Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-07-25
FATAL ACCIDENT AT ARMORY
SUBJECTOF INVESTIGATION

"The truss, when set in place, is
topheavy and sways slightly in the
wind. As it swayed, its weight be-
gan to buckle the pillars. Just as j
yelled back to Gus to get out. the
weight of the topheayy truss proved
too much, the pillars yielded a little
and down came the truss, tearing
away from the riyeted plates.
Gus fell across an iron grit, in
juring himself terribly. i was close
by and / ran to him and put my arms
around him. He never spoke He
gave two or three deep gasps and his
heart beat for little while, but he
died in few minutes.
He had worked for many years
with structural steel and never had a
bad accident He was very careful
man and knew the business thorough
ly. want to say that he protested
strongly against the character Of the
work, but like a lot of Us, when they
made no change In the light support
ing steel he went ahead and took
chances"
In his statement to the Star Bulle-
tin Turner says that he came here
thirteen months ago for Anderson &
Woods to work on the Hilo Railway
bridges. Anderson & Woods, he said,
did successful work for the railroad
and came here to take the sub-con-
tract for the armory roofing. They
expected to finish it in about four
weeks,
Col. Jones, Statement.
Col. J. w. Jones, Acknowledgements OF
the national guard, when asked by the
Star-B Bulletin If any trouble with ar
mory construction had been brought
tc his attention, said:
Last week the buckling OF the H.
columns was called to my attention,
the huckling being caused by the
weight of the first truss erected, and
| understood there was discussion 90
ing on between the architect and con.
tractor with reference to overcoming
this tbuckling. that the contractor
claimed that the H-columns were mol
heavy enough. and that all steel work
should be self-supporting, SO that 4
could be erected irrespective of ans
ether portion of the building, and thai
the balance Of the building could be
erected thereafter. This matter Ire
ported to Governor Frear, understand
ing that there was some discussion be
tween the architects and the con
tractor that special plans, for erection
had been presented by the architect.
and that erection would go ahead II
accordance Herewith. The specia
L
erection of the steel work along line.
which would present the greatest ele
nients of safety in construction. No
being an engineer / do not wish t,
discuss the merits or dement's of tn,
proposition from technical stand
/ point, ~ 3a
Caldwell Had No Profests.
] When John W. Caldwell, snperin
ltendent of public works, was ques
toned this morning as to- whether o.
not the department had inspectors on
the armory work, whether the worl
was stopped last week, or this week
and If complaints had been made t
him as to danger of the job or defec
lin the plans, he made the following
statement:
THE department has had no inspeS
tors on the work because it is no
necessary We look to Ripley
Davis, the architects, and the cor
tractors to complete the armory an
turn it over to us as per the plan
and specifications. The entire ma
ter of putting up the building Is 4
the architects hands, and II Their
I ,.yore auv ;nopooforc ~ oil fhor, x.,x,x
acting for the architects and not thi
!, department.
No complaints have ever bee
! made TO me about supposed DANCE
! lof the job, or defect In the planl
From what / know of the accideI
yesterday, it occurred through n
,, fault Of the contractors. In the ere
ton of a structure such as the armor
there are always dangers to life an
limb which cannot be done away wit
Accidents will happen, no matter no
, thoroughly guarded against. Co
tractors realize this and take 1t I'M
: consideration when bidding for tn
work. The accident yesterday, so f;
as know, was merely part of tt
price Of the building. ! have worke
on jobs where three and four live
q have been lost month, and the
& were not due TO any negligence of IL
3 contractor or defect in the plans.
Ell Start No investigation.
az Il have not started an investigate
concerning the accident, nor do /
5 tend to. have not been to the bull
Q ing since that time, and probably vi
q not be there for some days. Wht
do go to the armory it is not to OF
: cially inspect the work, but mere
to see how it is getting along.
. think che Honolulu Planning Mill b
done more than it's part, as co
tractor, in guarding against accident
Received No Complaints.
NO complaints, either oral or VIZ
X ten, have ever been made to me !
y garding the dangers of the buildin
t and from what / know any such CO
n plants would be unjustified.
e The contract for the job was
L. Z s,,,r l<avSfrf ION