Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-31
PROBE CRASH AT
KNICKERBOCKER
NOW UNDER Way
TO Investigate Every Phase
of Tragedy Saturday
Night
NECESSARY TEST MADE
All Bodies Out. of Debris-All Social
Functions Postponed-Sixteen Nir.
ginians of Former Residents hiiled

Washington, Jan. 31.-The posi-
bilitv that the number of dead IN the
Knickerbocker Theater tragedy might
he less than 100 was seen today AFTER
the police had completed a rechecK OF
all names in the earlier casualty lists
and had made thorough inquiry cover,
ing undertaking establishments ana
hospitals. AS a result of their lnVeStl-
pat'on, it was thought the death hse
so far as definitely ascertalned no"
stood at ninetyfive.
Ten names in the lists heretofore
given of the dead were tentatiVels
stricken out pending more denn'Ce
knowledge of these persons. Inc Ten
had been listed as address unknown
and there had been no inquiries oy
relatives or friends for such persons.
These were: w. n. Crawford, Albert
Raker F. H. Hall, Paulus Lamby, l..
I, Lehler. Mr.. and Mrs. Russell Maine,
ID. n. Walsh, Miss NJ. f. Walsh and a
Mrs. DAVIS.
Washington, Jan. 31.-lnvestlga-
tion of the cause of the knickerbock-
or Theater disaster, which caused the
death of more than 100 persons, was
bepun today by several agencies OF
the District of Columbia government,
with the probability that the Senate
and House also might undertake eH-
haustive inquiries.
The Senate is expected to act to-
morrow on resolution by Senator
Capper, Republican, Kansas, calling
for an investigation OF the catas-
trophe by committee. Despite the
announcement of Representative Mon
dell, Republican leader, that the
House would not authorize an inquiry
until District Of Columbiaj officials
Nave concluded their Investigations,
Representative Ryan, Republic an New
York, charging that the collapse OF
the roof was due to faulty eonstruc
5tion and would not have occurred had
there been proper inspection, offered
a resolution proposing an investga-
ton.
District of Columbia commissioners
declared they would go into every
phase of the tragedy, which occurred
Saturday night when the roof.
weighted with snow, fell on an au-
dlence of several hundred not only
for the purpose of fixing the blame.
but, also guarding against possible
recurrence of such calamities.
Colonel Charles Keller, engineer
commissioner, after making per-
sonal survey of the wreckage, de-
ciared he believed the cave-in was
caused by a defect in material at
some point of the roofs support. He
stated, however, that it would be i'm
possible now to determine whether
there had been any defect in material.
Plans for the support of the root
Colonel Keller asserted, indicate that
the capacity for weight was greatly
in excess of any requirement in a
climate like Washington's.
Building Inspector Healey also was
of the opinion that plans for the
construction of the roof were sound
and practical, and that the necessary
tests following construction had been
met.
Preliminary to an investigation of
the disaster, the Federal grand jury
went to the scene of the tragedy
and examined the wreckage today
Witnesses will be called before the
jury without delay, it was said, in
an effort to fix blame.
Coroner j. Ramsey Nevitt. declar-
ing he would spare no effort to plac-
ing responsibility, requested Peyton
Gordon, district attorney, to ask the
War Department to assign expert
engineers to the task of determining
the cause Of the roof collapse. Mr.
Gordon said he would seek such as
Sistance.
Convinced that all bodies had beer
removed from the debris, the search
for dead was halted today by officials
in charge of rescue work which had
gone on continuously for forty eight
hours. The last body was removed
from the wreckage late last night
Inspector Healey ordered the walls
of the theatre raZed at once as g
safety precaution. Unfounded reports
that the walls had collapsed. killing
men IN the rescue party, We're spread
broadcast today, causing much ex.
citement.
Careful recheck of the dead indi.
Gated last night that if no more of the
injured died, the death toll woulC
be lO5. Reports that three additional
persons had died were, unverifed
This would bring the total to 10
with possibility that it might be in
creased by additional deaths. :
dozen persons in hospitals were re
ported in critical condition last nigh
although E. H. Shaughnessy, Secon
Assistant Postmaster-General, wa
said to be greatly improved. Nor
than 100 persons sustained injurie
of more than a minor nature an
were taken to hospitals.
The tragedy caused the postpone