Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-13
PLAN WRECK PROBE
BY THE GRAND JURY
Prosecutors at Work on Build
ing Collapse Case.
DETECTIVES WILL ASSIST
Widow of Victim Prepares tc Prose-
cute Damage Claim.
MAJOR MORROW EXPLAINS
District Commissioners Arrange for
Inquiry, But Will Not Proceed
Until Report Is Made to
the Court.
DETECTIVES WILL ASSIST
Widow of Victim Prepares tc Prose
cute Damage Claim.
MAJOR MORROW EXPLAINS

The District Commissioners
have decided not to begin their
investigation of the building de-
partment. consequent upon the
collapse in the structure at Goth
and P streets. until after the grand
jury acts In the matter
Assistant United States AttOr-
nev Turner today reported prog
ress. He has two detectives as
sisting in the preparations for the
inquiry by the grand Jury.
The widow OF Richard West,
one of the victims of the disaster.
has applied for letters of admins
tratiOn in order to prosecute
claim for damages because of his
death.
Assistant United States Attorney Tur-
ner. who has been selected by Mr.. Baker
to assist in the inquiry into the RESPONSE
bility for the collapse of the building. to-
day reported progress in the investigation
He had Detectives Helan and Grant. who
the Office of the United States attorney.
looking up the witnesses who will be
called to testify before the grand jury.
About three dozen persons will testify. it
10 expected. and the hearing is likely to
last until July 1. 1t is unlikely that any,
conclusion will be reached by the grand
Jurors before that date.
Expert Humphrey of the geological sur
vey and Architect Whitted of the Office
OF the supervising architect of the treas
ury were at the scene of the disaster
yesterday and took several photographs
which will be exhibited to the grand jury.
The experts also took samples of the con-
crete and mortar used In the construction
of the walls of the buildings. and will
make separate examinations of those
building materials. They will report the
results to the grand jury.
Widow to Prosecute Claim
Mrs. BERTHE West. widow of Richard
West. the laborer who was killed by the
collapse of the building and over whose
remains the inquest was held. today ap-
piled to the Probate Court for letters Of
administration on his estate. Mrs. West
informs the court that her husband owned
no property. but that adninistration Is
desired in order to prosecute claim for
damages growing out of his death.
According to the petition West left six
three years. Attorney John w. Paterson
filed the petition.
Maj. Morrow's Belief
Firm in the belief that the collapse last
Tuesday of the apartment building at the
southwest corner of 10Th and p streets
was in no way due to lack of efficiency or
proper conduct on the part of officials of
the building department of the District,
Mai. Jay ]. Morrow Engineer Commits
sioner declared today that the public
will entertain higher regard for the eff
CenCy of this deJ artment when the in
vestieat on TO be conducted by the Com
missionars is concluded.
Speaking of the possible outcome of the
inve tSalion. the Engineer Commissioner
admitted there may BE- several changes
in the personnel of the building depart
ment
These changes. however. will in no way
result from the verdict of the coroner s
jury. the investigation to be conducted
by the Commissioners, or any action the
grand jury may take, Maj. Morrow de-
clared, although these developments have
possibly brought things 10 a head sooner
than under ordinary circumstances.
There has been friction in the building
department for more than a year. which
has seriously affected the work. and which
has. on several occasions resulted in en-
barrassing situations. Capt. Kelly and
have been aware of this friction and have
ing to turn out before taking any ac-
ton
Commissioner Morrow declined to di-
vulge the names of building Office official Is
TO whom he referred.
Date for the Inquiry.
The investigation by the Commissioners
will be commenced soon as the grand
jury has taken action. The Commission
ers say il would not be wise or proper
for them to make an inquiry prior to ac-
ton by the grand jury.
The Commissioners Monday next will
meet in executive session and formulate
plans for conducting their inquiry. which
they say, is 10 be V -gorCus and thorough.
Upon just what lines the inquiry will
be pursued is matter that ~ interesting
many of the officials of the District gov
ernmeHt who have been watching the de-
velopments of the last three days. There
are TO cha ges against any one.
Each employe of the building depart
ment from the head down. will be called
separately to testify under oath regarding
'all he knows about the conduct and oper-
ations of the Office They will be asked
to explain in detail just wnat their duties
are from the time they report in the
morning until the official day ends The.
will also be asked as to the duties o
Others In this way the Commissioners
say they will readily d scover any flaw:
in the business methods Of the Office ano
any apparent lack of efficiency on thf
part of the employees. They explain thai
if theil efforts should result in satisfac
ton with the office personnel II Will i'll al
proDa bility bring about the discovery o
several weak places in the busines:
methods giving the Commissioners al
opportunity to order improvements.
Under Forced Conditions.
The work in the building department
has been under forced conditions. so tc
speak. Since last Tuesday these employe.
have been more or less excl ed. Fol ow
ing the unexpected suspension Of theil
chief by the Commissioners yesterday anc
the rumor that there to be more
changes in the personnel the employees
as rule. were perturbed today.
Thomas Francis. designated by this
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