Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-12
PLAN TO make
A RIGID INQUIRY
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| CONTINUED from First Page)
| contractor who is known as a nom
practical builder" he was asked
NO" he replied.
Did you ever try to make a test case
or establish a precedent in this respect?"
Yes, several times. he replied. but
| was not upheld In either case.
Dir. Ashford remarked that he prefers
| to say nothing at the present time regard
ing the responsibility for the collapse
Such a statement from ME at this
| time he declared might be looked upon
as an attempt on my part to shift the
| blame. I can say. however. that / am in
no way responsible. nor is any member of
my department. Everything. as far as
my Office is concerned. has been perfectly
proper and in full accord with the law
Computer Somerville Misquoted.
C. ". Somerv;lIe. cornputer. quoted
| with making a statement before the coro-
ner's jury yesterday to the effect that
there is not really safe building in the
city, declared the report inaccurate. say
ing he was misquoted.
What i did say" Mr.. Somerville' ex-
plains was that there are no really fire
proof buildings
Following is the testimony OF Mr.
Somerville. in question, as taken by the
official stenographer:
@. Do you call that safe construction
In case OF fire?
A. No. sir.
Q. Why did you pass it?
A. 1t Is passed all the time and has been
ever since have been in the building de-
partment
Q. Still, you do not think it safe in case
of fire?
A. No. sir do not think We have a
safe building in the, city Of Washington
OF one type or another. do not hesi-
tate one minute in saying 50.
MI. Macfarland's Views.
The Commissioners will thoroughly in
!vestigate the methods Of the building in
spectors service Mr.. Macfarland said
today. 'in the light of the Information
brought out in the inquest. and with a
view to making such improvements as are
possible under the present powers of the
Commissioners, and of recommendations
to Congress where necessary for addi-
ttonal legislation and appropriation. More
inspectors at better salaries and pro-
vision that none but practical builders
and architects shall have building per-
mits are among the things that Congress
ought to grant.
"All the lessons of the accident will be
carefully considered in connection with
the revision of the building regulations
now approaching completion by the COM
mission Of experts appointed by the Com
missioners. whose report has been de-
layed by various difficulties and the mag
nttude of the task. 1t ought to be stated
that the concrete constructions have been
and are being supervised according to
standard in the building inspectors office
in all cases. pending the adoption Of the
elaborate regulation that is being pre-
pared by the experts.
Prefers Not to Comment.
in every possible way to bring out all the
facts. SO that they might have informa-
ton for action as to the building inspec-
ton service and as to the regulations.
The coroner's inquest was thoroughly
conducted. but in advance Of action by
the grand jury I prefer not to comment
on the verdict.
THE engineer department is making a
special inspection of all buildings now
are in unsafe condition in any degree in
the light of the developments in this case.
1t goes without saying that the Commits
sioners will do everything in their power
to safeguard the interests of the people"
Comments by Mr.. West.
Gin suspending Mr.. Ashford from the
duties Of his Office pending the further in
vestigation Of the responsibility Of the &C.
cident by the grand jury and in decid
ing and making thorough examinatio
of the building inspectors ONCE" Com
missioner West said today, the Commits
sioners give evidence of their desire to
meet the situation in vigorous manner.
lone of the lessons learned from listen
ing to the testimony at the inquest Is
that this particular apartment house was
being constructed without adequate super
vision. The evidence showed that the ar
chitect simply made his plans and sold
them to the owner and the latter. having
no practical experience as builder.
undertook to carry the work on with the
assistance of his subcontractOrs.
THE building ONCE has never under
taken and could not undertake to act as
buildings erected In the District Of Colurn-
bia, but there is one method by which the
condition of affairs shown to exist at
this apartment house can be remedfed. and
this method / shall recommend for the
consideration of the Commissioners.
Should Pay for Inspection.
1T seems to me that where any apart
ment house or other large building is
being constructed the owner should be
required to make deposit with the Com
missioners which would cover the cost
of having an inspector on duty at the
building during all the working hours
when in the work incident to the elimi-
nation Of grade crossings the railroad
companies paid the expenses Of the in
spectors appointed by the District. whose
duty 1t was to see that the plans ap-
proved by the Commissioners were faith
fully executed. The inspectors appointed
In these cases should be men of ability,
experience and firmness OF character.
vested with authority to enforce upon
contractors every safeguard necessary for
the preservation OF human life.
To Ask Granddaughter Indictment.
United States Attorney Baker today an
nounced that he will assign Assistant
United States Attorneys Charles H. Tur-
ner and Harvey. Given to continue the in
vestigation into the question of the re-
sponsibility for the collapse of the build
! ing. The results Of their inquiry will,
he said be placed before the grand jury
at the earliest possible time. The grand
jury will be asked to return an indict-
ment for granddaughter against the per-