The Washington herald., 1908-06-13

Case Is Settled-Messrs. Morrow and
MacfarIand Issue Statements.
At a special meeting Of the Commis-
sioners yesterday morning, Snowden Ash
ford. inspector OF buildings. was sus-
pended from HIS Office, pending the ac-
ton OF the grand jury, which will in
vestlgate the collapse Of the Pickford
apartments. where two men were killed,
and for which Ashford together with
three others, has been indicted, charged
with criminal responsibility
Engineer Commissioner Morrow, who is
In direct charge of the building depart
ment, made the motion for suspension.
Superintendent of Construction Thomas
Francis was temporarily appointed to the
position.
In making the motion, the Commis-
siOneT said:
Motion for Suspension.
"A coroners jury having held Snowden
Ashford, inspector OF buildings for the
District Of Columbia, under a recog-
nizance 10 appear before the grand jury
! in connection with the collapse OF the
apartment house under construction at
Twentieth and streets northwest,
move that, pending the action Of the
| grand jury In the matter. Mr.. Ashford
/ be temporarily suspended as inspector OF
buildings Of the District Of Columbia.
I further move that during the suspen-
/ sion Of Mr.. Ashford, Thomas Francis.
superintendent Of construction. be desig-
mated 20 perform the duties OF inspector
! OF buildings OF the District
/ The other Commissioners are support
ing Maj. Morrow in his determination to
have thorough inquiry into the methods
/ in vogue in the building inspectors office.
Commissioner Macfarand said concern
/ ing the matter:
The Commissioners VIII thoroughly in
vestigate the methods OF the building
inspe ector's service in the light Of the
/ Information brought out In the inquest,
and with a view 10 making such improve
ments as are possible under the present
powers Of the Commissioners, and OF
recommendations TO Congress where
| necessary for additional legislation and
appropriation.
l. Need More Inspectors.
| More inspectors at better salaries and
/ provision that none but practical build
ers and architects shall have building
! permits, are among the things that Con-
! gress ought 20 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 commission Of experts
appointed by the Commissioners. whose
report has been delayed by various diff
| cul,ies and the magnitude Of the task.
/ II ought 10 be stated that the concrete
| constructions have been and are being
| supervised according 60 standards in the
\ building Inspectors Office in all cases
pending the adoption Of the elaborate
/ regulation that IS being prepared by the
| experts.
The Commissioners aided the coroner
I IN every possible way 10 bring out all the
l facts. SO that they might have infOrma-
/ tion for action as 10 the bdilding-inspec-
/ ton service and as 20 the regulations.
! The Coroner's inquest was thoroughly
/ conducted. but IN advance Of action by
| the grand jury, / prefer not 10 comment
/ on the verdict
] The engineer department IS making a
| special inspection OF all buildings now
/ under construction 10 see whether they
are IN unsafe condition IN any degree in
/ the light Of the developments IN this case.
/ II goes without saying that the Commis-
! sloners win DO everything in their power
/ {. safeguard the interests OF the peo-
/ pile"
Commissioner West also is in favor OF
sitting the affair. He said yesterday
/ that the action Of the Commissioners in
/ suspending Mr.. Ashford expressed bis
/ position clearly.
} Statement by Mr.. West.
"Oae Of the lessons learned" he con-
/ tinued from listening TO the testimony
at the inquest is that this particular
/ apartment house was being constructed
without adequate supervision. The evil
dence showed that the architect simply
made his plans and sold them TO the
! owner. and that the latter having no
/ practical experience as a builder, under
| took 10 carry the work on with the as
| sistance OF his subcontractOrs. The build
/ ing Office has never undertaken and could
not undertake 10 act as superintendent
| OF construction for all the buildings
! erected in the District OF Columbia, but
| there IS one method by which the con-
! dit!On Of affairs shown 10 exist at this
/ apartment house can be remedied, and
4 this method I shall recommend for the
/ consideration OF the Commissioners.
! 1t seems TO me that where any apart
/ ment house or other large building is
! being constructed. the owner should be
| required 10 make a deposit with the
/ Commissioners. which would cover the
/ cost Of having an inspector on duty al
the building during all the working hours
/ A precedent for this was established
when. in the work incident TO the elm
! inatiOn Of grade crossings. the railroad
/ companies paid the expenses Of the in
! spectors appointed by the District. whose
/ duty it was 10 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 firnness of character.
vested with authority to enforce upon
contractors every safeguard necessary
for the preservation Of human life"
Ashford Was Surprised.
Early yesterday morning Mr.. Ashford
was at his office. and as soon as he was
officially informed OF the action of the
/ Commissioners, he turned the Office over
to Supt Francis. He said he had ex-
pected some such action in the circum-
stances, but he has full confidence in his
ability to clear himself,
"As is natural 20 suppose" he con-
cluded II was greatly surprised when
the jury returned its verdict, including
me in the list Of those held responsible
The jury very naturally wished 10 get
every one who might possibly be con-
cerned.
Il am certain, however, OF ore thing
1 can state most positively that every
] fbfpo l., m. damn ~trl1pnt rolatfuo 10 fhe