Evening star., 1922-02-09
FAIL TO PLACE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR Apr OWING TI1EATER STEEL
Effort Made at Knickerbocker Inquest to
Determine Who Had Charge Of Inspec-
tion-Admits Change in Plans.

NESt - ~
Efforts to definitely fix the respon-
sibiiity for Inspection of the steel roof
framing in the Knickerbocker Theater
during the course OF the examination
of Inspector3J: r.: Downman, at the
Knickerbocker inquest Yesterday
failed. tssf
John Howard Ford, 1000 10th street
northwest, contractor for the, steel
work, admitted that he changed the
plans,> but said that the changed plans
were approved by the building inspec-
tors. However. he admitted that he
did. in the course Of detailing" put
in beams that were not on the plans.
but added that they were for the pur-
pose Of "stiffening."' a.
Inspector Downman was inter-
rogated at great length by Maj. Cor
don, United States district attorney
in an effort, to bring out just who was
responsible for the steel work. he
would not admit that he was charged
with the job. but said. that IN "a gen,
eral way" he was to watch the steer
work. He was a concrete inspector.
However, he said that he was not
subordinate of e. G. Curtis, the other
inspector on the Job, now dead.
Mai. Gordon tried to get from MIN
the point as to whether curtis was
the responsible party, but the qnes.
ton was evaded by the statement that
he did not want, to put tne Fespoh-
sibility on any one
At the opening Of the afternoon
session yesterday Coroner newt ass
ed John Ritchie. chief clerk OF tne
building inspectors office. when Mr.:
Curtis. who was one OF the inspectors
The witness said it was either Janu-
ary or June of 1918. which was after
the completion OF the building. he
was then about seventy-three years
old, the witness added.
What was his physical conditloh!
"surprisingly good" Mr.. Richie re-
A few years before death. Ritchie
continued, Mr.. Curtis suffered an III
ness. Later he regained his strength
for a time, but underwent an opera
ton, following which he died.
Questioned About Mentality.
The coroner then asked the witness
as to the mental alertness OF MT Cur
FOR a man of that age it'was little
short Of remarkable" said Ritchte:
He was efficient. painstaking and
conscientious"
Before the lunch recess District At
torney Gordon had asked Ritchie to
look through the report sheets Of Mr.
Curtis for reference TO the steel work
on the building.
In the afternoon Mr.. Ritchie stated
that he found no additional reference
to steel specifically. other than the
one he had read at the morning ses-
sion.
"Was there steel inspector also?'
the district attorney inquired.
Mr.. Ritchie replied that there was
kept track principally Of the prog
ress of the steel work. He was en-
gineering computer. and his work
was that Of concrete inspector. the
witness said.
1T means secured. as being safe. as
to something" said Mr.. Richie. in re-
sponse to a, request from Maj. Gordon
for a definition as to the phrase roof
secured" appearing on the reports.
He continued reading the reports by
date.
Report Notes Read.
august 16. See Mr.. Wagner in re
permit for cellar entrance protection u
II This note APPEARED on several saubse.
quent reports.
The August Fl report said: Notified
Mr.. Wagner that permit would not be
ISSUED for over five feet from projection
line"
August 25. 1917. Notified Mr.. Scot,
retaining walls" report notes.
So on through part Of September
there were nothing but stereotyped
routine reports.
September IL. Saw Mr.. Wagner
in re removal Of"
II suppose he meant retaining WALL
witness commented. after deciphering a
portion of the report
He could not make out a note on
September IS, expressing the belief
that it had to do with the projections
previously referred to.
On the back Of report dated October
%. 1915, were data for daily reports
On the reverse were notations tina,
walls were properly anchored and To-
:. The inspector made notations also
that the work complied with dimen.
siens required in the building reguia.
tions.
The data made on this report, he
said. were taken from the permit at
time of issue and kept in the inspec.
tors pocketbook until the structure
was completed.
81 Reference to Knickerbocker.
What is there on that report &c
indicate that the data referred to the
Knickerbocker?" asked Ringold Hart
assistant corporation counsel.
| 1t says, owners, Smallwood and
Cassidy. Address: residence, o. K.
Southwell,' it looks like" he com.
mented.
1t contained also the square mum.
bers.
That identifies it with, the Knick.
1 Afhnrkar2v To ~
'Yes, sir" witness responded.
Mr. Ritchie was then directed b,
Maj. Gordon to hand the reports tc
[ the Jury SO they could see the form