Evening star., 1922-02-06
|NQUE;STT0M0RR0W
ON THEAIER VICTIM
Authorities Finish Prepara-
!. tions for. Knickerbocker
Tragedy Investigation.

With the stage set for the actual
beginning of the first formal investi-
cation, which is expected to furnish
evidence pointing to a cause for the
collapse of the roof of the Knicker-
booker Theat4r a week from last
Saturday, District authorities today
we're putting the finishing touches on
the case as submitted to them for pre-
sentiment Of evidence at the coroner's
inquest. which opens in the board
room Of the District Building tomor-
row at 10 o'clock.
Coroner hewitt was in conference
today with District Attorney Peyton
Gordon, developing evidence expected
10 be brought out at the inquest to-
morrow. 1t was announced at the
office of the United States attorney
that the report submitted by joint
board of inquiry composed of Army
and Navy engineers: completed Sat
urday afternoon. will be presented at
the inquest. provided Coroner Ne
witt desires it.
Buildlng Inspectors Report.
The District Commissioners will
have before them tomorrow morning
the findings Of Building Inspector
Healy on the fall Of the roof of the
theater.- 49,.
Col. Keller, Engineer Commissioner,
said today the report is expected late
today or tomorrow. and in the mean
time the city fathers are marking
time.
If the Commissioners attend the in
quest tomorrow it will only be as
private individuals They have not
indicated their intention of being
there as a board of Commissioners
Detectives Mullen and Pratt, work
ing under the direction of Coroner
hewitt, today are questioning addi-
tional witnesses whose names were
submitted by persons asserting they
were able to shed light on the COL
lapse.
In more than one instance, it is
stated, Information came that certain
persons connected with the work of
constructing the building had had
Misunderstanding which put them in
q mood to say things prejudicial to
the manner of construction.
william Carpenter, 491 H street
southwest, who served as foreman of
ironworkers on the building, was
mentioned as one who might tell an
interesting story. He was question
GU W tuS uctSSllNeS anu utS story
was contained i'll declaration that
the ironwork on the building was
done in strict accordance with the
specifications.
Twenty-Four summpned.
Twenty-four witnesses already
have been summoned to appear at
the inquest tomorrow. They prob
ably will be directed to appear from
day to day until they have given
their testimony.
Three witnesses summoned today
were Ralph J. Frankhauser, builder,
3632 11th street: John E. Dennison,
ironworker, 1857 35th street, and, ri.
L. Davis, employed in the building
Inspectors ONCE. {.ssSss
Frankhauser has made a cansfSA
examination Of the condition of tie
damaged building. 1t is stated. and
will appear as witness In sthe role
of expert Davis is expectedste give
Dennison worked on the, building at
his trade. He ts expected to give
testimony to indicate that some of
the work was not what it should have
been. Detectives we're unable to To-
cate him today to get his statement
and 1t. was necessary for them to
leave tho summons at his home.
DETECTIVES Pratt and Mullen will
attend the hearing each day and be
cations which. may. be prompted by
the Testimony. and summon additional
.wifneases. It 10 expected that at least
fhirtyswitnesses will 6e examined.
s Coroner Nevitt was unable to sug.
-. 7fmfiHn9d on fSFe "A. Column 2. r.