Evening star., 1923-01-28

tion.
One outstanding fact, that was
almost Immediately noted and that
since in all the proceedings and
transactions called forth by the disas-
ter, was that the Office of the build
ing inspector of the District Of Co
lumbta was undermanned and over
worked.
Today, one year afterward, is pre-
sented a~summary of exactly what
has been done. legislatively, officially.
legally and in civic way, to prevent
the occurrence of another such hor-
ror. Washington IS often comforted
by the thought that "out of evil good
shall come" This is probably true In
this instance. The year that has
passed is not lacking in positive re-
suits. Many, however, are convinced
that the negative results far outnum-
Der the positive. The intention is to
help each reader OF The Star judge
for himself.
Preventive Measures Taken.
During the year four concrete
steps have been taken at the District
building to prevent another such dis
aster. They are:
A thorough inspection of all the
aters. schools and other places of
public assembly.
Remodeling of seven auditoriums
that were deemed in need of struc-
tural change by the committee that
inspected them.
temporary increase in the per-
sonnel of the building inspection
Office.
Acquisition of needed equipment for
the fire department and a decision
by Chief Watson to establish a spe-
cial rescue squad of flrefighters.
While these precautionary meas
ures have gone far toward reducing
trophe, the building inspectors Of
flee is still inadequately provided for.
District officials and public-s spirited
citizens believe there Is no more f1t-
ting way to observe the anniversary
OF the Knickerbocker disaster than
by reminding the legislators who
hold the city's purse strings that
most OF the men who inspect build
ing operations in Washington are re-
cefving basic salary of $3.50 a
year.
Allowances Small.
1t might be well to remember on
this anniversary that the civil en-
g1neers, or computers. who must
check the plans of highly competent
architects. receive $4,000 and $1,000
eacI-one at the higher figure and
two at the lower wage.
Another thought that passes
through the minds of officials of the
building office on this anniversary is
the small allowance contained in the
appropriation act for the transporta-
tion of inspectors in this era of un-
precedented building activity in all
corners or the District, Five inspec-
tors use their own automobiles in
covering their inspection areas for
the upkeep OF which they receive S26
month each.
The other inspectors are given car
tokens. but the amount of money the
n m mi StfNr,
IS. limited, and, consequently, in
spectors do much walking between
rides. Even If the allotment for car
tokens were larger inspectors could
not get to as many jobs on street
cars Es,as as , they could could in motor vehicles.
knickerbocker. Congress granted a
special appropriation of $4,000 for
the temporary employment of in
spectors and computers, and the ap-
proprla ton bill for next year carries
July l.
While these lump sum allotments
have aided the building Office to some
extent. the heads of that office know
only too well that they cannot be
sure of retaining efficient men when
those men know they are on a tenn
porary roll.
Summed up in a nutshell, the need
of the building office. is for re-
more permanent positions.
Seven Buildings Closed.
Within a few weeks after the
knickerbocker collapsed Engineer
Commissioner Keller appointed
engineers, who inspected carefully
the structural condition of theaters
and public auditoriums.
On the report of that committee
seven places were closed while alter
ations, directed by the Commission
ers, were being made. At the same
time, District officials went carefully
over all public schools, with partic-
ular attention being paid to fire
hazards.
The Knickerbocker experience dem
onstrated to Chief Watson the neces-
sity for equipping the fire depart
ment with acetylene torches, jacks,
oxygen tanks and score Of other
implements used in rescue work.
Through the Commissioners he sue
things from the surplus stocks of the
War Department. At the same time
he had transferred to the fire de-
partment from the Army a motor
truck carrying 36-ipch searchlight
to illuminate the scene of a fire or
wreck.
The chief is now engaged in fit
ting up a rescue wagon, which will
be manned by a crew of firemen
trained in handling rescue apparatus.
Representative William D. Upshaw
OF Georgia, whose niece died as a
result of injuries received in the
theater collapse, several times en-
deavored to get Chairman Focht of
the House District committee to in
troduce a bill authorizing an ap-
preparation for the relief Of depend
ents of those who lost their lives
in the Knick erbocker disaster. Ac-
companied by dependents of some of
the victims. Representative Upshaw
was given an Informal hearing be-
fore several members Of the House
District committee, but no action was
ever taken on this proposal.
an organization composed Of sur
the knickerbocker Relief Associa-
tion. was formed here in the early
summer to further the proposition
Of securing relief through congress
sionai action At one time it was
seek an injunction to prevent MI.
Crandall from erecting another the
ater on the same site. on the ground
tnat haa an old wall OF the Knicker-
actixitv noGKfr would u be used. Its latest
ttonnaire asking for data to serve as
a OASIS or memorial asking con-
gressional relief. wi
In In the Senate a resolution was Of
SdppeT or Kansas
January 80 last, authorizing and
directing the Senate District commit
tee to make a searching investiga-
iI,o1,,G fnon Of Il = the knickerbocker tragedy.
cont contractors and building Inspectors
rms resolution was reported favor
ably by the committee to audit and
tbntroI tbn the contingent expenses of
.ne Senate, and number of speeches
were made In connection with it. TT
was decided, however, to wait on
action by the District Commissioned
ana the grand jury and nothing ever