The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-11-16
BALLROOM IS
SAFE, FINDING
OF ENGINEERS
Continued from Page II

room building have become so per-
sistent that the board Of directors
feels called upon to issue a state
ment based upon the reports of ex-
perts that the building is absolutely
safe.
Stories Called Absurd
1--WE are not certain whether we
have heard all the stories in circula-
ton, but some of them are that the
building was condemned, that pla-
cards were posted upon the premises
to the effect that people entered at
their own risk, that the ballroom
floor had sunk anywhere from four
to fourteen inches, and that certain
parts of the balcony in the theater
were roped off because they we're UNI
safe.
1.-The first two of these stories are
so absurd as scarcely to warrant an
answer. The building not only has
not been condemned but it has been
praised for its excellence of con-
Struction and design, by the public
building authorities and pronounced
by them to be absolutely safeA
THAT portion of the ballroom hoor
which is used for dancing was built
five inches lower than the concourse
or promenade surrounding the
same. 1t is in the same perfect con-
dition as on the day of the opening.
A very small portion of the theater
balcony, involving about six seats,
was roped off for several weeks, but
merely because this was the place
selected by our consulting engi-
neers for installation of device to
test the range of DETECTION usually
present in buildings of steel and re-
inforced concrete.
Tested by Experts
when the rumors and gossip first
reached our ears, we determined to
spare no expense in having the
building examined by experts in
whom we and the public could
have full confidence.
1.-THE device above mentioned was
installed by one of these experts and
though we realized that its presence
and consequent roping off of few
seats might tend to spread the
gossip, we left it there until the facts
were established.
THE experts whom we employed
are well known in their profession.
Each made his own Investigation.
independent of any of the others.
They have not even seen one an
others reports. All reached the same
conclusion. that the building is abso-
lutely safe.
Called Entirely Safe
Their reports are largely techni-
cal and lengthy and do not lend
themselves readily to publication in
full. They contain expressions such
as The greatest number of people
which can be packed into the the
alter and the ballroom can not pos
sibly load it up to the stresses for
which it is designed
~ want to assure you that there
is not the Slightest doubt that your
building is Structurally sound
I am pleased to say that I find
the structural design accurate, the
structure itself built, with no
sign Of weakness anywhere, and
therefore the building amply safe
for the uses for which it was built
The Indiana is designed and
constructed safely, and it can not be
overloaded by any crowd that could
be assembled in it.
ANY one sufficiently interested
may read them word fer word.
There never was any doubt in our
minds as to what their verdict
would be, because we did not blind
ly erect building representing
so large an investment, but had the
plans and specifications thorough
ly examined by competent engineers
before building began.
Vibrations No Warning
what so-called vibrations may be
felt in a building of this size and
character of construction naturally
is a fact. If such buildings were
strictly rigid, they would be unsafe
Our experts say that the exact cause
of vibrations in buildings has not
been established scientifically.
"All we know is that they must be
present. The purr of a motor, and
our building is honeycombed with
motors that operate our organ, or
chestra lifts, elevators, ventilating,
cooling and heating machinery
will cause vibrations.
1.-THE heavy notes of a musical in
strument, such as our organ, will
do the same. However plainly this
may be felt, the actual motion or
DETECTION in our building recorded
by accurate measuring devices does
not exceed one-f1ftieth of the nor
NAL allowable motion.
Others Are Maligned
Fortunately or unfortunately,
depending upon ones viewpoint.
ours is not the only theater building
that has been talked about in the
same manner. One of the largest
theaters in Chicago and one of the
largest theaters in Boston were the
subject of the same kind of gossip.
which, of course, was as unfounded
as that concerning our building.
Are Independent Units
Fright here it may be said that
our ballroom and our theater bal
cony, SO far as carrying capacity
and safety are concerned are as
independent of each other as though
they stood on separate parcels OF
ground. Each is carried separately
on steel and reinforced concrete.
1.-The fact that the ballroom is on
| the sixth floor is of no Significance.