The Washington herald., 1907-12-02
GIBBS HITS BACK
Fire-eScape Man Replies to
Inspector Ashford.
SAYS HE MUST PROVE CHARGES
Unable to Understand Wherein He
Has Given ofense to Commissioner
morrow and Explains COmPany's
Position in DetaiI-FeeIs That He
ls Undeserving OF "Chastisement."

Adding many new complications 10 the
controversy existing over the statements
ne himself made about the propriety of
Snowden Ashford, District building in
spector continuing in a private business
IN which il is alleged Ashf0rd's official Do
sltion shut out competition, f. f. Gibbs
issued another statement last night.
MF. Gibbs says if Mr. Ashford is not
more specific in his charges that he has
made false accusations he will compel him
10 do so. Gibbs also says he cannot un-
derstand wherein his offense TO Capt.
Morrow lies. which would Justify the
chastisement' he has received. He says:
MIR. Gibbs statement.
I understand that Mr.. Ashford is
quoted as branding my charges as ma
haous taisehoods. 1t is immateriaI 20
hN AT this time. but perhaps II is his
public duty, as well as Capt. MOrrow's.
20 state specifically and precisely lust
Where the falsity OF my statement exists.
20 Iar as ! am concerned Mr.. Ashford
VIII De duiy required TO make this STATE
Ileht' unless ne can show now wherein
the ialsity exists.
In criticiSing my statements. we (the
company would Ike for those who do so
10 confine themselves strictly TO our
statements. We did not say. or have
ever said, that Mr.. Ashford. or any one
else has impaired forbidden information
or constructed the nre-escape regulation
Tor the SPECIFIC purpose of aiding Mr.
Ashford IN his commercial operations
But We did say. and say again. that the
custodian or this information has both
the opportunity and the incentive to use
or sell H. that the regulations do not
recognize the chain escape. II the mere
phNslcai conditions are such that the
standard or the Ashford escape can be
installed. that the balconies required 10
accompany the chain escapes are not
only useless, but approximately double
the cost OF the chain escape and are r
very great detriment 10 the free use OF
the same. and the very fact that prac-
tcally no regulation exists governing the
construction Of chain escapes places the
manufacturer OF chain esca pes at the
pleasure or caprice. 50 far as We know.
OF the executor OF the law. He is quoted
also as saving that his letter 10 Ritten-
house is printed only in part. II he can
supply the missing link IL would seem
very important 10 do 50 at once. as his
reputation seems 20 be suffering for the
Z want Of H. Il would be wel also for
Mr.. Ashford, and those responsible for
his actions. and those who choose 10 de-
fCnd him. 10 give some explanation as 10
his meaning OF the phrase or supply in
formation.
important foInfS united.
Tine alleged nature Of the services 10
be- rendered by the former employe' have
been several times explained. but the far
more important question Of information
seems 10 be omitted.
We would ike 10 ask Mr. Creighton.
the brother-in-law or Mr.. Ashford who
was put IN charge OF fre-escape matters
soon after the tire-escape law began 10 be
enforced. and who presented the picture
AMI advantages Of the Ashford escape
when the enforced landlord objected TO
defaCing his building
II am at total loss To understand
wherein my Offcnsc 10 capt Morrow
+. exists. which would justify the 'chaStiSe-
meut. / went 10 see Capt. Morrow only
after the second suggestion from the
major as matter OF courtesy 10 him.
20 offer an eXplalati relative 10 my
protests and expected 70 leave At once
after I had delivered il. but ne himself
brought In and introduced the subject OF
the Ashford letter Our conversation. it
is true. was quite animated and en-
phatiC. but / was not aware that ! was
50 near the danger line. ] see Capt
Morrow Is quoted as saying: 'ME Gibbs
some months $50 proposed an amendment
10 the building regulation. practically
Prescribing the Gibbs fire escape for use
wherever fire escapes were required un-
der recent legislation. This is great eX-
aggeration, 10 say the least Of il.
The Proposed LegiSIatIon.
The following is q copy cf that part
OF tbe regulations We proposed.
Chain fire cscarCr may b. Installed on buildings
Cr part, q buildings on which IL Is imuracticahlc
% install the standard stairway escape and over
windows and doors 0f Sch elevation that access may
b. had by nreMens ladders provided that there Is
sufficient oTsn space in front Of the said windows
aud doors to raise and operate the hremen's water
tower. extension ladder. Sc
We also see that Capt. Morrow is
quoted as admitting that he gave his per-
mission for Mr.. Ashford. the executor Of
the fire-eScape regulations whose duty il
Is 10 act as impartial judge on the IRE
escape question. TO enter into the fire
escape business, with the understanding