Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-04
[IlFHALL
l(llVEREuNSAFE
lft's Report Shows Con-
Hons Dangerous to Sur
rounding Property
GRkCKS SHOW SATURDAY

rfequent denials by former administra-
Ucn4 that the City Hall tower contains
& (4n<<1 and Is a danger to surrounding
r1Dbfty as well as to the public have been
u 9kue4q tn an investigation conducted by an
$ EG1Ides cracks and missing bolts it has
q I@@u discovered that many of the remaining
V0ite are not bronze. As a result, the bolts
which were supposed to be bronze have
tusted on.
For weeks n squad of workmen under the
4 direction of H. +. Atkinson, % North Juni-
per street, one of the best.known riggers
4 IN the country and a famous steepeJack
have been at work repairing the damaged
spots of the tower.
Some of the cracks on the famous tower
were Visible last Saturday to city officials
who were up there when salute was
fired from a cannon in honor of the selective
drafted men who participated in the
parade.
Mr. Atkinson. who has been selected to
superintend the repairing, is working under
orders. of the Department of Public Works
Though he refused to discuss the condition
Of the tower. which was constructed more
than n decade ago when s24.0O0.OOO was
appropriated for the City Hall, 1t was
learned today from an authoritative sourc.
that he has pronounced the tower as beint
sunsafe."
The Investigation of the tower confirms
In every detail the report submitted t.
Director Datesman last June by con!
mittee of three relating to the condition OF
the tower.
The committee Of three which inspectea
the tower last June composed of Jos
eph A. Roletter acting city architect; Jona.
than Jones, assistant engineer bridge
oiVsion' ana James W. Ph'lllps assistant
ensineer OF the grade-crossing dlvision'
Ihis report, which was submitted 70
Lnee.o, pa.esnan' leu 10 tne ihmeuia'e
4nplOyinR a Atkinson af
warn men were put 10 work Oh ;Ae tower
10 rcpiace tne broken ana missing bolts.
"hle 'he t"eht!-ohe Snots were oelnS
nreo from tue cannon wh'cn was placed IL
the tower news of the cracks in the tower
spreau among many city officials In tn.
mayor reception room. This news became
generally known after the cracks had been
cen py certain persons
me rear contents OF the report submitted
Director baleSHan ny Messrs Roietter
Jones anu rhiilipS mas never been made
puonc. Ihls report Is now in the archives
ot tne department or Public Works. But
was iearheu To-Day that the report was
connrmed IN every detail by Mr.. Atkinson.
must De excused from discussing the
VreseHt CONDITION or the tower, said Mr..
Hlkihson today we are at work and work.
ing marc,
Touching upon the stone masonry from
the ninth-hoor level to the clock tower, the
..Porv reserved ny director Datesman reads
40 loho"s'
a, mat part Is Dadly IN ne"3 OF repointing
.nere Is no indication OF disintegration of
sne s'oneworh' Ihe condition of the metal
worh as Iound IN the detailed report Of
,,enis II. quincy. under date of April 26.
9Io' no" on hle In your Office, has not
nnproVed. put is daily growing worse. and
we tneretore suggest that to properly rem
ouy 'ne uelects IL rs essential. in order TO
pro,ect .ne surrounding property and the
p, puunc at large against injury from falling