Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-03
PROBE DEATHbY GAS
AIIeqed That Officials Fail to
Inspect Apparatus.
CHARGE FILED WITH TAFT
Accident Which Was Fatal to Miss
Shawhan Basis of Complaint.
DEMAND FOR INVESTIGATION
Second Tragedy in the District From
the Same Cause-Coro-
ner to Act.

Following the death OF Miss Margaret
Shawhan, 1910 Massachusetts avenue. yes
terday, who died from carbon monoxide
poison generated by leaky gas hot
water heater. Representatives Austin and
Campbell. members of the House District
committee lodged with President Taft
today a complaint against the failure of
the District Commissioners to inspect just
such apparatus. which apparatus, it is
declared, has caused several deaths in
the same manner in recent years.
This is the second time President of
the United States has been asked to in
terest himself in the Districts regula-
tons against poisoning Of this sort.
President Roosevelt co-operated with
other officials following similar COM
plant in November. 1903. and sent spe-
cial message to Congress following the
death by monoxide gas Of Mrs. Hebe
Cults Bremerman, Mrs. Helen Katherine
Bremerman and Cults Bremerman, the
latter and infant. Representative Austin
said today he believed Miss Shawhan's
death to have been caused by official neg
ligence.
Commissioner Rudolph today announced
his intention Of Immediately laying the
matter before the entire board of Com
missioners with view to asking Con-
gress to enact legislation that will remedy
the situation.
Miss Shawhan's body was found in
bath tub by her father, Joseph Shawhan,
about 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Shawhan is secretary to Robert
Williams, deputy commissioner of inter-
nal revenue.
Efforts at Restoration Futile.
DR.. A. l.. Hunt responded to a call
and found Mr.. Shawhan and DR.. H. E.
Perlie a dental surgeon, trying to save
the young woman's life. DR.. Darcy
Magee later was called, and for more
than one hour futile efforts to restore
respiration were made.
Miss Shawhan was a student at
Mount De Sales College. Baltimore, and
had come here to spend the holiday
season with her parents. Yesterday
afternoon she made a call and returned
home shortly before o'clock. Her
parents dined in the restaurant at the
Cumberland. near their home. and
about o'clock they became uneasy
about the failure Of their daughter to
appear for dinner.
Leaving the dining room, the parents
their daughter had been talking over
the telephone about 8 o'clock. She was
to the bathroom. knock on the door
brought no response. and when the
door was forced open the body was seen
in the tub, which was partly filled with
water
Miss Shawhan's head was above the
surface OF the water. There was a
light in the bathroom. and the gas
heater also was burning. It is ex-
planned that carbon mOnoxide gas
had been generated by the heater
Coroner hewitt made an investigation
and officially announced that carbon
monOXide gas had caused death
He will probably summon a jury to
make further Investigations into the
young wOmans death.
Danger Pointed Out.
Investigations today by inspectors Of
the plumbing department of the Dis
trict revealed letter received July
81, 1909 from Robert Hinckley, an
artist, owner Of the house at 1910 Mas
sachusetts avenue, asking about the
installation in the house of the heater
by which the young girl came to her
death.
Mr. Hinckley was clearly instructed
by the inspector. it is said, that the
patent heating appartus was dangerous;
that many deaths had resulted from it );
and warned of the possible cOnse
quences If such an apparatus were
was no regulation prohibiting Mr.. Hinck-
ley from installing the appliance, but
since then a regulation has been adopt
ell prohibiting the use of any gas ap-
pliance which may generate carbon
monoxide.
Mr.. Hinckley may be asked to appear
before the coroners jury. If it Is called.
Letter to the Inspector.
His letter to the inspector Of plumbing
follows, and will explain itself: '"The
late John Poor, treasurer Of the gas
company, knowing that I had heart
trouble, had installed for me. about
seven years ago, All instantaneous gas
heater, which since then has permitted
me to have instant relief during the
might from heart failure.
'''This machine 1 have now is old and
should be replaced or repaired. Mr..
Muddiman's agent informs me that he
must have permit to do this"
Mr. OBren, inspector for the depart
ment went to the house today and said
the tank by which the girl came to her
death is the kind against which the de-
partment warned Mr.. HinckIey.
Funeral services for Miss Shawfan will
he held tomorrow afternoon at o'clock
at the First Baptist Church, 18th and o
streets, and burial will be in either Lex
:ngton. KY. Miss shawhans former
home, or Washington.
| Effort to Minimize M0nOxide
and Make the Danger Less