The Washington herald., 1908-06-14
BEGINS RIGID PROBE
Commissioner Watches All
New Buildings.
EXPECTS ASHFORD'S ACoUITTAL
Mai. Morrow Says Changes VIII BE
Made I'm Inspectors Department,
Apartment HOu Crash - Eight
New Buildings Being Investigated.

As an aftermath Of the accident at the
Pickford apartment house. at Twentieth
and streets northwest. on Tuesday last
in which two men were killed and several
injured, the work Of making a rigid in
spection of all buildings being erected in
the District was begun yesterday, under
the personal supervision OF Commissioner
Morrow and Capt Kelly. A report Of
these observations is expected by the
middle Of the week
Speaking Of the possible outcome OF
the investigation 10 be made by the Com
missioners. Mai Morrow admitted yes
terday that there may be several changes
in the building department, but was firm
in his belief that the collopse last Tues
day was In no way due 10 the lack Of
efficiency or proper conduct on the part
OF the District building department Off
cials
Discounts Inquest Verdict.
While there may be several changes
In the personnel Of the building depart
ment. they will in no way result from
the verdict Of the coroner's jury. the in
yestigation TO be conducted by the Com
missioners. or any action the grand jury
may take" said the Engineer Commits
sioner.
Although these circumstances may
have brought the thing 10 a head sooner
than ordinary developments would have
done. there has been friction in that de-
partment Of the District government for
more than a year, which has seriously af-
ha nj fv,
RAISING conditions on several occasions.
Capt. Kelly and have been aware Of
this friction. and have been waiting to
see how things were going to turn out
before taking any action"
! Following the suspension Of their chief
/ by the Commissioners, Friday, the en-
ployes Of the building department have
been perturbed because OF the rumor that
/ there are 10 be more changes in that Of
! fee. Thomas Francis. who has been des-
J ignated by the Commissioners 20 take
charge Of the Office during Snowden Ash
/ fords suspension, was at his desk yes
terday.
VIII Watch These buildings.
Capt William Kelly. who is inspector
/ Of buildings In course Of construction.
said yesterday that there were only eight
Ifreproof structures now being erected. and
70 those he viii devote his time. to insure
their safety and practicablity. They are
| the residence Of Clarence Moore. l746
/ Massachusetts avenue; the residence OF
\ Perry Belmont. Eighteenth street and
New Hampshire avenue; the residence at
/ loo Twenty-hrst street northwest; the
Masonic Temple. the residence OF John L.
| Warren. 21o9 Eighteenth street. and the
/ building for storing seeds. 221 Thirteen
and-a-haf street southwest
/ II was reported at the Office OF Assist
/ ant District Attorney Turner Yesterday
/ that three dozen persons would probably
be called 10 testify before the grand jury.
and that the hearing would likely con-
| tinue until July / Detectives Grant and
Helan. who are daily engaged in hunting
! up witnesses for the investigation, yester-
! day reported progress.
Experts VIII Report to Jury.
Richard Humphrey, engineer in charge
/ of the structural materials laboratories of
the Geological Survey, and L. R. Whitted
structural engineer OF the Treasury De-
/ Partment who have been detailed 10 aid
/ in the investigation into the collapse Of
| the apartment house. have made a thor
ough examination Of the wrecked build
/ Ing. and Will report their results TO the
grand jury.
pathetic incident in connection with
/ the accident was revealed yesterday. when
/ Bertie West wife Of Richard West. the
negro who was killed by the crash Of the
/ building, applied for letters OF adminIstra
ton 10 prosecute a claim for DAMAGES to
support her six children. ranging from
three 10 thirteen years. The woman in
! formed the court that her husband owned
no property
1t is understood George Otis Smith. d.
rector OF the United States Geological
Survey. in a letter forwarded 10 the
Commissioners and TO the district attor-
ney yesterday, offered the services OF ex-
Perts Of his department to aid in the in
vesugatiOn Of the accident
While unconirmed, Il is said the labor
| atories and chemical apparatus OF the
| Geological Survey will be placed at the
| disposal of the District authorities in
their efforts TO test the concrete. mortar
cement, and other materials used in the
fated building that were shown to be
faulty at the coroner's inquest.