Evening star., 1948-01-07
Building Owner
Walks OUT on
Collapse Probe
Claims D. G. Officials
Seek q Seopeeoot;;
Ex-Junitor Testifies
By Jerry O'leory, Jr.

Nick Papanicolas, owner of the
Empire Building. and his attor-
ney-b brother, George Papanicolas,
withdrew today from participa-
ton in hearings into the build
ing's collapse and charged that
the building inspectors ONCE
and the corporation counsel's
Office were trying to place blame
for the collapse ION some one
other than a member Of tho
building inspection department"
The Papanicolas brothers walked
out of the hearing after Charles
Brown, colored, former janitor Of
the building, testified that Nick
Papanicolas told him-one hour
after the collapse-not to say any
thing about removal Of partition
on the first floor until the cause Of
the collapse was discovered.
The ex-janitor said the owner did
not specify what wall he meant, but
he assumed 1t was a partition taken
out early last year between the
kitchen and dining room Of q
restaurant that then occupied the
ground floor space.
Another Cut Disclosed.
The board heard disclosure Of .
hitherto-unmentioned cut on an
other floor, but in the same bearing
wall which had figured in earlier
testimony. The cut was brought out
as the board questioned WILDER Wall
lace, 1217 Russell road, Alexandria.
MIR. Wallace said the cut was
made some time after 1908 in tho
basement of the building after his
brother took over space in Good
acres restaurant for q cigar store.
The cut was another of those for
which the building inspectors once
has. no record Of permit.
The cut, according to Mr.. Wallace,
was made through the wall In the
basement. The entire wall extends
from the basement through the en-
tire building and previous testimony
concerned cuts through the same
wall but on the ground floor.
i Shortly after Mr.. Wallace's testi-
mony, the hearings were recessed
. until the wrecking company com.
pletes the removal Of debris from
the shell of the building. This, tho
company said, will require about
three more weeks.
! -Four persons were killed and II
injured when substantial part OF
the building, located at Ninth street
and New York avenue NV, coll
lapsed on the night of December is,
Acceptance of Hearsay Charged.
George Papanicolas charged that
the Offices of the corporation coun-
sci and the building inspector "di-
rected all their efforts to inject gos.
sip and hearsay" into the hearing
and permitted it to be introduced
before this board much to the detri.
ment of my client"
Before withdrawing, Mr.. Papini-
colas said he has prepared a letter
to the Commissioners questioning
the legality of the board.
II feel that some members OF the
board have sidestepped the purpose
and are trying to turn 1t into
judicial board, powers for which
were not granted by the Commis-
sioners," Mr.. Papanicolas declared.
The special five-man board OF
inquiry, is made up of Chairman
Stewart Beall, a civilian engineer;
Building Inspector Robert H. Davis.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Ches-
ter H. Gray. A. Hamilton Wilson
and w. B. Clemmer.
Subpoena Power Possible.
Corporation Counsel Vernon E.
West told reporters who inquired
that it was his opinion the COM
missioners could require appearance
at the hearing by subpoena.
He pointed out the Commissioners
had a statutory right to issue sub
poenas for inquiries into matters
under their Jurisdiction. r
Mr.. West added, however, that
Nick Papanicolas could retain his
constitutional right to refuse to
testify as to matters which might
incriminate him.
The board originally was consti-
tuted by Engineer Commissioner
Gordon r. Young, Mr.. West pointed
out, but he said a simple order OF
the Commissioners could establish
(See COLLAPSE, Page A-40