The Washington herald., 1922-02-15

tions q men Of the building. inspec.
Hesly explained that building in.
spector's qualifications as prescribed
oy the regulations were that he be
either a practical builder. engineer
or architect His pay IL $4,000.
Men empioyed as .eld inspectors.
he explained. were appointed by the
District Commissioners. .sometimes
upon recommendation Of the building
Inspector" Men OF either practical
or technical training were usually
selected. he said. although no deflnite
qualifications We're demanded. The
best men were assigned to territories
In which most Important structures
were being erected. he said. How
ever. through territorial assignment
Of the men. this could not always
be provided.
In his report Heaiy said he could
not reach conclusion.
In his report. which he read In
the jury. Healy says In part:
The thin concrete roof slab was
undoubtedly overstressed. To deter.
mine as closely as possible the ac-
tuai strength of the slab a test In
to be made by the Bureau of Stand.
ards. In my opinion. the slab
would not be materially affected by
contraction; and expansion.
After a thorough investigation 1
am unable to advance any positive
reason for the collapse of this roof
and the awful calamity resulting
therefrom: ! believe that the re
vision Of the building code. under-
taken within the past four months
for the purpose OF bringing It up TO
date and In accordance with the
latest standard practice. should
be completed with full consideration
Of the developments connected with
the disastrous failure.
with no intention of refiectinr
on the builder connected with this
building, believe II would be heiS
full and In, the nature of a SAFE
guard that those engaged in build
fng should, be required. before be-
Ing issued a license. to demonstrate
py examination their competency to
conduct the business in which they
propose to engage"
This damn thing Is going to
come down some day and XIII us
ALL" Charles e, wardweII, struc-
tural iron worker on the building,
7os Fifth street northeast, testified
he told Jack" Mcdonald, contractor
for steel work.
"T hope not" wardwell said
Mcdonald laughingly replici.
Wardwell further testified that
some of the beams on the west wal,
were set on The wall and with nc
more than foc. inrAes OF bearing
Low-Pay inspection.
John Richie. chief clerk In the
building inspectors Office, testified
that E. S. Curtis. who made almost
| daily inspections OF the building
while in course of construction
now dead. received a salary Of 81
Harvey Sheetz, 113 Eighth street
northeast, structural iron worker
on the building testified that he
heard a cracking noise in the wall.
while erecting steel and told the
foreman, William Carpenter. He
said Carpenter told him the walls
under the beam bearings were te
be fiiled with concrete.
How could this be done after
the beams were placed?" District
Attorney Gordon inquired
1T couldn't" Sheetz answered.
Joseph Younger. 1880 Berry place
| architect. testified to his expert
ences while in the theater the nighi
| of the collapse. He has just beer
released from a hospital. having
suffered severe injuries. He had tC
be aided in leaving the room be.
cause of his weakened condition
He testified his wife Is confined tc
;hc hospital and would be for foul
more months because of injuries re.