The Washington herald., 1922-02-02
Calls on Congress.

Without joining in any chorus OF
condemnation ii seems pertinent to
express an pnion about the Knick-
erbocker disaster, that the danger
OF great snowfall never was
thought of in its construction, and
may not have been thought of or
required by the rules and regula-
tions OF the District. The writer
is "snowbird" from Northern
Canada and has knowledge about
snowfalls. Skating rinks and other
buildings are common in Canada
where a roof covers from 75x100 to
l00xl50 feet and with a half pitch.
The accumulation of several months
of snow from six inches to fifteen
inches Is common. and this sort of
snow is twice as heavy as the
woolly snow that fell here last
mains uIheard of. Why, may be
asked? Because the rafters are
braced and bolted and direct pillars
from solid foundation support the
roof. To an outsider the conclusion
is that the Knickerbcker roof wa,
an umbrella to keep out the rain
catastrophe should come to Wash
ington in face of the indusputable
fact that the most skilful engineers
and architects in the world are here
is truly amazing. Similar imper-
fcctions in, other United States
cities have been traced to criminai
influences, but no one suspects that
here. Then what is it, Can II be
pure and simple greed OF owners
of the building to build cheap?
1t seems to the writer that there
exists political feudalism in
Washington that operates as a ne
cation to the most ncedful up-ro-
date necessities of the city. This
is on the part of Congress, that is
obsessed with the suspicion that
it's the aim of the various citizens
associations to milk tive Federal
Treasury for selfishness. basing this
suspicion % the old delusion that
certain wealthy men here featn-
cred their nests through this sys-
tenn. On the other hand the ma
jority of the business men and
other citizens who have lived here
for a quarter to a half century.
will tell you that Washington
would be UNIT to live in were it not
for the enterprise, devotion and
farseeing sagacity of these very
men that are charged with this
selfshness, because they advocated
and successfully carried through
the Potomac Park and other vital
sanitary improvements. Another
point of view is self-evident, name
ly, that a large number of Repre-
CnntativPS q viii
lagos and towns in the country
where the modern facilities for
health, police protection and other
things are not known In any ue-
gree. This is no reflection on these
countrymen, far from 1t. but per,
fectly natural. The writer came
over forty years in large cities. and
knows whereof he speaks. This
should cease SO far as Washington
is concerned. The conflict is most
detrimental to the city and discred-
liable to the nation.
We have at least one Roose-
veltian Commissioner in James F.
oyster. and 1t is. said his mate,
Mr.. Rudolph, is equally so. Now
when these two fine men demand
certain financial appropriations TO
protect the citizens of Washington,
1t surely, seems that Congress will
not persist in what may be the
cause Of a calamity that will strike
home to every citizen of the city
IL our water supply should give
out: IL our sewerage system Is in
adequate for a food that may fol-
low the melting of this snowfall.
IN n nlnnlh.,r~s ra
no exaSgeration in face of the
present unexpected, extraordinary
snowfall. Let the spirit of COM
mon sense, fairness and unpreju-
dice prevail,
ELIJAH Z. KNOTT