New Britain herald., 1926-02-10
Company Sends $500 To Firemen's And Poicemen's Pension Fund For Work Alter Crash.
Prosecutor Keeps Plans Secret -- Medical EX- aminer Knew of No Probe by His Assistant.

In statement isued today over the signature of President Frederick VI. Holmes, the North X Judd Mfg. O.. outlines the history Of the building which collapsed on Feb ruary 1, causing the death of eight employees and injuries to 10 other persons.
 In the statement is the assertion that During the summer of 1925, minor repairs to the skylights were found necessary and 1t was deemed advisable to eliminate the skylights and they were replaced by hollow gypsum blocks which were consid- cred light in weight and flreproof and added but slightly to the weight of the roof" The statement also includes the following: Contrary tC some reports that have been made, there has been no concrete added to the roof since originally erected v The building was constructed in 1908. The gypsum blocks and the concrete roof were subjects Of in uuiry by Prosecutor Joseph G.. Woods and the city building in- spectors.
 The company's statement follows: The foundry building which col lapsed during the recent storm was erected in 1903, by B. II. Hubbard Co.,. from plans of Griggs X Hunt architects, of Waterbury, Conn.
 Tn 1910 there was an addition erected at the west end of the orig inal building, by Torrington Build- ing Co.,. from plans drawn by Older shaw (s Mckernan.
 "rhe original building was 137 1t. Y 70 it., and the extension was Il 1t. 94 it.
 The steel work was furnished and erected by the Berlin Construction Co.
 "The walls Of the building were oi brick 12 inches in thickness under ,he windows. and 16 inches through he uilasters and were constructt1 in accordance with the drawings and specifications.
 "The roor was supported by steel trusses, and contained a monitor al inc center with Ventjlating shutters and glazed st.ylghts The roof deck of the original building was Of re- i1C0rccd cinlcr concrete and the roof on the extension vas Of mil construction.
 Contrary to some reports Una nave been made, there has been nc concrete added 10 the roof slnc' originally erected.
 "The soping skylights at eithe1 side of the monitor were 1V It. hlSh .,lazed with wire glass, set in gal yanizcl iron bars, when orlgllal'. built. During the summer ot l92' minor repairs to the akyiiShts Wer' found necessary and it was deeme' advisable to eliminate the skylght and they were replaced by hollow e,,.nsom blocks which were consid rrrd light in weight and tircprooi md added but slightly to the weigh of the roof.
 "The foregoing is the history o the collapsed building, and tn companys attitude is that Of vel coming any facts which may D brought out by investigation
 "T. NJ. HOLMES, President
 s1.oOO for Pension Funds.
 Checks for s50U were received tc Iay bv Chief William J. Noble Of th fire department and Chief Willai c. Hart. Of the police departmel rom North & Judd Mfg. Co.,, whic requests that the checks be cohIriA utod to the respective pehslo funds.
 The following 'etter atcompanle each check:
 Dear Chief:
 "We write to express the dee sense Of appreciation which We Te' or the very valuable services wh1c vou renderedto us at the time of ol ,ccent disaster. The spontaneo( way in which you and your depar ment responded to the need CT IT 7our is one Of the comforting fe' .ures of the catastrophe.
 We are pleased 10 enclose her with our check for $500 for the p' ice Firemen's Pension Fund In 1u her recognition Of our gratitude
 every truly yours,
 "NORTH X JUDD MFG. CO'
 "F. NJ. HOLMES,
 "Prcsi1ent."