The Washington herald., 1908-06-12

structed right
In explaining the cause OF the fall, he
said he saw a beam give way after the
accident.
Whitted was then recalled 10 the stand
and further questioned regarding the
brick work In the pier, and bolts in the
beams
Inspector Poynton testified that the
corner pier. after the fall. Seemed to be
slightly wrenched, and the walls TO have
bulged greatest at the third floor. i
didn't see any beams or lintels twisted"
he said.
The coroner said at this point that
Attorneys Hoover and Warren were seek
ing 20 prove that the construction was
perfect. and that the snoring under the
concrete was responsible. This was ad
mitted by the attorneys in question.
Isiah Cox, a precinct detective, next
testified
Ashford on the stand.
Snowden Ashford. the building inspect
or, said he had been telegraphed for 10
appear as a witness Then he told the
history Of the building. as he knew II. In
general way.
Il think this building is out of the
architects line of work" he said. i
prefer not to rate him." Continuing, he
said he had no power TO refuse a permit
TO Pickford. who was not builder.
When asked what he knew OF per-
NIT TO change the height Of the build
ing. the witness said he agreed with Mr..
PickfOrd 10 have the lower wall re-en-
forced
"Is it unusual for concrete bags to
fall?' said the coroner.
NO"
Suppose they were not ramming con
crete at the time OF the fall?''
TT might have been rammed too tight
on the floor below, and the ramming
above would cause the beams 10 lose their
equilibrium"
Would the weight OF concrete buckle
wall?"
NO. unless the wall was very poor"
did you give permission 20 put pilas-
ters IN when the sixth floor was author
ized?'
Only order Ashford Gave.
Il did not give any orders except TO
make the building fireproof." said Mr..
Ashford.
Poynton was then asked to explain the
statement made the day before in refer
ence to putting In pllasters by Ashford's
permission.
He said: MY understanding was that a
sX-story building was authorized by Mr..
Ashford in lieu Of putting in pilasters"
Mr.. Ashford did not recollect the incl
dent and said he did not give permission.
since the six-story plans had not been
completed.
Mr.. Poynton said Beers wanted him 20
allow the building to go to the sixth floor
without additional tnickening Of the
walls. II refused him and sent him 10
Mr.. Ashford. In whose office 1 believe.
the permission 10 put in pilasters was
given he added.
when the coroner asked Blake Clark
who gave Mr.. Beers the permission TO
place pllasters IN the walls. Clark said.
Beers told me had received permission
from Inspector Of Buildings Ashford"
is that correct Mr.. ASHFORD said
the coroner.
and never gave permission" replied Ash
ford
c. w. Welser. a carpenter, couldn't say
what caused the accident.
4 never heard said the building was
unsafe" ne said
In answer 20 Attorney Hoover he said
Mr.. Beers. the architect. had visited the
I building once or twice a week This
contradicted NJ. Beers testimony at the
morning session.
Mr. Blake. replying 10 a question By
| Attorney Warren, said he had the bolts
/ removed from the beams. and had also
removed unsafe beams since the accl-
/ dent.
Increased Foundation Width.
Thomas L. Linney testified that Mr..
/ Pickford had increased the width of the
foundation 10 make il safe.
| DR.. Glazebrook then closed the inquest
/ by telling Of the autopsy performed upon
the negro. Richard West.
At o'clock the coroner adjourned the
I Inquest. with the instructions that the
| jury return within an hour and deliber-
ate upon the verdict
Early Proceedings.
At the morning session Thomas II
Pickford, owner and builder Of the
wrecked building. testified that there was
no practical builder in charge OF the
! construction, but said he was personally
in touch daily with the work, and that
the architect was called whenever ques-
tioTs Of a technical nature arose.
Architect Beers. a few moments later.
den,ed that he had ever been called in
/ conference or had exercised any supervi-
sion over the work
Pickford. in his testimony, gave a his
tory of the work on the building, telling
Of the plan to build the house six stories.
instead Of five stories. as originally plan
ned. which was approved by Building In
spector Ashford.
He said he held the architect responsible
for the safety Of the building, as we'll as
the Inspector of buildings.
In reply to a question of Coroner
hewitt. Mr. Pickford said:
THE building was commenced April 10,
and was expected 10 be finished by OctO-
ber."
This time he considered ample, without
having to rush the work.
Beams Not BOIted Fnst.
Further questioning drew from Mr..
Pickford that his attention had been
called TO several beams that were not
bol;ed fast. Before leaving the stand the
witness intimated that there was n sort
Of general belief that everybody would
do his work right, thus dispensing with
the use Of a supervising foreman
Albert II. Beers, the architect who de-
| signed the house was then called, and