Evening Star Newspaper, February 15, 1922, Page 3

JURY SGORES METHODS -IN INSPECTOR'S OFFICE Verdict, Holding Nine Responsible for the Knickerbocker Crash, Says Special Quali- - |Lawyers Expect Criminal and fications Not Req uired of Employes. Severe arraignment-of the methods in ¢xe office of inspector of building of the Tmstrict is contained in the verdict of the wroner's jury into the Knickerbocker “heater -collapre, waich last night ordered nine men held for the action of the grand jury. The verdict found the collapse “due to faulty designing and construction and inadequate supervision and inspection,” and he!d all of the prin- cipals who had anything to do with the designing and erection of the building. They are, in the order in waich their names are written on the jury's verdict: Reginald W. Geare, architect, who de- signed the Knickerbocker Theater and who approved of the redesigned plans for the steel roof framing. 20 John Howard Ford, president Union Iron Works, successors to C. A. Schnel- der’s Sons, the latter of whom were con- tractors for the design. Ford designed the roof framing waich coliapsed. Morris Hacker, supervisor of city ref- use disposal and at the time of the con- struction of the Knickerbocker Theater inspector of buildings of the District. Donald Wallace, general foreman in charge of construction of the building for Frank L. Wagner, the general con- tractor. Frank L. Wagner, general contractor for the construction of the theater. Richard G. Fletcher, at the time of the construction of the theater gen- eral manager for the Hammet Fire- proof Company, contractors for the tile wall construction and the coa- crpte roof slab. Sohn L. McDonald, -contractor for erecting the steel roof framing at the theater. Thomas L. Costigan, superintendent of city street cleaning, and at the time of the construction of the XKnickerbocker computing -engineer in the office of building inspector. Costigan_approved the plans for the steel roof framing.- Julian R. Downman, engineer in the building department, and at the time of the erection inspector of concrete and concrete reinforcement. No Special Qualifications. The jury pointed out that there are no special qualifications for positions in the building inspector's office, and that the testimony showed, with one exceptfon, lack of knowledge of build- ing conditions and proper supervision of buildings erected here; it asserted the reports of building _inspectors were unintelligent, little or no atten- tion being paid to them, and no idea shown for checking up defects, “showing lamentable lack of appre- ciation of responsibility.” The verdict took cognizance of the mental reservations of witnesses, and recommended a thorough revision of the building code “with a heavy penaity for violation of any of its claus . Recommends Full Inspection. The jury recommended also that ail theaters and places where the public assemble be closed “and kept closed time as their safety is assured. 1 It also recommended that the fire| department be equipped with oxy- acetvlene torches and tanks, jacks, searchlights and such other equip- ment as can be used in emergency rescue work. ‘Approximately six hours were re- quired by the jury to reach its ver- dict, and another hour was taken in conference with Coroner Nevitt and TUnited States District Attorney Pey- ton R. Gordon to frame it, and an- nounce it shortly before 8:30 o'clock Jast night. Corridors Are Crowded. It was just 1:35 o'clock when the jury returned ‘from lunch yesterday afternoon, and Wiiflam Sehéneberger, district morgyemaster, . locked the doors to the boardroom of the District building. The corridors were crowded for several hours after this by spec- tators, attorneys for the various prin- cipals and newspapermen, awaiting the verdict. A flurry went through: the crowd about 3 o'clock, when a_knock came from the inside. Mr. Schoneberger opened the door. The jury wanted water. The first indication that the jury was preparing to hold any one came when, shortly after 4 o'clock, it sent{ out for information as to whether Wallace was living. They were in- formed that he was. J. H. Ford and John L. McDonald remained in the corridors for several hours after the people were excluded from the jury room. Ford left about 4 o'clock and DicDonald left about 6 o'clock, and returned shortly before the verdict was handed down. He was the only one of the principals present when the verdict was announced. Maj. Gordom Outside. Coroner Nevitt and_Maj. Peyton Gordon and Ringgold Hart, assistant corporation -counsel, remained out- side throughout the deliberations of working on the case since the acci- .dent, also remained. Immediately after the verdict was handed down Inspector Pratt was instructed Maj. Gordon to notify those affected by the verdict to appear with their counsel and bondsmen at the latter'’y office today. 1t was about 7:30 o'clock when Mr. Schoneberger was informed that the jury had reached a decision. and asked that Coroner Nevitt and Maj. Gordon ! be cailed to the room to assist'In writ- ing the verdict. Shortly after thesel two officials entered, a typewriter was sent for and the preparation, of the pa- per began, and at 8:40 the doors were opened for a presentation of the verdict. This took but a few minutes, and every {one left the building. All of those held by the coroner’s jury had appeared witnesses, except Donald ‘Wallace. Lasted Six Days. The inquest, which required six days, | was specifically Into the death of Mary Ethel Atkinson, ome of the victims, whom the jury found came to her death from a fracture of the skull, hem- orrhage-and shock caused by the col- lapse of the roof of the Knickerbocker Theater. A The six men composing the coroner’s jury, who sat on this case, were: M. A. Winter, C. J. Gilbert, R. C. Brown, W. W. Riley, M. W. Kelly and H. D. F. Long. —_— - CAPPER LAUDS JURY. Theater Probers Did “Conscientious Piece of Work,” He Says. Senator Capper of Kansas today ex- pressed the opinion that the coroner’s jury in its verdict on the Knickerbock- er Theater disaster had done a con- scientious piece of work. He said that apparently every effort had been made to fix the responsibility for the disaster which 'resulted in the loss of so many lives. He said that the Senate commit- tee to investigate the Knickerbocker wreck did not plan any further steps at the present time. AGAINST THEATER CLOSING T. W. Gilmer Believes Action Would Cause Hardship and Loss. To the Editor of The Star: 1t carried into effect, the proposed closing of all theaters and other places of public assemblage, pending inspection, would be the cause of great public inconvenience and fi- nancial loss. Perhaps it might be advisable to temporarily close all such places built since January 1, 1917, where the plans and materials were about the same as in the recently collapsed building. The public should be given all possible information on this sub- Jject as soon as possible. A surety bond for the benefit of any one injured. should in the fu- ture be required of every building contractor. THOMAS W. GILMER. WIFE SEEKS DIVORCE. Mrs. Lena Goffin Charges éruelty and Insufficient Support. Mrs. Lena Bell. Goffin in a suit for a limited divorce and alimony aghinst her husband, Louis Goffin, charges that he became 3o infurfated once that he “seized the baby's lcradle with which to strike her.” | | Other acts of cruelty are alleged, in- !chnung the locKing' of the door {against her. They were married at New Haven, Conn. December « 25, 1910, and_have three children. The wife also alleges that her husband, raking $100 per week. gives only $15 for the support of the family. Attorneys Raymond Neudecker and Ralph J. Kelley ap- pear for the wife. | DROPS 401 FROM ROLLS. | i Government's Reduction of l'.m-l ployes’ Force in January. The government made a net reduc- tion of 401 in its force of employes in Washington during January, ac- cording to the monthly report of the Civil Service Commission. The ac- tual number to leave the service lduring the month was 1,291, but 890 {new appointments were made. + The biggest reduction of the month i was in the Veterans' Bureau, where 240 employes were dropped. A bill to lower the lega] work day for women from ten hours to eight the jury. Inspector Pratt and Detec- hours has 'been iptroduced in tive' Sergt. Mullen, who have been!Maryiand. jegieiaturt, ERa SPECIAL NOTICES. SPECIAL NOTICES. THB REGULAR MEETING OF COLUMBIA | BOARDING CHILDREN—FATHERS AND YLodge, 174, I. A. of M.. will be he'd at Moo Garden Theater, Wednesday, Feb. 13, >. NOTICE TO THE CREDITORS. IF ANY, OF 1he Arlington Fire Insnrance Company for the District of Columbla—The said company, hav- been ving cree of the Supreme Court of th Columbia, passed in Equity Cause N 3 notice is hereby given to the creditors of said company. 1f any, aud to persons having claims Against it, to exhibit their claims with the vouchers thereof legally authenticated fo the subscriber at his oftice, 500 5th at. n.w., Wash- ington. D. C.. on or before Friday. the 8rd day 1922, otherwise the assets of said S mpany Will be. divided among ity stockhold- ers as provided by said decree and said cred- be excinded from all benefit of sald ot Y PLLTAM E. EDMONSTON, Receiver, 500 5th_st. n.w. WANTED— RING A VANLOAD OF FUR- e O York and . Philade CONSOLIDATED CAR FOR_HOUSEHOLD SO or - Cittormia about February 33th, educed rates.and quick service. Security Riorage Company. 1140 15th_st. G N HT PIANOS FOR RENT: GRAND AND UPRIG! IANOS FOR RENT: Kranich & Bach taken in as part pa: BTes Worct, 1110 G aw. #zd Emerson pianos. W- H. TURBERVILLE Formerly of Turberville & Harding Electric Wiring, Fixtures, Appliances, Supplies. 3719 Conn. Ave. N.!. Phone N»Mh 9407, Large and Small Printing Handled with speed and efficiency. “The National Capital Press! oD e Roof Leak? Our business is to make leaky Tell it to us, Roofs SOUND, R. K. FERGUSON, Inc. 1114 9tb St. Phone North 231282 Rocfing Experts. mothers can earn double salaries during hard times by boarding children for $15-320 per month_at CHARLOTTE_NELLIE DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL, 1333 Eye st. n.w. Com in_and see. . | PROPLE DESIROUS OF RIDING TO AND from their work in a closed car, driven by & careful young man, moderat Dhone Lincoln 6474-W. o ¢ Price should LADIES' AUXILIARY, NO. 38, KNIG, St Johm, Will give &' euchre. Thursc) - en. fuary 16, at the Masonic Temple, 8th aud SPECIAL TRIPS, N Florida. by auto, 14 a.;:-: Sone on,” by boat or mito, $04. o Bermuda, 10 duye. i&.wd'"’ SE 500 Bond bullding. 14th ang. . S, New Tork ave. as!and the & SEE LEAL TANGLE IN THEATER CA €ivil Trials to Bring Much Litigation. Lawyers of Washington -expect some big legal battles if the grand Jury shall’ indict any or all of the persons held by the coroner's jury yesterday In connection with the fal of tihe roof of thg Knickerbockér Theater. “They will be terribie cases to try, one distinguished local lawyer stated to a representative of The Star, who asked him concerning the relation of the coroner's jury to the grand jury, and the various powers of the §wo. Might Be Sued Civilly. If the grand jury should indict any of those held by the coroner's jury indictment. should be " for manslaughter, the indicted might be sued civilly for damages by those injured in the catastrophe. Then the injured would have to prove the cases all over again to the petty jury try- ing the case. Nor would establishing the liability for negligence be:.all— proving the amount of damages would be a big job. One man injured in.the disaster, according to this lawyer, has ot been able to sleep since. Every time he falls to -slcep he wakes up suf- fering from a nightmare that the theater walls are falling on him. To prove this to a jury would be a great task, the lawyer intimated. xt Step Up to Grand Jury. The power of the coroner’s jury ended with its verdict late yester- day, and the future fate of the nine men held by it for action by the grand jury {s up to the prosecuting attorney and the grand jury. When a death occurs the attending physician' must give a certificate of death in ordinary cases. If there are any unusual circumstances the coroner is called in. If he sees fit he may give a certificate, but if not he may call a jury to Investigate. The coroner 'is~ the modern “crowner” or crown officer of old English law. He summons -the jury of six men, an& puts the facts up to them. Action by the grand jury, how- ever, does not depend on the coroner's jury. Not Boumd by Verdiet. - The coroner's jury.sitting on_the death of Mary E. Atkinson, one of the dead of the Knickerbocker Theatér disagter, found circumstances which made the jury deem ft proper to re- fer the whole case to the grand jury, thus ending the authority of the cor- oner’s jury in this case. / The grand jury. according to law- yers, is not bound by the coroner's jury. In the present case future ac- ticn rests with the United Sfates at- torney, who will receive the results of the case from the coroner, and may 1efer the matter to the grand jury. Damage Suits Separate. Grand jury indictment, as the cor- oner’s jury verdict, would settle no dam- age suits. Those bringing suits, follow- ing the grand jury indictment, would have to prove everything all over again, it is declared. The grand jury can return an in- dictment, and the one indicted would have to defend himself. The future of the legal processes growing out of the Knickerbocker disaster is being awaited by the legal profession here with interest. PLANS FOR SHORE NAVAL STATIONS INDEFINITE Roosevelt -Unable to Tell House Committee Sizes of Cut in Personnel. The Navy Department is not pre- pared at this time to say what shore stations may be abolished or curtailed under the new limitation of arma- ment program, Assistant Secretary Roosevelt told the House navel com- mittee today. “The question as to what stations |may be maintained or curtailed is not of ‘direct importance in determining the exact strength of #4he Navy, Mr. Kcosevelt explained. ‘Tt dous not bear directly on the total enlisiments.” The main question to be coas'Jered, he declared. wzs the minimum per- sonnel required to ke2p the ircaty navy afloat. “You must have one man ashore for every two men afloat,” he added, “and it you have 60,000 men for the fleet you must have a total enlisted strength of 90,000, the figure named by Secretary Denby. Mr. Denby said he did mot consider all of the present shore stations essen- tial to the Navy under the new treaty conditions. Chairman Butler, in touching on the shore station problem, declared Mr. Roosevelt and others would remem- ber the influences which worked for their establishment, and insisted.that the same .influences for their reten- tion remained. “But as for: myself,” the chairman added, “I propose to cut them undeg the new bill and then stand from un- der.” ——— CALLS ON PRESIDENT. o Houghton; New Envoy to Berlin, to Start-in Six Weeks. Representative Alanson B. Hbugh- ton,-Rewly appointed ambassador to Berlin, together with Senator Wads- worth, called on-the President this morning to pay his respects. At the White: House it was learned that Ambassador Houghton plans to leave for Germany. in about six weel though definite arrangements have not_been completed. P — 1 YOUR OLD WOOD FLOORS DRESSED TO A very high polish, scraped or cleaned with ehe ical. No floors 0o bad. C. Bar- rister bla n 1457, e g METALS Cast Phosphor Bronze Bushj coLD l!OLLHpr'I'lm ROUNDS, “Shll‘lgs HEXAGONS, FLATS AND SHAET) GEAR CUTTING. MACHINE WORK. YOU REMEMBER oatioee et S0 E Strect W, Bookbtndiny uot .';':“ = g has anced in price Bow is the time to h azd I8t fime to bave it done.’ "Bring ja e, ROOF TROUBLE? Stove trouble — Furnace t. “Heatng and Roofing Expert; Grafton & Son, ¥3i: “Heating and Roofing Experts 35 Y. TR FTET nu‘g":_z__:_m and P ste. mwe o I Toronto 80t " SERVICE PRINTING Is more than mere printing—consult us. HIGH GRADE BUT NOT HIGH PRICED. THE SERVICE SHOP BYRON S."ADAMS, Faurans. “CONCEIVE THE IDEA | carace. OF SAFETY FIRST —To prevent a leaky roof let “ironclad Toofers” look it over and tell you what's wrong. 7 Roofing 1416 ¥ st. n.w. Company. Phone Main14. J ONE MINUTE'S THOUGHT WILL CONVINCE Jou that you should be saving scimerhini u will find 0o better place to save Building_Associatios, 2008 n.w. It pays 5%. Wi Woodward, Bec.: R. E. Claughiton, Doing Our Level Ber — & —to boost home buliding, dy RIGHT quoting Low Prices on i TYPB work, Wall Board, etc, “(i‘eg.. I'VL Barker Co., Inc. ave.: 1517 b Tel M: 1348, de STOKES SBAMMONS. 830 13th St. %@ . Get our estimate on factory- made’ Window Shades. 7% Snfj;lfld 7 g“nt ortgage Jnvest- in denopinations of loss to ewy Twvestor in 49 years ~%EHLSMITH Co. “7ounded 1873 1414:1416 1 Street, N. W. pending complction. ,rn.m-/l-'chm' N / fall, Verdict of Coroner’s Jury Fixing Theater Crash Blame Mary‘E.‘Atk:‘nson came tb her death on Saturday, Januiry 28, 1922, from fracture of’the skull, hemorrhange and shock caused by the collapse of the roof of the Knickerbocker Theater, 18th street and Colwmbia road, Washington, .the T’and jury. t ;vision of buildingserected .in the appreciation of responsibility. resecvation. ¢ its clayses. safety is. assured. (Signed) construction- and inadequate supervision and inspection, and we hold Reginald W. Geare, John Howard Ford, Morris Hacker, Don- ald Wallace, Frank L. Wagner, Richard G. Fletcher, John L. McDon- ald, Thomas L. Costigap and Julian R. Downman for. the action of is noted that no special qualifi the position in the offics of building inspector; that the testimony -of witnesses from the office: of building inspector, with one excep- tion, shows a lack of knowledge of conditions azd That. the ‘reports made by field inspectors were unintelligent and that little or no attention was paid to them, they apparently being made only as g matter of form and not with any idea of fol* lowing up erchecking any defects, It is also noted that many of the witnesses testifying in this case “have done so with much:evident unwillingness and mental . We recommend 2 thorough revision of the building code in the _| District of C_ollunpbxa, with a heavy penalty for violation of any of We also’ recommend that all theaters and places where the public assemble be closed and kept closed until such time as their _We further recommend that” the city fire department ‘be’ equipped with oxy-acetylene torches and tanks, jacks, searchlights and such other equipment as would be needed by a wrecking crew in an entergency, the lack of which equipment seriously handicapped D. C., due to faulty designing and cafions are essential in filling roper super- District of Columbi: .p s 2 , showing the lamentable lack of (1) ) 3) “) (5) R. C. BROWN, M. A. WINTER, W. W. RILEY, M. W. KELLY, C. J. GILBERT, H. D. F. NINE HELD IN CRASH OF KNICKERBOCKER GIVE _BOND IN COURT (Continued from First Page.) Toomey. Bond was furnished by the Commercial Casualty Company. Mr. Hacker was not accompanied by counsel. E. J. Stellwagen, president of the Union Trust Co., went on Mr. Hacker's bond. However, in this casc, it was necessary for arrangements to be made at Mr. Stellwagen's home, as he was said to be ill. ‘Frank L. Wag- ner, and his foreman of construction, Donald Wallace, appeared together and without counsel. Willlam T. Gal- liher, president of the American National Bank, furnished bond 'for both of these defendants. Mr. Costlgan appeared at the-office of Mr. Gordon this afternoon with his brother, Attorney L J. Costigan, and Simon Brosnan, his surety, and gave bond. Silent on Verdlct. None of the defendants, either them- selves or through their counsel, would discuss the findings of the coroner's jury. preferring to await the action of the grand jury. As they are de- fendants, they cannot be forced to testify at this inquiry. While the men as they arrived ap- peared to be deeply affected by the verdict, none of them appeared in any ¥ nervous. As fast as their bonds were arranged they hurriedly left the court building. Several of them spent some time in the corridors, however, trying to evade the news- paper photographers, but at every exit the camermen were waiting. Coming out in the face of the photo- graphers several of the defendants sought to evade being photographed either by using umbrellas or by step- ping behind men who were accom- panying them. Witneanes to Be Called. A number of the witnesses -who testified before the coroner’s jury will be called before the grand jury, Maj, Gordon s: The board of Army a Navy engineers, headed by . Maj. Kelly, will be called, it was indicated, as will other engineering experts. However, the grand jury proceed- ings are secret and none ol thy de- velopments during this inquiry” will become public. Only their findings are made public. While the defend- ants are held “for the action of the grand jury,” no specific charge “has been made against them. It was ex- plained at the district attorney’s of- fice that if the grand jury does hold } the rescue of the victims of the Knickerbocker disaster. ). nd | \ | any or all of them it win be for In- voluntary manslaughter. Capper Approves Suggestion. Discussing the coroner's verdict today, Senator Capper of Kansas, Auth6ér of a resolution for Senate investigation of the theater crash, sald that he believed the ' recom- | mendation of the coroner's jury to the effect that all places of omuse- nwnt should be closed until an in- { vestigation Fad been made to deter- mine their safety was a very good ceommendation. ‘Many persons in Washington since collapse of the Knickerbocker The- ater have been uneasy in regard to other theaters” he said. “I belleve that a fair {nvestigation should be made of ull these places so that there shall be no danger of a repetition of the Knickerbocker disaster.” = ' { Scnator Ball of Delaware, chairman of the District committee, also ex- pressed the opinion shat an investi- gation should be made in accordange with the recommendation of the cor- oner's jury, and that pending such an investigation the places should be closed. | | WOULD EXTEND TIME. President Harding has expressed his approval of the resotution to ex- tend the time under which govern- ment-owned radio stations may be used for the transmission of press and commercial dispatches, Senator Poindexter, republican, Washing- ton, sponsor of the measure said to- day. The President's views on the i bill were conveyed to Chairman Page of the naval committee in a letter which said: i “This is a measure in which the press is very greatly interested, looking to the promotion of a_better and more helpful exchange of news with the orient and the islands of the Pac i am_well convinced that the passage of-this resolution would be highly beneficial.” The resolution has been adopted in the House and is on the Senate calendar awaiting action. Senator Poindexter said he would press it at the earliest moment. TRAIN SIDESWIPED BY CAR. ALTOONA, Pa., February 15.— Iron City Express, on the Pennsyl vania railroad, leaving Pittsburgh at 9:30 p.m., and due in New York at 7:50 am. was sideswiped by a de- railed freight car west of here early today. No one was injured. accord- ing to railroad officials. New Yerk passengers were transferred to other cars that escaped damage. e KEEP UP RESISTANCE When resistance is broken down and impurities . creep into the blood from any source, health is endangered. The system needs nourishment to help build up the blood. \ Scott & Bowne, | 605-607 7th Over ) Over EMAN . 52530 535 .+ Final Clearance Price—Men’s and Young Men’s Models. In dark'brown, green, gray and blue.. Sizes 33 to 42. 820 The finest Coats in the city. Rich plaid backs, meltons, kerseys, chinchillas, etc. - Sizes 34 to 44. SCOTT'S EMULSION nourishes the whole .system and supplies the blood ‘with elements that tend to maintain its purity. For pure blood and increased body- Emulsion thrice - daily. and a well-nourished resistance, try Scott’s Bloomfield, N. J. 16-35a , = Bet. F& G S coats coats rs 10 Per Cent, Value b pess . for ; Philippines. . To asxiff e Philippine government in readjuf 4ts finanotal condition, Secreti Poeks will. recommend to ‘Congress it -the *limit .of indebted- ness of the government be rajsed to 10 per ¢cent of tax assessment val- uegipn In the tslands. Buch action, he said, would permit the deflation.of in- sular cu cy and other steps to Im- prove the: financial standing of the island oment. Read All the |LATEST FICTION For. zsc Per Book PEARLMAN’S BOOK SHOP G. D. PEARLMAN, Proprietor FOUR BANDITS EXECUTED. Shanghai Has Public Killing as Warning to Others. SHANGHAL February ll.—l"our‘ convicted bandits recently were ex-| ‘ecuted on the main street here at| noon as a warning to othess who have been plundering. in. the twe | foréign concessions of ‘the city. | Under orders from Gen. Ho Feng-Lin, Chinese defense commjs- sloner here, the four condemned men first were given a ride about the city | in rickshas. Then they were placed ' in front of a pile of sand bags, blind- | folded .and shot to death by four| soldiers. SureRelief FOR INDIGESTION 25¢ and 75¢ Packages Everywhere /- . A SCHOOL OF DISTINCT PURPOSE Through Lmiting itself to secretarial in its field. s tribute to your success. Classes Now ‘Forming Washington School for 933 G Street Only February 15 A = | 1 i H duced prices. i Park” Clothes, i & Co. ! selection as at any if | and the values Fine Suits | We're offering you a wonderful amount of value at these re- It’s not the tag end of a stock where you may or may not find something to please you. - Every 45 Suit i $22.50 Spring Union “Suits The material is a fine white mercerized lisle, of a weight suitable for spring wear. 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