Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-04
PLANS CHANGED
FOR ROOF OF
KNlCKERBOCKER
Architecht Says Trusses
Were Substituted For
Beams as Supports
DUE TO WAR DEMANDS
Grand Jury Action Being Held up
Awaiting Outcome of Several In
vestigations Now Under Way.

Changes were made in the design
for the Knickerbocker Theater roof
which collapsed and killed ninety-siX
persons last Saturday night, it was
charged by Reginald w. Geare, archi-
tect for the theater.
The changes involved substitution
of material and design, which were
not called to his attention, but were
passed by the building inspectors OF
flee, Mr.. Geare declared.
Steel. trusses were substituted for
steel beams, and changes in designs
as a result were made, it was charged
by Mr.. Geare.. He said, however, ne
would not blame this for the collapse.
Engineers investigating the disaster
said the substitution of trusses for
beams should have had no direct cause
on the collapse, although consequent
notifications in design of the steel
supports as a result of the change
might have had material effect.
Maj. Carey Brown, Assistant En-
gineer Commissioner of the District,
who has been surveying the ruins for
the District Commissioners, SAID ne
had learned of the change in the plans:
He would not, say this change caused
the collapse of the roof. Mere sub
stitution of trusses for beams would
not have caused the collapse, Maj.
Brown said, as nothing has been found
directly faulty with the construction
sthe trusses in the investigation to
/ fdate,Fwhieh would have given grounds
for placing the era ash on this Majl
Brown saidsif the change from beams
Il, 10 "a tfusses III ehe stea plans shad. ea'is.s
ed a subsequent change in design OF
the steel plans, it might throw new
light into the investigation.
1t is considered by engineers work
ing on the investigation that the slip
ping of the trusses and large I-beam
is one of the dominating factors con-
nected with the collapse of the roof.
No official report of the investigators
has named the cause, however. II
this factor is found to be the primary
cause, it is considered possible that
the change in plans charged by Regi-
nald w. Geare, architect, may be the
dominating point in the approaching
grand jury investigation.
Mr.. Geare said he did not know OF
the change in plans until yesterday
He said he verified the change follow
ing a survey of the grounds and had
learned the substitution in steel plans
followed failure of the steel company
with which the contractor traded to
supply the steel called for because OF
the heavy demands of foreign coun-
tries engaged in war at the time.
The buildino was started early IN
the year of 1917. At this time, Mr..
Geare said, he had learned in his in
vestigation, the steel companies OF the
nation were working to the limit to
supply foreign countries engaged IN
war with steel.
Whether the steel was inferior in
quality to that ordinarily used in con-
struction of buildings by local con-
tractors working under his orders.
would not be charged by Mr.. Geare
last night. He said, however, ne was
having tests made of the steel and
other materials used in the construc-
tion of the building and expected a
report within three days.
In the substitution of trusses Tor
beams, as called for, the roof was lald
on built up pieces of support instead
Of solid pieces Trusses are supports
constructed from number of pieces
of steel riveted and bloted together.