The Washington herald., 1922-02-27
Maj. Gordon Plans to
Push Investigation
Of Collapse.
MAY FINISH CASE
BY END OF WEEK
Two More of Seven Closed
Playhouses Will Re-
open Today.

Armed Win Two 0eIdlleQ TepOEtS
naming faulty construction as the
cause for the collapse of the Knick-
erbocker Theater roof and the
death 81 ninety-seven persons. Dis
trict Attorney Gordon will present
evidence today before the grand
jury.
The grand jury will continue to-
day with the testimony of Col.
William Kelly. u. S. A., Engineer
Corps, the first called last Thurs
day. when the jury opened its in
vestigation. it was intimated last
night by Maj. Gordon.
Seeks Early Decision.
Every effort to push the investi-
cation to a speedy decision on tho
charges against nine men made by
the coroner's jury will be made this
week, District Attorney Gordon
said. 1t is expected the case will
be complete by TIE close of the
week. 1t is believed additional
days will be taken in reviewing
testimony if indictments are to be
returned.
Mai. Gordon indicated last night
tnat he would present the official
report of the investigation of the
theater collapse made by the Wash
ingtOn Chapter of the American In
stItuIe of Architects.
This report, coupled with the re-
port of the joint board of army
and navy engineers presented to
the cOroner's jury by Col. William
Kelly. U. S. A, Engineer Corps.
throws responsibility for the crash
rn faulty construction and design
ing" Twenty-one evidences of
faulty designing and construction
of the theater are named by army
and navy engineers.
Report Weak Places.
The architects reported there
were many evidencesf of weakness;
faulty details of design, and poor
connections"
The report of the architects. COM
piled by Municipal Architect Albert
l. Harris, chairman; Edward W.
Dom. jr.. and Frank Pierson, cor
roborates largely the evidence Of
the joint board of engineers.
The grand jury resumes its hear
ing today on the theater disaster
following two days on other mat
ters. and will be kept on the case
to the exclusion of all other mat
ter until it is completed. District
Attorney Gordon indicated last
night.
Two Thenters Open Today.
Two Of the seven theaters or
dered closed February Is by the
District Commissioners will open
their doors tonight. This brings
three of the seven back into opera
ton The columbia will open at
o'clock tonight and the Cosmos
will be open for the regular mat
inee performance this afternoon. 3
Engineer Commissioner X ell ! e r
personally examined both. of the
buildings Saturday and granted
approval for issuance of permits.
Extensive alterations to make the
two more nearly fiTeproof, in ac-
cordance with the new building
regulation adopted by the commits
Sioners were made in both struc.
tures and also in the National,
which opened it's doors last Thurs
day night
Alterations mt PeIfs.
alterations -iu the building to re-
move hazards considered dangerous
by the Commissioners in case of
fire. Further alterations in the
structural designs of the balconies
of this theater and of the National
will be made next summer. Tne
upper balconies of both theaters
will be kept closed. Polls is eX-
pected to be able TO open its doors
next week. Engineer Commissioner
Keller will examine the building
late this week. Repairs to be made
in the Metropolitan Theater roof
will keep it closed for several
more days, officials believe. The
Maryland and Forker moving pic
ture houses are being repaired and
both are expected to open this
week.
More Inspections Today.
Inspection of the twelve doubt
fur theater buildings reported by
! the voluntary committee of build
ing experts who recommended the
closing of the seven theaters to
the District Commissioners will
start today. Three men have been
added to the building inspectors
office to aid in this special work.
These men will later he placed on
inspection Of all old public build
ings in the District.