The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-24
Will Begin This Morning at 9:30 O'Clock Before the
 Commission;
HEARINGS WILL BE
 OPEN TO PUBLIC
Everything Will Be eProbed-Matthews Probably Will Be Central Figure at Investigation-Wor on
 Ash Jewelry Store

Public interest in the disaster of Wednesday when the old Steele-Smth wall collapsed killing eight peo- pie. bids fair to be equaled by public in- terest in the probe of the Second avenue atastrophe to be started this morning at 9:30 o'clock by the board of city com7 missioners in an attempt to fix the re- sponsibility. if any can be established.
 Members of the police department were busy yesterday summoning witnesses. and the commissioners ask that all persons having any information that is authentic who are in any way interested and reaching a solution come to the city hall and make themselves known.
 'The investigation will be public and without limit" state the commissioners. we will probe everything, every circum- stance that presents itself and on which we can get scrap of evidence
 Public sentiment is deeply aroused. Criticism of the city commission and other officials is broadcast and is spreading. Whether or not this will be quelled by the investigation remains to be seen.
 Controversy About Lightning
 Indications now are that the lightning phase of the case will receive some em- phass during the investigation. There has developed already many controverting statements in this regard, and the com missioners have shown considerable in- terest along this line.
 The great majority of public opinion, hnx iol,+ The great weight of evidence so far avail able is that the wall fell through pres sure of the wind and a wind that was not abnormal-being of about a 35-mile speed.
 Building Inspector w. 0. Matthews. wlfr was one of the experts who had passed on the old wall, and reported an opinion to the effect that the wall was safe, prob- ably will be the central figure of the investigation MT. Matthews carrdidly ad- mits that he considered the wall safe. He denies, however, his responsibility for it's fall through either the agency of wind or lightning.
 MT. Matthews, Contractor Charles Allen and Architect Harry Wheeock. the latter two having been employed to rage the remaining walls of the wrecked buildings. spent yesterday in working on the Ash jewelry store, which was said to be dis covered in a very dangerous condition.
 It had been the intention to begin work yesterday on the rear and front walls of the old Steele-Smith structure and tear them down, but when the Ash store was found to be in danger Of a collapse at any moment. the plans was changed. The Ash store is next door to the Atlantic and Pacific Tea store, which was one of the two wrecked.
 Business Men Ask Action
 A committee of First avenue business men composed of Herman Saks, Julius FL finger J. Friedman and others, visited the city commission yesterday afternoon and asked that the rear walls of the Steele Smith building be demolished at once as it was dangerous to their places of busi- ness and was doing them much injury on this account After consultation with Mir. Matthews, Street Commissioner Gaf- ford and Fire Chief Middleton the com missioners assured the delegation that the walls would be demolished just as speedily as possible. MT. Gafford and MT. Matthews both admitted that a good wind might blow over more walls.
 The entire Steele Smith structure is to be demolished, it is said as speedily as possible.
 John S.. Leedy of the Leedy Insurance company stated yesterday that the state ment issued by his company on the disas- ter and printed in yesterday mornings Age-Herald was not issued in the capacity of representatives of A. W. B. Johnson, of the Steele-Smith Dry Goods company.