The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-23
FIND IS BUILDINGS UNSAFE.
THREE SIDES or 3 or THEM on
DEREB Torn COMPLETELY DOWN.

Al Are IN Robert Aulds inspection Dis
triet-He Has Ileeh susDended-Ahearn
Appoints Experts and HeVOkes Els-
VHtOF order over HOpper'S Head.
~ q result Of the examination ordered
by Borough President Ahsarn OF all the
buildings that were erected during the cold
weather II has been found that sixteen
are unsafe All Of these will have to be
more or less reconstructed, and some Of
them will have 10 come down.
These unsafe buildings were all found
In the inspection district OF which Robert
Aud had charge. They are in the neigh
borhood Of the two buildings in West iSSth
street, which we're the first TO fall On the
south side OF i4tth street, $40 feet east Of
Seventh avenue, three six story apartment
houses have been erected. The 'viola-
ton which has been recorded against them
a. a result Of the reexamination reads
Rear and east walls badly bulge, over
hanging and out Of plumb at cellar and
first story; unsafe and dangerous condi-
tion."
Work was begun on these buildings on
Dec. 7 last, and between Jan. 10 and March / !
Inspector Aud. He reported the buildings
o. X. after each inspection. He made ths
reinspection on March 20. after the lS5th
ttreet buildings fell
On the north side OF iISd street, as feet
west Of Lenox avenue, five six story fats
have been erected during the cold weather,
In reinspecting them Aud found that the
rear and side walls were bulged and out Of
plumb. Between Jan. 20 and March 20
Aud inspected these fats nine times, ao-
cording TO his reports, and found them o. X.
After Aud was suspended on Monday by
Borough President Ahearn, Inspector
McKenna reinspscted the eight six story
buildings on the north side OF iseth street,
tiO feet west OF Fifth avenue. McKsnna
succeeded Aud and reported on these
buildings az follows:
East, west and rear walls are badly
bulged, cracked, overhang ing and out Of
plumb; ordered torn down 10 foundation
Work ives begun on these buildings On
Jan. Q. From that date until March ~
they were inspected seventeen times by Aud.
He reported them 10 first rate condition
after each Of these seventeen inspections.
The trouble that il piling up against
Building Superintendent Hopper showed
no signs Of abatement Yesterday, although
no moro buildings fell down. Without
waiting for him 70 get back on the Job"
Borough President Ahearn appointed a
special commission Of three msmbers TO
investigate the collapsss Of Sunday. The
msmbers Of the commission are Thomas j.
Brady, formerly Superintendent Of Build
ings; Otto NJ. EidlltZ, president Of the Mason
Bmldsu' Association. and George A, Just.
a civil engineer. who has frequently been
called into consultation BY architects and
bsIiltsra IN unatbcrs pertaining to heavy
construction. All have accepted and. the
commission will begin work tomorrow.
They will report directly 70 President
Ahearn instead of to Mr. Hopper.
Mr. Ahearn particularly requested them
10 find out whether the work on the fallen
buildings was carried out according to the
plans and specifications fled with the
Building Bureau He also asked them TO
report on the character Of the materials
used and make such recommsn dations
as they deemed advisable
Are you going TO remove Supt. Hopper"
was the first question pumped at Presidsnt
Ahearn when he reached his ofioe yes
terday.
Now, II would scarcely be fair to remove
him without a hearing, would t?' was
the answer. When Mr.. Hopper gets home
he will probably have something 70 say for
himself. Personally believe that he Is an
honest man and did the best he could. In
the meantime l have given orders to throw
open the doors Of the building bureau and
to conceal nothing. Any information We
have will he chcerfully given"
Speaking about the fallen fiat houses,
Mr. AheaTn said he believed the craze for
speculative building in the upper part Of
the city was largely responsible for the |
accidents. Il understand said he. that !
some architects sell plans outright and
never 90 near the building while II Is bang !
put Up. The architects are supposed TO
keep an eye on the work, but my informa- |
ton - that many Of them are 30 busy draw /
ing plans that they do not 60 around at |
All and the whole matter is left to the Oon-
science Of the builder
Asked about Hopper's order for a par
ocular safety clutch on all elevators in |
Manhattan, Mr.. Ahearn said;
1T has been revoked for good and all and |
The incident il closed. / ordered It's rovo-
cation before Mr.. Hopper went away the |
asst time and il will never be heard OF gain"