Evening star., 1937-03-22

'SOAlbAlIuNO l. IpIll / II Sl dStsI
expert at that sort of thing myself.
If had thought my service would be
worth anything I would have been
there"
Shaw said he believed the school
board had not made a record of any
decision to use Parade Co. gas.
You believe, don't you, that the
company just didn't want to get COM
promised?' asked Capt. Ed Clark,
q member of the inquiry court.
I should think So" Shaw replied.
1T was not secret at all. We went
down and made the connection. 1t
was not buried deep or anything. The
United Gas Co. knew it positively.
We told them"
Did they warn you there might be
some danger connected with it?" Clark
asked.
IL was my understanding that after
the connection was made they said
there might be some danger. But we
saw through that. We thought they
just wanted the business. They offered
to make test for us one night but
didn't show up"
preliminary opinion of DR.. E. P,
SchoCh, University of Texas explosives
expert, was that accumulated gas
within the walls or under the floors,
caused the blast. The general con-
tractor for the school told the court
heating plans were changed from a
steam boiler system to individual gas
steam radiators for reasons of econ
omy.
In the heart of the rich East Texas
Oil fields, the school was reputed to be
the Wealthiest of its kind, with seven
producing wells on its own grounds.
Shaw came into court with a ban
daged hand, injured by a flying brick
IN the explosion.
Takes Cameramen to Task.
Il don't know what they want to
keep shooting these pictures for"
Shaw said to Mai CASTOR B. Howard,
presiding officer of the court, turning
his head toward two cameramen.
Maj Howard asked the photogra-
pliers to deSiSt
Then the major saw that Shaw was
considerably shaken and suggested
that the superintendent might have
rest if he desired. Stone Wells,
Rusk County district attorney, as
sisted him to a cot.
Shaw told Capt. Ed Clark, court
member, he didn't believe" the School
Board had placed the decision to use
Parade Gas Co. gas in the minutes
of their meeting.
Il would have to go far back for
some of this" he said. IT don't be-
lieVe we even put that in the
minutes"
Q. You believe, don't you that the
company just didn't want to get COM
promised.
Company Knew of Connection.
A. I should think so. 1t was not
q secret at all, We went down and
made the connection. It was not
buried deep or anything The United
Gas Co. knew it positively. We told
them.
Q. Did they warn you there might
be some danger connected with it?
A. 1t was my understanding that
after the connection was made they
said there might be some danger. But
we saw through that. We thought
they just wanted the business. They
offered to make test for us one
night but didn't show up.
L tell you, 1 really couldn't see
everything that was going on. We
had a janitor who was recommended
to us. We were told he could make
connections, etc
We thought he would be worth
something to us. He supervised that
really more than I could. 1 wasn't
an expert at that sort of thing myself
If I had thought my service would be
worth anything 1 would have been
there
Understood There Was No Objection.
Q. 1t was your understanding the
company wouldn't object to the con-
nection, but wouldn't give a formal
permit?
A. Yes.
@. Were you present when the