The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-01-31

booker Theater crash Saturday
night.
deaths, IL Is not expected any suit
will run under $4,000.
The dead and injured list Of the
police department is not being gen.
orally accepted as correct. Early
this morning police announced
ninety.five deaths and later gave
out the number as ninety-seven, with
seventy injured. 1t is definitely
known that the injured exceed at
least 125 in number. Many persons,
who went direct to their homes when
injured, are not listed. 1t Is believed
that the injured list runs to IT'S.
bringing the total casualties to about
275.
Prepare for Many Suits.
themselves for the handling Of sew
eral hundred damage suits II was
intimated today by members Of the
legal fraternity that the suits would
be directed not only against the
owners of the theater and others
concerned with the construction,
but against the District Of Column
bia government as well.
Pointing out that the District was
responsible in that the Building
Inspector approved the building as
safe. several lawyers indicated to-
day that the Government here
would figure In damage suits.
Start Razing Walls Today.
The walls Of the Knickerbocker
will be torn down today. Con-
struction engineers declare these
walls should not remain up longer
than Is absolutely necessary.
Rumors that the four walls had
crashed and that the roofs Of apart.
ment houses throughout the city had
collapsed. continued to float about
this morning. None of these rumors
has any foundation. however.
4. II. Shaughnessy. Second Assist
ant Postmaster General. who was
seriously injured, was reported this
morning greatly improved. He Is
expected to recover.
Miss Carolyn Upshaw, niece Of
Congressman Upshaw Of Georgia, one
of the most seriously injured, Is also
said to be on the road to recovery.
She is at Garfield Hospital.
DIR. Gearhart Improved.
DR.. Clyde Gearhart, at the Emerg-
ency Hosp. tai. is said to be beyond
danger. One foot has been ampu-
tated, but physicians are endeavor.
ing to save the other.
The special coroner's jury, sworn
in by Coroner J. Ramsay hewitt, has
its investigation well under way.
Early next week testimony OF per-
sons who were eye-witnesses to the
tragedy, officials Of the theater and
all other persons concerned will be
taken.
1t Is very probable, according to
officials. that the action Of the
Coroner's jury may lead to the arrest
Of persons charged with criminal
negligence in connection with the
collapse Of the roof on Saturday
night.
Washington IL deep in mourning
today. In nearly every church fu.
neral services are being held. 1t was
necessary. in the case Of persons who
died from natural causes in the last
few days. to postpone funerals to
make way for those who were killed
in the theater disaster.
House Probe Not Expected.
Congressman Ryan or new YORK
has introduced a resolution In the
House calling for a sweeping probe.
This resolution was referred to the
District Committee, but no action
Is expected to be taken. House
leaders have decided the investiga-
ton by local and Federal authorities
Is sufficient at this time.
Civic and commercial organizas
tons were discussing plans for rails.
ing a fund for the relief Of victims
IN the disaster.
The investigation by the District
Commissioners and the Building In.
spector's office was resumed early
this morning. Plans Of the Knicler.
booker Theater are being carefully
scrutinized.
Major Carey II. Brown, in charge
Of construction work for the District,
is engaged in an attempt TO deter
mine whether the theater was built
in strict accordance with plans.
May Revise Building Code.
The possibility Of revision in the
building regulations doomed today.
Congressman Frederick ". Gilman