The Washington herald., 1908-06-13
NEW BUILDING LAW
MAY FOLLOW PROBE
Continued from Pnge One.

being such that his testimony would
have weight with that jury, as IL did
at the inquest
IL is now believed that the fact that
the building collapsed was more the fault
OF one particular point than the poor
construction throughout. Several things
have been found which indicate that Il
was only in one point the too great
weight on the flooring. that the building
was greatly defective.
Ashes Blown by Wind.
Although the mortar is understood not
to have been OF the best quality. the con-
crete was really worse. The ashes out Of
which the latter was made have been
found IN many instances 20 be so light
/ that they were often blown away by the
wiad, Ashes 1T for making good con-
crete are not ashes. strictly speaking.
but clnders.
Other government officials have been
called in by the United States district
attorneys Office. and an expert from the
office OF the supervising architect of ths
Treasury also visited the building yester-
day. This official was also engaged in
. .NbblNb AP RiN'AS VI AtAtNNs-
Altogether II Is probable that a stronger
case than was developed at the inquest
before the coroner's jury viii be laid be-
fore tie grand jury next week District
Attorney Baker yesterday gave the case
over 20 two assistants, Charles A Tur-
ner and Harvey Given. They will pre-
pare the bills for presentation as soon as
possible. Mr. Turner said yesterday that
no action can be taken before next week.
Detectives Grant and Helan, old favor
ltes OF Mr. Baker, have also been pat
upon the tran. and will unearth as much
information concerning the fallen fioor as
they can.
VIII Continue the Building.
Afr Plckford, the owner Of the collapsed
building, and one OF the men held by the
coroners jury said that while he did
not care 70 discuss the findings OF the
jury. he wished 10 say that the work
upon the building viii be continued.
II Is known. however, that friends OF
Mr.. Pickford believe that he either will
not be held by the grand Jury or will be
acquitted OF any charge brought against
/ him.
Snowden Ashford. after MS suspension
I by the Commissioners from his position
as building inspector. said that the cor
oners jury had 10 find some one guilty
so for fear OF missing the guilty party il
/ Included him.
Il consider myself in no way to blame,
| said he.
| Commenting on the falling OF the build
/ ing. with IT'S consequent fatal results, w
a. Klmmel. the building contractor. said
yesterday.
While elLeavoring 20 place the blame for th'
recent disaster az Twentieth and streets north
west would 10 not be well % look back about tgi
years az which time the master builders cadeav
ord 70 have law passed that permit should no
Issue unless superintendent wgs named, who va
registered az the building department as such and
under bCndl The honorable Commissioners az frs
iud1r5-d h.. but after a violent protest from th
real estate men and speculative buildCTs they with
drew their ndorsemcnt. and the bill failed 70 become
a Law.
Must Have Master Builders.
/ Il appears 20 be 4 safe prediction that in thl
I near future every building owner must place IL
charge q his building a master builder who j
registered m the oeice Of the building inspectc
and under bond 20 properly construct the work. o
| a superintendent who has passed a civis5r1ic
examination aad under the same bond. a law q
I this kind would dCcstase the number Of accidents
\ vcy ucA-