Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-14
INQUIRY TO BE THOROUGH
Expect Important Improvements in
Methods of Office.
CHANGES IN THE PERSONNEL
Speculation as to Lines the Investi-
gators May Follow-Employes
Manifest Interest.

the District of Columbia since the col
| lapse at the apartment house. southwest
corner of Doth and P streets, last Tues
day. causing the death of two workmen, Is
taken to indicate that they propose to in
vestigate the building department in a
! thorough manner.
| They intend to secure enlightenment as
to the conduct of the employees Of that
branch of the local government and the
business methods followed.
| No stone will be left unturned in getting
at the facts is the positive manner in
which the Commissioners speak Of the
proposed inquiry. They publicly an
nounced that effort to shield any one who
may have been derelict or lax will not be
| tolerated.
| Each of the Commissioners is of the be-
| lief that the inquiry will bring about inn
portant changes in the business methods
of the office. At least three changes in
the personnel of the office are expected
| to follow. There has been friction
among the officials of the office. accord
| ing to Maj. Morrow, which, he says,
must be eliminated.
Cause for Speculation.
The announcement of the Commission
ers' intention to probe is the reason for
speculation particularly among employees
of the local government, as to the lines
| along which it will be conducted and the
probable outcome.
The date for beginning the inquiry. by
| the Commissioners, as explained. has not
| been fixed. 1t will follow soon after the
grand jury submits a report to the court
! in connection with the investigation by
that body of the disaster, with the view
/ of determining the criminal responsibility
| therefor, if any.
| Toa Mr. Ash fS To no q
subject of investigation by the grand
jury. the Commissioners deem it improper
to conduct an inquiry while the grand
| jury is acting. In preparation for the
| inquiry the Commissioners will confer at
an executive session tomorrow.
| The question being asked by those in
| terested in the developments is Upon
what lines is the inquiry to be con-
ducted?' The Commissioners intend to
| conduct it differently from any inveSti-
| cation or probe conducted by any board
Of Commissioners during the past seven
| years 1t will be patterned after in
quiry by naval board. The Commits
siorers will act as judges and inQuisitors,
and will be assisted by Capts. Kelly and
Markham, assistant engineer commission
ers; Corporation Counsel Thomas. Assist
ant United States Attorney Turner, En-
gneer of Bridges Douglas, an expert on
| steel and concrete construction, and Julian
Hargrove. inspector of asphalts and ce-
mentS for the District.
Will Invite Experts.
Experts in construction work and build
| ing material and consulting engineers
| will, it is said, be invited by the Com
missioners to testify to inspections made
| by them of buildings in the District and
to ask questions regarding the business
methods of the building department. 1t is
expected that by the aid of experts the
| Commissioners will determine regarding
| the knowledge possessed by the various
employees of the building Office with re-
| Spect to the work intrusted to their care.
Every employe in the department will be
called to testify, including the per
diem craftsmen and clerks and mes
| sengers. The inspectors of boilers and
elevators, who work in conjunction with
the building department, will also be in
| terrogated.
| Persons who have had dealings with the
building department will be invited to be
present. In this connection it is eX-
| pected that persons who have grievances
| against the department will take ad-
vantage of the opportunity to have such
| considered.
| While the Commissioners and their as
| sistants are busily engaged preparing for
| the inquiry, Assistant United States At
| torney Turner and Detectives Helan and
| Grant are arranging to present evidence
| to the grand jury. 1t is expected that the
| detectives named will also be of assistance
| tioning contractors and architects and
others learned in the science of building
construction regarding the causes of the
| apartment disaster
Views of Grievance Committee.
| The Building Trades grievance commit
tee of Washington has issued a statement
| in connection with the collapse of the
Pickford apartment house, in which it is
set forth that the men employed on the
building were non-union men, and the
! fact that Contractor Pickford is not what
! is known as a practical builder is en-
| phasized. The committee also declared
| that only capable men should be employ
ed in building construction and that the
! qualifications of men SO employed should
be established before they are employed.
| The committee is DESTROYS of a thorough
! investigation of the whole matter.