Evening star., 1922-02-01
EXPERTS MEASURE
SETTING Of BEAMS

The theory that steel beams in the
knickerbocker Theater roof were not
placed deep enough into concrete bases
was advanced today in the discussion
of the possible underlying causes of
the collapse Of the steel and concrete.
NJ. S. Rich. structural engineer in the
Maryland building, wno drew up the
preliminary plans for the steel work of
the ill-fated theater. when asked today
by a representative of The Star for a
statement as to conditions, replied:
Il have nothing to say"
1t is understood that two prelim-
mary plans were submitted to the
architect Reginald w. Geare, but it
is not known whether third plan
came from another source Mr.. Geare
could not be located today, nor could
Frank L. Wagner, the contractor who
built the Knickerbocker.
Take Mensurementx Today.
The general theory being advanced
is that the beams perhaps were not
placed deep enough, perhaps as little
as six inches. when eighteen inches
deep for placement would have been
better. Measurements in the walls
of the Kniekerbocker Theater were
being taken today by investigating
parties.
General comment today indicated
that the fat roof of truss design is
now in disfavor. it being stated by a
we'll known lawyer that this type of
roof "is bound to work loose"
II believe such roofs as that of the
knickerbocker are absolutely danger
Gus, and will be eliminated" this man
declared. 1.-The warmth of summer,
expanding the metals. and the cold of
winter. contracting them, in my opin-
ion. is bound to shake and unsettle
such a roof construction, no matter
how successfully it might have passed
preliminary tests few months after
construction"
On the other hand. it was pointed
out that the interior of modern
theater is kept at more or less uni
form temperature, it being necessary
to keep the temperature not over 80
in summer, in order to attract pa
irons. and not less than 65 in winter,
and that uniform temperature is
kept all night in winter, 1T being un-
economical to allow the large audi
torium to grow cold.
Thus the inside of the roof would
suffer no great variations of tenn
perature the year around. it was
claimed. although the exterior would,
of course, undergo the normal changes
of temperature in keeping with the
seasons.
Secuted by Engineers.
oue SHS llceT SCouteu the DellC1 ina
temperature changes could make any
material variation in roof structure,
pointing to railroad bridges in the
northern states, which must pass
through. in year, as much as $50 de-
grees. ranging from SO below zero in
the winter, perhaps. to as high as 100
degrees in summer
The theory that vibration had some
thing to do with the collapse of the
knickerbocker roof seemed to be gain
ing ground today. 1t was pointed out
that waves are caused by the passing
street cars. which, on 18th street and
on Columbia road, almost surround
the ill-starred building.
1t is regarded as likely that if there
is anything to the vibration theory.
as one of the contributing factors to
the fall of the roof Saturday night.
such terrestrial waves are the ones to
be considered, rather than waves
caused by any musical instrument.
such as an organ.
To suppose that certain note on
the organ caused one of the steel
beams to vibrate in sympathy would
be to assert that such a beam. i'm
bedded in concrete, had an exactly
analogous rate of vibration with a
comparatively fine reed in the organ.