New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-09
TWO SUSPENDED
BY STATE BOARD
IN FIRE INQUIRY
Explanation Sought OF
Nine Months Failure to
Safeguard Lives.
CROPSEY SEEKING
"MEN HIGHER UP"
He Will Examine All Witnesses
To-day at Inquest Into Twelve
Deaths in Blaze.

DeathS In Blaze.
Why IL took nine months to accom-
plish next to nothing toward safe
guarding lives in the williamsburg
factory, after dangers were officially
known and condemned, was the chief
object of investigation yesterday.
Very little progress toward fixing
any real responsibility was made
George Rosquist, the district inspector
who carried the violation around in his
pocket from February % to August 20
was suspended by the State Industrial
Commission. So also was Charles 3
Ash, acting supervising inspector In
the same breath the commission
praised Rosquist as reliable and cf-
fcent employe.
Rosqust, himself, gave picture o.
his supposed duties. involving the in
spection Of over 400 buildings, which
made his labors appear hopeless and
put any prompt or efficient enforcement;
OF orders out of the question.
District Attorney Cropsey uttered {
few words to the general effect tna'
he was not going to stand by and sec
any subordinate made a scapegoat.
An inspection that did not, and could
not in the nature of things, inspect
was the net result Of the days inves-
tigation of existing officials and Laws.
The suspension of the two men came
last night after they and others in the
department had been questioned before
the five commissioners in an inquisl-
tion that lasted from p. m. to 3 p. m.
Il was the aftermath of busy day on
the part of the commissioners, who
had been called 70 Brooklyn to look
over the ruins of the Diamond plant
and TO confer with District Attorney
Cropsey.
Cropsey Seeks "Men Higher Up"
Mr.. Cropsey had issued subpoena
for Commissioner Lynch on Sunday
and the District Attorney declared yes
terday that he would trace the negli-
gence to It's source and wou!G fix re
sponsiblity where II belonged.
Still another feature of the investi'
ration by the District Attorney was the
arrest of Alfred Raft. twenty-thret
years old, a nephew of Mrs. Diamond.
Raft is known as "Sheenie Alex" He
was arrested near his home, 564 Metro
politan Avenue, yesterday afternoon by
Detective Reiss. of the 7th Branch Bu'
reau.
After considerable questioning BY
officials, he admitted that he was Al
the factory twice Saturday morning
the day of the fire, and that he talked
with both Mr.. and Mrs. Diamond.
From Mr.. Harpensteiner. who
keeps a bakery shop at 433 Metro
politan Avenue. and who knows Raft
well. Assistant District Attorney Gold
stein learned that Raft was seen run
ming down Metropolitan Avenue few
minutes after the fire was discovered
When taken 10 Mrs. Harpensteiner's
bakery snop yesterday in Fire De
partment automobile and confronted
bv the woman who had reported his
conversation 10 the authorities, Rafl
tried to deny that he had met her th5
day of the fire.
Mrs. Harpensteiner. however, was
positive that Raft had said every wor6
She attributed to him, and she called
him "a dirty liar" when he tried to re-
flute her story.
Raft has been employed as a general
utility man by the Diamonds. The po-
lice OF Williamsburg have been looking
for him since election night, when, in
Mrs. Diamonds automobile, he rar
down and seriously injured Agnes
Nolan, seventeen years old, at Broad
way and Hughes Street. He abandoned
the automobile few blocks from the
scene of the accident and fed, the po-
lice say, 20 Boston. He returned 10
William burg Friday night.
Although Raft is held on charge OF
assault in connection with the automo-
bile accident. Fire Marshal Brophy ex-
poets TO question him to-day on FUR
ther details about the fire.
Mr.. Cropsey announced yesterday
that he would attend the inquest to-
day before Coroner Wagner and would
examine all witnesses.
At the close OF the session OF the
State Industrial Commission last night
Commissioner Lynch issued the follow
il .. statement:
aTbe members OF the State Indus
trial Commission called upon District
Attorney Cropsey al his Office this
morning and placed before him the
records relative 10 inspections upon
The factory. Of the Diamond Candy
Comnanv. '2s5 and 2S7 North Sixth
Continued ON page 3. column