The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-06-14
BELIEVES FAC TORY
FLOORS WERE
OVERLOADED
Most Probable Cause of Accident a&
Peninsular Stove Plant, Says
Coroner Burgess, Who Is Con-
Quoting Investigation.
Funeral of w. c. Hollar, Whose
Body Was Found in Debris, Will
Take Place Wednesday.

The real cause OF the accident IN
day. when one man was killed and
two others seriously injured, may
never be known. Coroner Burgess,
after a thorough inspection OF the
premises. Monday morning. confessed
that he was wholly In the dark on this
point. The theory that one or more
of the floors was overloaded appeals
TO him as being the most plausible.
but this is a matter OF expert knowl-
edge. which may or may not be de-
termined at the inquest In the case
OF William c. Hollar, the dead trans
portation superintendent, which will
probably be held next week.
Coroner Burgess declares, however.
that he will make every effort to de-
termine the cause. II II was overload
ing. the fact will be determined IL
that is possible. 1t can be figured our,
theoretically at least, how much
weight the joists were capable of sup
porting. This done, the coroner will
try to find out from employees and offir
Gals of the company just what weight
was being supported.
Dul even tuOuk0 IL bHOuiu QeVeIOO
that the floors were carrying a great
er load than expected Of them, II
would be a difficult matter to Ak the
blame. The company considered the
building safe. although a report has
reached the coroner's ears to the ef-
feet that a portion OF ono OF the floors
came near collapsing four years. ago.
j. NJ. Dwyer. acting manager OF the
In 10 a.. o.
James Dwyer, who is In Europe, says,
however. that II such thing occurred
ne never knew anything about II.
Warehouses Never Inspected
Coroner Burgess says there is no
record in the Office OF the building
commission of the Peninsular ware
house ever having been inspected
This Is another feature OF the case
that will be looked into at the inquest.
IF that Is true Of the Peninsular
plants how many more factory, huitdF
ings In Detroit are in the same cato.
gory?" asks the coroner.
The disaster, which might have cost
many lives had it occurred on any
other day, may prove an eye-opener to
the community. and steps undoubted-
ly will be taken TO see to what extent
inspection OF such structures has been
neglected. II It has been neglected.
The peculiar feature OF the collapse
is that no rotten timbers have been
found in the wreckage. Coroner Bur-
CESS searched the debris carefully for
such evidences, but without result.
He found the joists all in good condi-
ton. Most OF them are a good quail
ity OF white pine, better than Is used
in construction work nowadays as
rule.
Building Commissioners az Scene.
At the request OF the coroner. menu
bers OF the building commission and
their inspectors, visited the scene OF
the disaster during the afternoon 10
look over the ground and incidentally
TO give the entire building thorough
inspection. The coroner has not de-
cided whether to swear the building
mmissioners as experts or secure
the services OF others He will consult
the county auditors and the prosecut-
ing attorney on this phase OF the mat
ter
The company is not prepared. as
vet. 10 give any definite estimate or
the damage done. The plant Is not In
operation today For the present the
company is giving its attention TO
clearing away the debris. Stoves ana
broken timbers are piled up In open
space where the break occurred FROM
the first floor to a point midway De-
tween the second and third floors.
II has not been determined. as yet.
lust what floor gave away first. Some
of the fremen who worked on the dis
aster believe that II was the thru
~u p..e gaxeuN