Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-29

puileu out straight tldd Oeen dltdSHeu "
one of the trusses. and that it showed
that great strain had been put on it.
Policeman F. S. Hewlett. who picked up
the hook, was asked to show just where
he found 1t. He described the spot ex-
actly. What the jury thought of the
testimony is not known, or whether 1t had
any effect on the verdict.
The revelations of yesterday morning
as to the conditions in the office of the
building inspector were the talk of every
one present during the inquest.
The contradictory evidence offered by
men from that department became a
standing joke, and ''All right. go ahead"
was by-word. 1t was this phrase that
caused three different witnesses to testify
that 1t meant three different things.
When Hill and Donaldson went after
their permit "All right go ahead" meant
to them to put up the building.
Mr. Somerville insists it meant to go
ahead. scrape the paint from the steel
and get ready for an examination or in
speCtion.
Mr.. Ashford. who made the remark.
said he intended to convey the informa-
ton that it would be all right to go ahead
and get a permit.
Methods Under Criticism.
The matter of the inspectors reports
certainly had weight with the jury. At
least one of them showed plainly his idea
of the system in vogue when he uues-
toned Maj. Curtis closely on the filing
methods used.
1t was declared that the Endorsement
that the structure was leaning TO the
north was put on the report after the ac-
c1dent occurred. 1t was plain that an at
tempt to show tampering was being
made.
Also Mr.. Somervile made the sensa-
tional charge that he had not put his
0rfS oil
though it appears there plainly If he
was prepared to back up his implied
charge of forgery he had no opportunity.
as he was, not questioned on that point
after he made his denial.
During Maj Curtis testimony one Jury
man asked Fin what good his office was
If reports could be taken out and changed
or tampered with, but no reply was made
Just what authority, If any. had w. s.
lsham, the field inspector, who was dis
charged after the accident, seems never to
have been brought to light during the in
quest The testimony on that point
seemed to vary SO much that no man
could know just what Isham was sup
posed TO do.
Duty of Inspection.
There was testimony brought in that
lsham had no right to inspect the steel
work. and also testimony to the effect
that Isham was expected to look it over.
MIR. Somerville said that Isham first went
out to the building to look after the con-
crete work and that later his interest in
the iron work was developed. Isham said
that Somerville asked him to 20. X" the
IRON, and Somervile said that was not so
Il told him if he was inspecting the
IRON 1t must be marked" said Somerville
1t had not yet appeared who had
appointed lsham to the work of inspect
ing the iron. Mr.. Ashford's testimony rel
n c t1ry,
work states that Isham had nothing to
do with it, although the records show
1sham reported on it and mentioned the
sags1ng or leaning toward the north Of
the structure.
Also, Somerville testified that he had
made no investigation of the steel at the
site OF the building beyond an eXamina-
ton OF one truss, because, he said, Mr.
lsham was looking after it. Mr. Isham's
declaration was that Somerville asked him
to 20. X" the material. and that he would
not do 1t, but marked pieces he consid-
cred unfit with red chalk.
Somervi1le IS Criticised.
Somerville said yesterday that he had
told 1sham to 20. X" the material if he
found it all right. He also said that
when the old material was taken away
from the train sheds he had intended to
inspect the trusses in patches Of six.
.oH' Sdiu d JuIyuiai, you were go
ing to inspect the trusses six at a time.
but you have said you inspected only one
truss, and then you told the builder, as
far as You were concerned, to go ahead"
There was an effort made to find out
why Somerville and Isham had talked
about the iron work, when no permit
had been granted. Mr.. Somerville could
not enlighten the attorney making the
inquiry. He did say no direct order had
been given Isham not to permit the erec-
ton of the steel.
Mr.. Somerville's testimony practically
closed the inquest. The jury was anxious
to discuss the matter, and the crowd
left the room at about $3.50 o'clock.
1t had been expected that only few
minutes would be necessary to reach a
verdict. The long wait outside the closed
door was a surprise to every one.
Ashford went home early. Somerville
went away, but came back in time to
hear the recommendation to Investigate
the department in which he is an official.
He was nervous. if appearances are
good indications. His face seemed drawn
and he was i'll at ease.
He left the building as soon as the
coroner read the verdict.
Ashford Gives Opinion of Verdict.
II think the inquest went beyond it's
proper sphere. and the verdict puts my
office at disadvantage" Building In
spector Ashford said last night. eve are
just as anxious to learn the truth in
these matters as any one else and would
afford the coroner every assistance in our
power. l viii welcome an investigation
by commission appointed by the Presi-
dent or by any one else"