Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-07-02
COUNTY ATTORNEY NAGLESTAD
CALLS WITNESSES TO APPEAR
AT INQUIRY.
ATTORNEY DECLARES
CITY IS RESPONSIBLE
Liability Placed on City by Sioux City
Lawyer-CIaims Failure to Name
Building Inspector Fixes Responsible
ity on Munich pallty-Property Loss
Estimated at $105, 900.

| Sioux Slty, July Ss-ISNSls pSooAoAS
witness who can be summoned in con-
nection with the disaster at the Run
Drug Company Saturday will be called
before a coroner's jury in one of the
criminal court rooms at the court house
| this week by County Attorney Nagle-
stad. in an attempt to fix the blame
for the tragedy. The inquest probably
will be held either Wednesday or
Thursday morning.
II set at work at once Saturday
afternoon to investigate this disaster
and try to learn where the blame
should be placed" said Mr.. Naglestad
II have been working steadily ever
since. getting in touch with every wit
ness l could find who knew anything
about what had been done to the Ruff
| building, or what happened when the
crash came.
II have no opinion to express at this
time, of course. 1t is not my province
to fix the blame, but to take full evil
dence before the coroner and his jury
l will say, however. that the inyestiga-
ton will be just as thorough as it is
possible to make it, and that we will
act just as soon as we can get ready
for a complete review of the facts in
the case"
Claims City Is Liable.
81 have been informed by reliable
witnesses that the Ruff building started
to collapse before any sound of an ex-
plosion was heard" said Harry S. Sny-
der, attorney, when asked for an
opinion as to where liability for the
catastrophe should rest. IF such Is
fact, the question arises as to the la
bility of the city for permitting this
work to go on without. proper inspec-
ton and proper and efficient super
vision" he continued, land in this con-
nection I am informed that Mr.. E. j.
O'Connor, by reason of his lack of
qualifications, was not eligible to the
appointment of city building inspector
under the present requirements of the
building ordinance. For that reason
his appointment as such was not, and
could not be legally approved by the
council.
my information also is that. in or
der to secure to him &c. ]. O'Connor)
the emoluments of the Office. po-
SlllOH dS aSSlSIdUI 1llopCSioi
| was created for him, and that he has
been performing the duties Of building
inspector and practically holding the
office of building inspector. position
to which he could not be Illegally apt
pointed under the title Of assistant
building inspector.
Politics Played Big Part.
'In my opinion this terrible catas-
| trophe is directly laid at the door OF
! politics. in other Notwithstanding to
| mix politics with efficiency in office
and paying political debts at the cost
of the lives and property Of the people
of Sioux City.
"In my opinion politics had laid at
the doorstep of our municipality not
only the great moral responsibility for
| the lives and suffering of those caught
in this death trap, but legal respon-
sibility in damages so far as mercy
| can compensate for such losses.
"In my opinion this city, in issuing
a permit for such construction work
thru it's officers. or lack of officers
assumed the responsibility Of the safe
ty Of the work, and by reason Of. nc
| legally appointed building inspector
and failing to make an efficient in.
spection of the work and building
either before issuing the permit OF
after the work commenced. is legally
liable for gross negligence"
| Burial Of Victims.
Burial Of the dead began Mon day
when the body OF John Simmons. 81
| 705 Pearl street, was inferred it Mount
Calvary cemetery following services at
the Cathedral.
From that hour funerals continued
! and will ccnHnale for several days be-
fore the complete toll of the collapse
has been disposed Of.
Mayor Short announced that pub
lie burial Will be held Of all bodies un-
| identified by last evening. He te seek
ing names Of missing persons thai
families may be notified as rapidly as
more bodies are found.
Deeds Of heroism have been so fire.
| quent in the work of rescue as to be-
come commonplace. With the first
crash Saturday while the walls were
tottering and flames were breaking
out all over the wreckage, citizens, po-
licemen and fremen alike rushed into
imminent danger without a moments
hesitation. in response to the aSonized
cries from the victims in the doomed
buildings.
Property Damage $1o5, 1000.
The Ruff building, 1913 Fourth
| street. was valued at $4,000, and waE
owned by the Massachusetts Real Els
| tate Company. The original cost was
$50, OpO it is said. The lding wal
erected in 1872, forty-six years ago
Insurance was carried on the building
No estimate on the value or insurance
The stock in the Ruff drug store
was valued at about $4,000. Insurance
| was carried on the stock.
The chain grocery building, 400
Fourth street, was owned by the West
ern iowa Company. It was valued al
$4,000. The stock was valued at $12.-
600. Both are covered by insura nee.
The O. II. Patterson heirs are own
ers of the building occupied by the
Beaumont Braunger market. 401
Fourth street. 1t was valued at about
5000 Insurance on the building was
s3,5e0. The building was a frame
structure.
Fire insurance men see probable
complications in the adjustment of the
losses. Fire insurance covers damage
by fire only. The stocks of goods were
doubtless mostly ruined by fire ano
water but the building had collapsed
before the blaze started. The building
was in ruins before the fire began
There are plenty Of cases Of record, II
is said by insurance men. to indicate