Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-02-02

tions to arrive at some idea as to the
nature Of the material and the cor
rectness Of the structural work.
Maj. Brown, like Col. Keller. is Of
the opinoin that the weight of the
snow had little to do with causing
the collapse Of the theater roof. Prob
ably no man thus far has spent more
time working amidst the wreckage
than has the assistant engineer COM
missioner. and, according to him, he
will make a report, written or oral.
to Col. Keller In the next two or
three days.
Report Next Tuesday. :.
Inspector Healy will make a pre-
liminary report Of his findings and
observations next Tuesday. 1t is ex-
pected that this report will show con-
clusiyely whether or not the original
plans as "O.K.'d" by the building de-
partment before the work of the con-
struction of the theater was started
were strictly in accordance with the
requirements of the local laws. These
detail. and, according to the building
inspectors Office. the mathematical
calculations and other methods Of
science being used will surely show
where there was any deficiency or
discrepancy in them.
When asked il he thought that a
lack in the number of rivets used
at the joints of the various members
of the truss. which supported the
roof. may have been one of the pri-
mary causes of the cave-in, Mai.
Brown stated. that while he was not
considered it probability. He ex-
planned that the number of rivets
dsed in connecting the joints varies
greatly according to the necessity to
meet strain.
In this connection Maj. Brown in
timated that examinations so far
might lead him to believe that in
several places probably more rivets
should have been used, He supple
mented this remark. however, by say
ing that this fact may not be borne
out in the final results Of the investi-
cation and 1t therefore could be con-
sidered now only as a conjecture.
Make No Comment.
No one OF the officials Of the District
engaged in this investigation would
make any comments upon the state
ments made by engineers that the
materials used in the construction
work were SO per cent deficient in
quality. Maj. Brown said that tire
District Is fortunate in having a num-
Der of naturally prominent construc-
and ability in aiding the Engineer
Commissioner in arriving at the prop
er conclusion regarding the cause OF
this disaster.
Among these engineers is Theodore
8. Condron. formerly resident of
this city and now q prominent engi-
neer at headquarters In Chicago. He
was In consultation with Col. Keller
for half an hour today, during which
opinion following a more or less
careful examination during the past
two days Of the material and condi-
tons at the theater. While Mr.. Con-
dron said he was not prepared to
venture any opinion at this time. he
readily agreed with Col. Keller that
the weight Of the snow on the roof
was only secondary.
Roofs To BE Inspected.
Az an extra precaution Col. Keller
has given orders to the building de-
partment to Immediately inspect all
roofs of the so-called unusual" de-
signs and constructions. such as was
used at the Knickerbocker. He ex-
planned that tho Knickerbocker roof
was Of an unusual construction be-
cause of the long curve on the Co
lumbia road side of the building.
Blame Material Used.
"The construction material in 1.-THE
fallen roof of the Knickerbocker The
alter was faulty" This is the opinion
which Representative William D. Up
shaw of Georgia says was reached by
q party Of congressman and building
experts, who made q personal inves-
tigation yesterday.
Representative Upshaw IL uncle of
Miss Caroline Upshaw, who is in q
precarious condition at Garfield Hos
pital.
Claiming that 1t is his duty as q
representative, entirely Independent of
personal motives. to see that the cause
Of the collapse Is thoroughly inves-