The Washington times., 1908-07-24
Owner of Apartment Build
ing and Albert S. Rea-
Wis Named.
ASHFORD CHARGES
IGNORED BY JURY
Field Impectors Too Few and
Not Paid Enough InqIis-
itors Declare.

Indictments were returned today by
the grand jury against Thomas II. Pick
ford and Albert S. Reavis, charging
manslaughter in connection with the
accident at Twentieth and streets
June 8. when the Pickford apartment
house, in course Of construction, col
lapsed, instantly killing Richard West
and Lemuel Stoneking
Tie grand jury ignored charges
against Snowden Ashford, Inspector Of
Buildings; Harry Blake. an employe OF
Barber & Ross. foreman OF the iron
construction, and Frank Bayne, brick
contractor.
Mr.. PicldOrd, who was arrested short
ly after the accident, and who gave a
bond of $500 for his appearance when
wanted. is indicted as the owner OF the
building. Albert Reavis is indicted as
president and treasurer Of the A. 5.
Reavis Sheet Metal Cornice Company.
who made the contract with Pickford
TO construct the concrete floor slabs in
the building
Grand Jury's Comment.
Regarding the Indictment returned by
the grand jury, the following recon-
mendations were made:
The grand jury deems it advisable to
invite attention 10 the following
opinions and recommendations. based
upon the evidence presented IN the case
or a fatal accident at the apartment
house at Twentieth and = streets north
west, in this city, in the hope that such
occurrences may be avoided IN the
future
i That the office of the Inspector
Of Buildings Is now inadequately equip
ped for the important duties required
IN mat the number Of employees (es-
pecially field inspectors Is TOO small
10 permit thorough Inspection Of the
"a "a ss "A number OF buildings being erect
CO. ana the salaries paid 10 both field
and Office employees are entirely made
quaJe 10 command the necessary tech
meal and practical ability
Pick Men Carefully.
''2. That as this office Of Building IN
spector is OF vital Importance to the
interests Of the public, the greatest dis
cretion should be exercised In the Sc
lection Of its employees
3 That some method should be
adopted TO insure the designing and
execution of building work. especially
the structural parts. by none but those
fully competent.
I. That prosecutions should follow
serious violations Of the building regu-
latiOns whenever and wherev lisc0y-
cred, whether accidents have resulted
or not, the jury believing that with
competent inspection such violations
would be detected.
''5. That some requirement for proper
superintendence at the expense of the
owner should be adopted in the case Of
important structures"
Charges Against Reavis.
In n ind
Reavis was uDlawruIIy negloctful in the
arrangement for and the erection of the
building, and instances are cited where
in he is alleged to have been negligent
IN the manner OF his construction.
Among the instances cited are the fol-
lowing:
That he unlawfully and feloniously
neglected to use cinders Of good quail
~ and free from ashes and unburnt coal
In the construction of concrete slabs.
but used inferior cinders; and again
that he feloniously and unlawfuIIy neg
lected 20 re-enforCe the slabs as called
for. but placed them at irregular and
| improper distances apart" TechniacI in
F! stances are enumerated wherein Reavis
is said to have been negligent IN the
placing Of the concrete labs as pro-
Vided for I'm the plans in the corner
I pel-4El Dll the AlESl ana LllEu uOOTS. DIV
I the omission Of certain necessary slots
and anchor straps as called for In the
| specifications.
FalSewOrk Said To Be Weak.
Further it is recited. he failed to con-
| struct the necessary falsework Of suffi-
/ cient strength before emplacing the wet
! concrete which was 10 form the corner
/ slab on the fourth floor Of the build
| ing; that he failed TO properly secure
/ the falsewOrk so that il would support
/ the wet concrete and the weight Of the
wOrkmen engaged thereon, together
with Their implements and material Is,
but recklessly used insufficient shor-
| ing To support the falsswOrk.
! That he removed from the corner slabs
/ OF the first, second, and third floors Of
| the building the falsework heretofore
placed tc support the same. before any
Of the slabs had obtained sufficient
! strength to support the whole or any
part of the slab above Il.
/ That as a result of the above negli-
! gence the slabs fell down and by reason
! OF this falling the said Thomas II.
/ PickfOrd ana the said Albert II. Reavis.
/ lid unlawfully and feloniOusly commit
/ an assault upon Lemuel King and
/ Richard West, and that as a result of
the mortal wounds so inflicted their
| death resulted.