Evening star., 1932-02-10
WILSON TEACHERS
COLLEGE ORDERED
ABANDONED TODAY
Continued From First Page

gineerS are preparing to make an eX-
haustive examination Of the structure
its foundation and underpinnings In
an effort to determine whether the
building may be repaired safely OF
whether it should be razed. The report
which was made the basis of today's
abandonment order was made BY
Harold H. Marsh. chief of the structural
division, municipal architects office
Marsh'S report, dated February 2, was
first regarded by others in the NUM-
cipal architects Office as ''unduly
alarming" but further examination
convinced the District and school au-
thorities they should take no chances
Recalls open Stream"
Marsh, who studied not only the
building itself. but the original blue
prints from which it was constructed
points out that the site of the college
was 'at one time an open stream, which
was filled in when the streets were laid
out" His report continues:
From an examination of the original
drawings which are on file in this Office,
the foundations were located on the
aforementioned fill, without any refer
ence to the original contours of the
derlying same.
The exterior walls have cracked and
settled unevenly, which is visible by
observation of the stone course of the
water table; lintels and rcullions at
some windows are cracked End broken
and IN one particular place the mullions
have cracked through for their entire
thickness, so that light and air can pass
through into the bIlildinp
THE corridor floors have cracked in
a longitudinal direction as a result of
this uneven settlement of the northerly
part of the building
Records in this Office show that in
1922 the Harvard street front was in
an unstable condition and observations
were taken until January, 1924, which
show that the building was then in a
constant state of unequal settlement,
but there is no record of any cracks
havir= shown in the floors.
Safety Held Impaired.
There is evidence Of certain parts
of the brick walls having been repaired
recently, but this in no way helps the
buildings. It is reported to me at the
building that doors and windows have
to be periodically adjusted in order
that they can function.
In view of the foregoing facts, the
north exterior wall on Harvard street
appears to have settled to such an eX-
tent that the safety of the building is
impaired. and a series of interna.
stresses is being set up, which are very
serious and quite indeterminate: and.
as every Gay the condition is becoming
more serious. there is no alternative
but to recommend that the building
be Immediately abandoned.
ITO underpin the building would BE-
difficult and expensive operation,
which can be done at cost OF approx
mateIy, say, $4,000. but it Is doubtful
whether the expenditure Of such sum
would be justifiable."
The report was signed by Mr.. Marsh,
who added the following post scriptus:
Since writing the above, further rec
ords have been found which show that
certain windows and other parts OF the
Harvard street front were rebuilt and
repaired in 1924, but this work today
is in a state Of disintegration. due to
the further settlement of the founda-
tions.
Copy Sent to Crane.
"A copy OF this report was trans
mitted the day after it was written,
FEBRUARY 3. to Jere J. Crane, business
manager Of the public schools, who.
himself an architect, has charge OF
school structures.
Accompanying the report was a note
signed by S. B. Walsh, assistant munic-
ipal architect, which asserted:
'Mr Walsh is of the opinion that II
the building is gradually vacated over
the period of the next three weeks
there will be no danger to the Occu-