Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-30
Ready to Assist Probe of Building
Inspectors Office.
ASHFORD MAY BE SUSPENDED
DISCHARGED Official Asks Reasons for
Separation From the Service.
Receives Blunt Answer.

On receiving copy of the verdict of
the coroner's jury in the matter of the
recent collapse OF the warehouse building
at North Capitol and NJ streets. criticisng
the methods of the Office of inspector of
buildings, District of Columbia the Com
missioners today sent the following letter
TO the President of the United States:
The Commissioners of the District of
Columbia have the honor to say that they
approve the proposed investigation of the
office of the inspector of buildings of the
District o. Columbia by a commission to
be appointed by you as recommended in
the verdict of the coroner's jury as the
result of the inquest upon the death of
the late Raymond L. Hibbs. which the
jury found to be due to accident and not
the direct result OF the criminal careless
ness of any person or persons.
THE Commissioners would have made a
similar investigation after the coroner's
inquest which they forego in view of the
recommendation of the coroner.s jury.
They will be glad to facilitate in every
way the proposed investigation by a COM
mission to be appointed by you
Ashford May Be Suspended.
1t is considered likely by officials of the
District that Snowden Ashford, the in
speetor of buildings. will be suspended
during the proposed investigation. Either
Commissioner West or Commissioner Mac
farland. it is understood. wi 1 make sug
gestion to that effect. Following the YER
dict of the coroner's jury in the matter OF
the collapse of the Pickford apartment
house several months ago Mr.. Ashford
was suspended for more than two months.
Engineer Commissioner Morrow. who
has supervision of the building depart
nlent, and who considers the verdict OF
the coroners jury rendered Saturday ''the
most foolish thing he. ever heard of
would not discuss the case today, other
than TO repeat mis- opinion of the verdict
and to say~he will ask for a copy of the
stenographic report of the proceedings be-
fore the coroner
II will read every word of the testi-
mony. he said, ''and will then reach a
conclusion. Until then 1 will neither say
anything nor do anything will be glad
TO see an Investigation
Steel Permit All Right.
Mai. Morrow remarked that any sug-
gestion of the permit for steel work at
the warehouse being revoked is ridicu-
lous.
There is no such intention on our part,
and if it is requested by any one else
the request will not be considered he
said. A thorough test as to the quality
and capacity of the steel has been made,
and We are satisfied with It,
Charles w. Clagett, attorney for Will
liam Newman, the subcontractor for the
steel construction work, was asked If he
81 ha nf he nor
NIT He replied in the negative.
Isham Asks Reasons; Reply Blunt.
". S. Isham, the inspector who was
discharged. today called to see Commits
sioners Macfarland and West, saying ne
desired statement of the reasons for his
discharge. He said that Mr.. Ashford
tod him that he was discharged because
he failed to notify Ashford that the build
ing was going up. which would have
caused him to have stopped the work
and the accident. therefore. would not
have occurred. During the hearing be-
fore the coroner. r. Golden Donaldson,
attorney for the owners. stated that The
reason fo- your discharge was because
YOU exceeded your authority"
Mr.. Ashford testified that Mr. Isham
had not been assigned as inspector of the
IRON WORK
TO ascertain the facts. 1t Is explained.
Mr.. Isham visited the Commissioners. He
was referred to Maj. Morrow. Both Com
missioners Macfarland and West saying
he was certainly entitled to know the
reasons for his discharge.
Mr.. lsham says that in asking the Engi-
neer Commissioner for a statement of the
reasons. the latter bluntly and vehement
" answered that he would give none and
would try to prevent ISham getting any
informa tfon.
Mr.. Isham says he will direct a letter
TO the Commissioners requesting them to
furnish tae Information desired.
Commissioner Macfarland said after
Ishams visit 10 Maj. Morrow's Office
that II lsham writes to the Commission
ers and asks for anything reasonable the
request will be granted
Commissioner Morrow said that lsham
requested him TO go over his case and
to explain certain features Of it. but Maj.
Morrow saw no reason for il, and so
stated to Isham