Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-09
ARREST IS URGED
. IN BUILDING CRASH.
Oehmann Recommends Court
Action Against Forum
Publishers.

Court action against the Independ'
ent Publishing Co, publishers OF the
Fellowship Forum. for alleged viola
ton of the building regulations was
recommended to the Commissioners
today by Building Inspector Oehmann
following a preliminary investigation
into the collapse Saturday night or
the rear of the fraternal papers head
quarters, 3S9 Pennsylvania avenue.
u In a formal report tiled with Engi-
peer Commissioner Ladue, Oehmann
declared the firm had been eXcavating
the basement of the building without
2, hermit. Permission had been grant
ed only for the installation of motors
10 run presses, il was asserted.
Court Action Urged.
stTnder the terms of the permit as
issued" the report stated, there was
no excavation anticipated, ana reter'
fence to the corporation eounscI is
recommended for action in the Ponce
Court in accordance with the proVl'
'sions of the building regulations.
The building regulations provide for
fines ranging from 81 to 500 for VIC
ilation Of the section requiring owners
construction work.
Excavation Found.
Following a call from the Police
Department. l personally visited these
premises at $50 am. Sunday" the
building inspector reported. 1t was
found that the northeast portion OF
.the rear building had collapsed into
the alley, and rumors of bombing were
:. ~
Owing to the amount of debris 1t
twas impossible to examine the foot
ings or substructure of this portion of
sthe building. Later during the day 1t
gyas discovered that excavation work
WAS in progress, and upon inquiry l
was informed that the cellar floor was
being removed and lowered to accom-
modate new printing machines.
I This excavation was Immediately
adjacent TO the brick wall and indi-
Gated a possibility of the cause of the
failure Questioning along these lines,
1t was discovered that deeper exca-
walton had been made adjacent to the
fallen wall to accommodate a large-sized
motor used to operate a large press.
Await Removal of Debris.
while nothing definite can be de-
ternined at this time, owing to the
Inability TO see the footings or sup
ports of the building. this cause is
pnly q. possibility, and it's true value
can be determined only when the
debris is removed.
IN this connection, however, 1t Is
found that there exists no permit for
excavation at this location, nor is
there any record Of a permit issued
In the past two years, other than
to the Independent Publishing Co. as
owners, granting permission to in
stall 33 motors Of various sizes, ag-
gregating 20 horsepower, to run
presses, which work was being done
from time to time. This office
has no official knowledge of the prog
tess of the excavation work.
The report pointed out that "this
structure is built in two parts, the
bid original front portion, three
stories in height, being known as
jackson Hall and constructed about
lS47. The stories in this part of the
building. are exceedingly high. The
rear portion was constructed some
time later, date of which cannot be
ascertaified, and is five stories in
height, approximately the total height
bf the front portion, the two portions
nelng separated DV lne rear DTlCh
wall of the original building"
Plan Excavation Inquiry.
Oehmann explained later that prose.
cution, If instituted by the corpora
ion counsel, would be directed against
the publishing company, owners of the
building and applicants for the origi-
nal permit to install motors. The pro.
.eedings will rest entirely in the hands
Of the corporation counsers office. he
said When the ruins are cleared out
bf the foundation, careful examina-
ton will be made of the excavation,
with view to furnishing the corpora
lion counsel with all information avail
lble.
The building inspector today ordered
the remaining walls braced. prepare
tory to removal of the debris by house
Ereckers. Dangerous sections of the
walls We're RACED yesterday afternoon
with the aid of a strong stream Of
water from a fire hose.