New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-24
CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.

Rarely, II ever has a coroner's inquest been
conducted in more satisfactory manner than
that which has Just dealt with the collapse OF
the Darlington apartment house. The jury was
composed OF architects and builders and there
fore was admirably fitted to act intelligently
as well as conscientously. Ample time was
taken FOR the investigation. There was no I'M
due haste. All the possibilities Of the case were
as thoroughly canvassed as was possible I'm n
preliminary inquiry. The coroner. his assist
ants from the District Attorneys Office and the
Jurors recognized how serious a matter was the
loss OF over q score Of lives through n single ac
cident. They seem also 10 have appreciated
the bearing OF that disaster future construc-
ton in this city and elsewhere. As result OF
this happy combination OF elements clear and
emphatic verdict was rendered placing the re-
sponsibility for what happened on the owners
Of the building and the contractors In charge
Of the iron and steel work, and imputing Grim
inal negligence 10 them.
1t hard to see how any different decision
could have been reached No evidence was
adduced which indicated that there had been
a boiler explosion or that the foundations were
unstable on account Of quicksand. The alleged
overlooking OF the skeleton at the tenth floor
with building material was not fully estab-
lished. Indeed. &c docs not appear to have been
shown Enthusiastically what the incident
which precpitated the crash. This much, how
ever was placed beyond doubt: Plans were
pursued which had not the sanction Of tho
architects or OF the Buildings Department In
the negotiations between the owners and con-
tractors there was a studious effort 20 secure
excessive economy. The frame was put -
gether so loosely that II was not selfbraced.
and on at least one occasion it had sagged so
far out OF plumb as TO attract attention. Final
". the contractors had never before undertaken
a Job OF that character Incompetent as the
latter were, both they and their employers
were acquainted with the radical weakness OF
the design, but did not take adequate meas
ures 10 remedy II. IL such failure. coupled with
such knowledge, was not criminal, then the
world needs new legal standards and defini-
TONS
The cooperation OF the District Attorney with
Coroner Scholer and his employment OF an en-
gineer 70 make an independent study OF the
wreck in Forty-slxth-st. encourage the hope
that Mr. Jerome will follow up the case as
It deserves His present familiarity with IL
should facilitate fits presentation TO the grand
Jury and the prosecution which will be neces-
sary when Allison, Pole and Schwandtner are
indicted Moreover, he ought 10 take the same
broad view Of the affair as the coroner's jury.
Any further slaughter by the adoption Of Bud
densiek methods should be made impossible by
stern Vlndlcauon or Ihe laW' Ohe shudueIs
to think what might be the consequences OF
hesitation in the present crisis.
The recommendations with which the Jurors
supplemented their verdict are, on the whole,
excellent. AS to the expediency of requiring a
license for engineers and architects. some doubt
may be permissible. However. the wisdom OF
enlarging the force of inspectors I'm the Bureau
Of Buildings and Of compelling the owner of
new structure TO employ competent men to SUI
pervise its erection is beyond question. Both
Of these reforms, like clothing the superin-
tendent Of Buildings with summary power, can
be effected by the Board OF Aldermen, and
without going TO Albany. The sooner these
steps are taken the better.