The Washington herald., 1922-02-17
POWER SOUGHT
T0CLOSE UNSAFE
DC. THEATERS
Commissioners Say Some
Buildings Are Not Le-
90 gally Fireproof.
= contir.ed tron Pape one.

- COMMENCES Vom Fo0e Ohe.
missioner Keller and Assistant En-
sineer Commissioner Carey H.
Brown on revision Of the building
code.
The five field inspectors now have
an average OF $50 buildings in
course of construction to inspect
Their work permits an inspection
of each building about only once In
ten days. In addition to inspection
work they are supposed to cooper
ate with officials in revision of the
building code.
While actual revision of the
building code has been underway
for some time, high points of the
new code which will include
penalties for violation of clauses
have not been completely outlined
by the Commissioners.
First Tooth ASKED.
The FIRST tooth" to be placed in
the code was asked yesterday
power to close buildings in which
repairs are believed Immediately
necessary.
Col. Keller reaffirmed his state
menr that he was satisfied with en-
ployes in the building department
in spite of the charges levele6
against the men by the coroner's
Jury.
There will be no suspensions in
the building inspectors ONCE mol
will any of the men now employed
be removed" Col. Keller. said
speaking of the action of the jury
in holding one member of the de-
partment and critising all othel
members with one exception.
Speaking of the new Eastern
High school. Col Keller declared
the building was absolutely FIRE
proof and safe from any fire danger
or structural flaw as far as tn,
pl3as detailed. The statement wa!
in answer to criticism of the Con
nesticut Avenue Citizens Associa
tion which declared plans for tn,
new building violated building
regulations.
THE building is safe 1t doei
VI
the, District. / do not believe the
cost of changing plans aS>rn woult
be- warranted by any risk of lif,
involved. for there is no risk o.
Iift.' Col. Keller declared.
While the District Commissioner
arg formulating plans for safe
guhrdiRg the District from faulty
buildings, Congressional leaders arr
mS5kinE time. 1t was indicated thai
the, Senate District Committe.
would await the report of the grand
juIy investigation into the crash be
fots instituting it's own investiga'
ton.
a, District Regulations Hit.
representative Elliott w. Sproul
whose nephew was killed in the
rash. and who is an expert con-
tractor and president of a Chicago
contracting firm. fiayed District
luilding regulations.
-Conditions existing at the Knick-
crbockcr Theater, with respect t.
the bearings of the heavy steeI
structure on the walls. would never
have been allowed IN anothS citJ
the size of Washington, or in prac-
tica1Iy any city in the nation. Rep
re5Gntative Sproul declared.
The District must have a new
building code. Congress must de-
mand licensing of architects" Rep
resentative Sproul said. He re-
TUNED only this week from Chicago
where he accompanied the body OF
HID 16-year-old nephew.
District Attorney Gordon con-
tiuued plans for presentation OF
evidence in the crash before the
grand jury. The case is expected 70
reach the grand jury by next Mon
day. Five days of investigation by
this body are expected.
Members of the grand jury which
will investigate the Knickerbockel
Theater disaster Include: Martin
Mcouade. foreman: Herbert Herch-
berger. w. f. McReynolds. Edward
W. Mintee, Snowden Keys. Paul b
I.uFn. George c. Duvall, I. Henry
Henderson. Sol Minister, John Mil
lard. James II. Conroy. r. w. Bal
lard. Henry r. Stringer. J. f. Fer
Guson, George T. Harper. L. S. Lips
comb. John DonncIly, Philip J. Med
lev. William d. Leetch. Fred w
Kneessi e E. Langley. W. 3. Miller
end John T. Jones.