Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-11

were to furnish and set all the iron franz
ing; Albert s. Reavis all the concrete fire.
prcofng and John Balm all the brick
walls, etc. The only workman who was
not under contract was the foreman car
penter, who was employed directly by
Mr. Pickford to set the window and door
frames.
There were times that neither yourself
nor your architect were on the building.
and in which inferior materia ais and con-
struction could be put in by the con-
tractors without your knowledge?' Mr..
Turner asked
Il suppose that could occur, Mr.. Pick
ford answered.
Resuming the examination. Coroner
hewitt asked the witness If 1t was not
true that the strength of the walls had
been sacrificed for the sake of light.
1T was true we desired as much light
as possible. but the iron. concrete. and
brick contractors. as we'll as the architect
assured me the supports were sufficient"
Other ques tions drew from the owner
the statements that he did not know of a
previous accident. except the displacement
of supports under one room or bay
which permitted a small quantity of CO.
ment to fall. but no damage resulted.
DO you know of any men refusing to
work on the building because OF danger
they believed existed?'
NO. / do know several men more than
we could use sought work.
In going about this building YOU en-
ployed a competent architect. who drew
up the plans and submitted them to the
District building department. and they
were roved?"~Attorney Hoover. counsel
Yes. ''' inquire
And there was no idea on your part to
cheaper the construction in any way"
NO. The contractors must admit | in
strucied them to do their best work and
use the best materials. l intended it as
a permanent investment and to make my
own home there"
Attention Called to Lintels.
Several further questions drew from Mr..
Pickford the admission that Albert Rea-
Wis, the concrete contractor. had called
his attention to the "Iintels.'' which rest
ed on the now fallen pier making the sug-
gestion that the Iintels be bolted fast. The
result was that Mr.. Reavis was called
upon to stand from his seat in the au-
dience.
He stated his object in making the
suggestion was that he feared the lin
tells "vvOuld not stand the thruAt Of the
concrete and would turn over" Mr..
PickfOrd and Mr.. Reavis agreed that the
matter was referred to the iron con-
tractor, and he said the boiling Of the
lintels was not required by the specin-
cations and was not necessary.
Reavis was satisfied at this transfer of
matter further. 1t was developed the lack
of boiling was in no way responsible for
the accident.
A great variance in the evidence was de-
veloped from the testimony of Albert H
Beers. the architect. Mr. Pickford had
stated that Mr.. Beers had charge of all
practical details. The architect declared
he had been In the building not more than
supervisor of the building. and had not
been to the building at all for three weeks
prior to the accident.
You got the permit for the added. or
sixth. story for the building?' the cor
oner inquired.
Yes Beers answered.
Did you have any difficulty in getting
''No. not particularly. Our walls were
heavy enough On the Goth street and On
weight. but ON the alley side and On the
court side they were not. but Building
Inspector Ashford agreed that we might
use iron columns ON thOsc two Sides"
Were those columns in place YETI
NO. The building had not reached
the point where they were required
Architect Beers declared positively that
his responsibility ceased when his plans
were approved by the District building
department. accepted by the owner and
the permit was issued. The witness ex-
pressed the opinion that the corner pier.
which bulged and let the floors fall. was
amply strong to support the weight i'm
posed upon it: that 1t was tied in each
ten feet by iron beams. and he called at
tention to the fact that the plans were
passed by the building department.
Andrew Gatewood, coored. enc Of the
laborers employed by Mr.. Reavis. tes,i-
fed he was working on the third floor
when the accident happened. and the first
thing he saw was the fourth floor fall
ing through. carrying with it the third
and other floors below.
Andrew Jackson. another colored Ia
borer. was also on the third floor. work
ing with Gatewood and he. too. said
the fourth floor fell first. Both Jackson
and Gatexood said they never heard
other laborers express doubts of the
safety of the building, and neither of
them was afraid to work on the structure
A recess was taken at l o'clock until
2:3O o'clock, the jury in the meantime
being taken in carriages to the apart
ment house at 10th and p streets to view
the scene of the accident.
The inquest was resumed at the latter
hour, and 1t was deemed very likely 1t
will not be concluded today.
WITNESC At THE TN0nEST