The Washington herald., 1922-01-30
CONGRESS May ACT
Commissioners Resolved
To Learn Cause of
Theater Disaster.
FORCE OF BUILDING
INSPECTOR ACTIVE
MOndell Will Consult
House Leaders Today
On Possible Probe.

DStilct and congressional lead
ers will turn from the rescue work
in the Knickerbocker Theater ca
tsstrophe to an Investigation TODAY
INTO the accident which caused the
loss of more than 100 lives and the
manning of hundreds of other resi-
dents of the District in the worst
accident IN the history of Washing
ton.
Following almost twenty four
hours OF work in directing work in
the ruins of the building. District
commissioners and government Of
hcIsls centered their attention last
night on consideration of plans 10
determine the cause OF the disaster.
II was announced by Commits
-ioner Cuno Fl. Rudolph last night
that committee would be appoint
cd today by the District Commits.
sioners, acting under the advice of
Engineer Commissioner Keller, to
conduct a thorough inquiry into the
causes leading to the crashing of
the roof of the theater at Eigh-
teenth street and Columbia road.
House May Investigate.
Coroner hewitt last night ordered
that a jury be impaneled this
morning to conduct an investiga-
ton in an effort to place the blame
upon any persons whose negligence
might have been responsible for the
catastrophe.
Possibilities of a Congressional
investigation were intimated by
Representative Frank Mondell, Re-
the accident last night. He said he
felt there should most certainly be
a District investigation into the
catastrophe and he was considering
plans for a Congressional investi-
cation. The matter would be taken
up with House leaders today, he
said.
Building Inspector Busy.
: Building Inspector John P. Healy
said last night a thorough investi-
cation would be begun today by the
building inspectors Office in COOP
Grafton with three disinterested en-
gineers. The entire building ONCE
force has been on the scene of the
disaster since the roof collapsed at
$40 o'clock Saturday night.
The inquiry would seek to de-
termine the cause for the collaps-
ing of the roof. Healy said, and rec
concentrations would be made by the
investigating committee to District
officials following completion of
their survey. which he said might
continue throughout the week, due
to the thorough methods he in
tends to employ.
Although devoting practically all
their attention yesterday while on
the scene of the disaster to thoughts
OF rescuiug the imprisoned men,
women and children caught be-
meath the debris, all three District
Commissioners indicated they were
determined to see that the causes
for the disaster were determined
ana that persons responsible for
any negligence which might be dis
covered. suffer.
Keller on Scene.
No action was taken by police,
Acting superintendent Sullivan de-
eiaring last night that all actions
30 the part OF police In the matter
you'd be determined by authorities
who would investigate the accident
this week.
No blame has been set by sny
OF the officials who have been ON
the scene since early after the acci.
dent All opinions have been care
fully guarded but none of the Dis
trict leaders have attempted to re-
strain their feelings over the dis
aster. all declaring a sincere desire
to see the accident probed thor
oughly.
However. Engineer Commissio.. .er
Keller declared last night following
a survey of the scene that he was
anxious that a thoroug' investixa-
ton be made into the matter of the
construction of the building Col.
heller hesitated to consider sug-
gestions that laxity on the part Of
the building inspecting force was
responsible for the roof collapse.
lie intimated that as much cause
Ior tne disaster might be laid to
tne iauit OF construction as to lax
i'y on tne part Of District employees.
Building inspector Healy declared
last .night that all building regulaI
tons had been met by owners of
the theater In construction. The con-
struction wes entirely ordinary. In
spcctor Hesly said. The structure
was erected entirely according 10
building laws of the District He
pointed out that steel girders of the
roof were not anchored at the sides
as is the usual custom. This fac
tor. however, was declared fortunate
Continued on Pogo T,eo.