The Washington herald., 1922-02-01
EXPERTSSEE PLANS
War Department Engi-
neers Join the Navy's
In Study of Prints.
SCENE OF CALAMITY
CLOSELY INSPECTED
Numerous Investigations
On by Federal and Dis
trict Authorities.

The District grand jury. upon
which rests final responsibility roi
criminal action in the Knickcr-
booker Theatcr crash. which cost
the lives. thus far. Of nincty-siA
District citizens. will begin its In
quiry before the week closes.
District Attorney Gordon. who -
directing the Investigation for the
government. announced last night hr
felt warranted in placing thu case
before the grand jury without
awaiting reports from his inyesti-
eating committee.
The government committee an
pointed 20 inquire int the causes
Of the crash and the Districts Of
hcial investigating committee set
Tied down yesterday to a thorough
eNaminat tiOn OF evidence connected
with construction and operation OF
the thcstcr building.
Three naval engineers appointed
by Secretary Of the Navy Dsnb,-
upon request OF Attorney C;cnera,
Daugherty. will be Joined today Ly
three engineers from the War De-
partment 10 be appointed by Sor-,-
tary u War Weeks to conduct tH-
investigation into the causes Of the
catastrophe for the Federal Gov
ernmenL
surveys 20 Continue.
The surveys Of this commftt.,
and members of the staff OF En-i-
ncer Commissioner Keller. Of ~.
District charged with responsibility
OF determining blame for the di,-
aster for the District government.
VIII continue with all possible spced
ana thoroughness throughout the
remainder OF the week.
completion yesterday Of the sur
Neys OF the physical SURROUNDINGS
of the r.<1ed theater in which ,,-.-c
trapped the ninety-six who los
tLeIr lives, and the many more nov
suffering in District hospitals VIII
De followed during the week ~
complete inspection OF all plans Tor
construction Of the building. meth
o1s OF operation. Inspection ana
nature of materials used.
The study OF all details n, ,b.
structure is expected TO bs rou,fn,
IN nature. but from The sever. s.,,F..
ot plans the District and Fedar-,
committees hope 10 reach concIr,-
slohs which will determine IN.
b,lity.
SOnHi'tees worked yestsrdav
0,. ths causes for the tragcdy.
onclals inaugurated plsrS
,t,-s, NJ recurrence cf the araIr
district building code Laws a.
VIII De Fiven In the matter ~, r.
eraI authorities from the ne,,.,
hent Of Commerce. and Tho br5id-,
10 be adopted may re c~-
tenoed throughout the nation I, a,
,.p elpt TO safeguard citizens ey-
~ "here from similar fate
No Evidence Revealed
Developments in tho i,,,.,-,.-
tion Of the oficial ana i,dc,..,-""
committees YESTERDAY rsucs
Neal any direct cause TO- IN. -,
or hits CT evidence which 49,.
IHlpilcate any parties coDDc,,r,.t
win the ruined thcater tcp5i,.-
10 show negligence.
engineer CommisSioncr Kill
declared he believed rs,,l,,. -
eIiSi was the only apparent csTs..
Ior the crash. lie said there ~
IL" evidence OF gross ncrlirruc,
Strlct Attorney Gordon aid IL,
i"uhd no direct evidence or pF-r.,
Eehcc. Tic was satisfied. hoW.rvcr
"at inc case should he pIarrd
"e hands OF the grand tur,.
su mus action alone indicates tho
attorney intends TO carry
70 inc limit any action again,
parties found in any wav 40 bs,-a
h"en negligent.
Witnesses before The .oro,.,.-
Jury. which will meet pev, r..
uaE morning 10 determine Tho
: cause OF the deaths Of ,bc q
''i"e VIII he summoned follovip.-
conference this morning hctwcc,
'roncr J Ramsay Nevitt and n
ll'" officials. Il is certain Coron,,
N"Nitt declared last night ina, ~.
owners. contractor. architect ana
an parties in any way conn,ctc5
WIN construction or operation ana
inspection or the building would
nc asked 70 appear at the In
puc>t IN addition 20 a number Of
Ni.nHSSes who saw the crash and
"iu'o IN the rescue work.
Materials BeiaE Tested.
fedctai investigators and mem
hcrS Of the District committee sur-
NcNinE the ruins. collected nieces
OF material used in the buildipr
and sent them TO the Bureau or
Standards for tests as 10 their
quality.
VI. heiier said there was a
possibility Of a defect in design
or construction OF the buiIdinl
which might be brought out. but
this could not automatically make
any person guilty OF negligence.
This defect might be such az would
pass in theory and could not he
detected by either architects who
made the design or members OF
the building inspectors ofice who
passed upon the plans for the
building.
No loss OF life could bc No.
paired or damage already done
compensated for In any way by this
investigation, but the lesson 20 he
learned through detection OF the
faulty construction Of the build
ing or designing would be St'p
forward in engineering, Col Keller
declared
Interest OF the engineering world
Us centered in detcctinE the cause