Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-01
GRAND jury TO
START THEATRE
PROBE soon
Awaiting Reports of Sur
veys and Other In
quiries Under Way
EXPERTS SEE PLANS
War Department Engineers Join
Those of Navy in Study of Blue
prints-Scene Closely Inspected.

Washington, D. c., Feb. 1.-The
District grand jury, upon which rests
final responsibility for criminal action
in the Knickerbocker Theater crash:
which cost the lives, thus far, OF
niIety-six District citizens, will begin
it's inquiry before the week closes.
District Attorney Gordon, who Is
directing the investigation for the
government, announced last night he
felt warranted in placing the case
before the grand jury without await
ING reports from his Investigating
committee.
The Governments committee ap-
pointed to inquire into the causes OF
the crash and the Districts official
investigating committee settled down
Yesterday to thorough examination
of evidence connected with construc-
ton and operation of the theatcr build
ing. :,
Three naval engineers appointed
bv Secretary of the Nary Dcnby.
upon request of Attorney General
Dauchcrty. will be joined today by
three engineers from the War De
partmcnt to be appointed by Secre-
tary of War Weeks to conduct the
investigation into the causes of the
catastrophe for the Fedora! gov
crnment.
The surveys of this committee and
members of the staff of Engineer
Commissioner Keller, Of the District
charged with responsibility of deter
mining blame for the disaster for the
District government, will continue
with all possible speed and thorough
ness throughout the remainder OF the
week.
Completion yesterday of the sur
vevs of the physical surroundings
of the ruined theatcr in which were
trapped the nincty-six who lost Their
lives. and the many more now suffer-
ing in District hospitals, will be fol-
lowed during the week by complete IN
spection of all plans for construction
of the building, methods of operation,
inspection and nature of materials
used.
The study of all details of the
structure is expected TO be routine
in nature, but from the severe study
of plans the District and Federal
committees hope to reach conclusions
which will determine the exact cause
and place responsibility.
As committees worked yesterday to
seek the causes for the tragedy, DIS
trict officials inauglrated plans to
Erevent recurrence of the affair
through complete revision of the Dis
trict building code laws. Aid will be
given in the matter by Federal au-
thorities from the Department of
Commerce, and the building code to
be adopted may be extended through
out the nation in an attempt to safe
guard citizens every where from a
similar fate.
Developments in the investigation
of the official and independent commit
tees Yesterday failed to reveal any
direct cause for the crash or bits of
evidence which might implicate any
parties connected with the ruined the
ater tending to show negligence.
Engineer Commissioner Keller de-
clarcd he believed faulty material
was the only apparent cause for the
crash. He said there was no evidence
of gross negligence.
District Attorney Gordon said he
found TO direct evidence of ncgil-
gcnce. He was satisfied. however, that
the case should be placed in the hands
Of the grand jury and this action alone
indicates the district attorney intends
to carry to the limit any action against
parties found in any way to have
been negligent.
Witnesses before the coroners
Jury. which will meet next Tuesday
morning to determine the cause of
the deaths of the victims will be sum-
moncd following a conference this
morning between Coroner J. Ramsay
I hewitt and police officials. 1t is GER
/ tain Coroner Ncvitt declared last
night. that the owners, contractor
architect and all parties in any way
connected with construction or opera
ton and inspection of the building
would be asked to appear 1T the IN
I quest, in addition TO number OF
I witnesses who saw the crash and
/ aided in the rescue work.
edefaI lHEcStIgdLolo anu iiSH''|
! of the District committee surveying
the ruins. collected pieces Of ma
terial used in the building and sent
them to the Bureau of Standards fol
/ tests as to their quality.
! Col. Keller said there was a pos
sibilitv of a defect in design or con.
| struction of the building which might
| be brought out, but this could moi
automatically make any person guilty
of negligence. This defect might be
such as would pass in theory and could
not be detected by either architect:
who made the design or members Of
the building inspectors office who
nassed upon the plans for the build
ing.
No loss of life could be repaired OF