liable to be repeat
ed any day, without the slightest warning,
and 1t can hardly be expected that the re-
suits will always be as harmless as in this
case.
'On my first visit to the top of the build
ing after my reinstatement as superintend-
ent | expressed my establishment to the
gentleman who was with me at the fimsy
construction of several portions of this i'm
mense skylight.
LAS The Star has suggested, an investiga-
ton by congressional committee, prompt
ly begun and faithfully pursued would re-
veal condition of affairs in the supervis-
ing architects office that will be aStound-
sponsibility for the rank incompetency that
exists there today to any past admlnlstra-
ton. A prominent treasury official, in
speaking to me yesterday of this matter,
expressed himself thus: The only cure for
this evil is to abolish the whole office and
all the facts were known to CongreSS-the
true inwardneSs of the situation-this he
roic treatment would be promptly applied.
Il am on record with many pages of re-
ports concerning the troublesome windows,
to which reference is made in the news
item in The Star of Tuesday, but it is likely
that an effort will be made to hold me re-
sponsible for these defects. l sent chal-
lenge to the Treasury Department more
than year and a half ago for an impair
tial searching investigation. based on the
official records relating to this building. in
order that the credit and blame might be
fixed where each properly belongs. If I'M
dertaken and conducted by competent men
along the lines indicated 1 care not how
soon it begins"