The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-02-04

s Walsh and a. sAlFS. laws. y
Washington, Jan. se.-Investi-
CATION t,s the cause of the knick-
efbacker theater Disaster which
caused the death of more than
le0S persons. was begun today by
several agencies OF the District Of
Columbia governments with the
probability that the senate and
house also might undertake e1-
haNstive inquiries.
The senate is expected to act to-
morrow on resolution by Sena-
tor capper lRepublicaa) of Kan
sas. allinS; for: an investigation Of
the catastrophe by a senate conf
Eaittef Despite the announcement
by Representative Mondell that
the house would not authorize an
incuiry-suntit district officials have
CONCLUDED their investigation, Rep
r.scntsfiye Ryan of View York,
charging that the collapse Of the
roof was due TO faulty ,construc-
ton and would not have occurred
had ,herc been proper INSPECTION.
ofteFed q resolution proposing an
INVESTIGATION.
District Of CoIuufbla = commits
sieAers declared they would so into
every phase OF the tragedy which
occurred Saturday night when the
rcof. freisnie6 with snow, fell on
an audience of several hundred,
not only for the purpose OF fixing
the blame. but of also guarding
against possible recurrence of
such caiamities. Col. Charles Kel-
Ter. enginecr commissioner. after
making a personal survey of the
wreekase. declared he believed the
caFe-in was caused by a defect in
material at some point of the
roofs support. Hc stated, how
ea-er, that it would be impossible
now to determine whether there
had been any defect in material.
Plans for the support of the
rbof. Colonel Keller asserted. in
tlicate that the capacity for weight.
was greatly in excess of any re-
qulreulcnt in a climate like Wash
ington's.
Building Inspector Healy also
was Of the opinion that plans for
the construction of the roof were
sound and practical and that the
necessary tests following construc-
ton had been met.
Primary TO an investigation the
federal grand jury went to the
scene Of the tragedy and examin-
ed the wreckagc today. Witness
es will be called before slIe jury
without eelay. it was said, in an
effort to fix blame.
D. J. Ramsey Ncvitt, District OF
Columbia coroner. declaring he
would spare no effort In placing
responsibility. requested Peyton
Gordon. district attorney. to ask
the war department to. assign ex-
pert engineers to the task of de-
ternlinins tie cause Of the roof
collapse. Mr.. Gordon said he
would seek such assistance.
Convinced that all bodies had
been removed from .he, debris. the
search for dead was halted today
by officials in charge of rescue
work which had gonc on coDtin-
uously for 40 hours. The. last body
gas removed from the wreckase
late last night. Inspector iIcalv
ordered the wall Of the theatr..
RACED at once as safety precau-
sion. Cnfounded reports that the
walls had collapsed, killing ~snen
in the rescue party. were spread
broadcast today. causing much ex-
c.tement.
Careful recheck Of the dead in
dicated tonight that # no more of
the injured died the death toll
would be lo5. Reports that three
additional persons had died were
unverificd. a dozen persons in
hospitals. however, we're reported
in citicaI condition today al
though Z. II. Shaushness5', second
assistant postmaster general. was
said to be greatly improved. More
than 100 persons sustained injur-
les of more than q minor nature
and were taken TO hospitals.
The tragedy caused the postpone
u.ent today Of practically all social
affairs planned for the week. Pr"si-
dent and Mrs. Harding were TO
haze been the honor guests Of the
Ohio society at reception tonight.
but. at the presidents request. the
affair was postponed. Mr.. Harding
Informed those in charge OF ar
ranSements that he preferred to